Crochet Braids #7

"I installed my 7th set of crochet braids earlier this month at 5 weeks post relaxer. I think this is my favourite install to date!!!"

I opted for braiding my hair with 12 braids going backwards and one horizontal braid at the nape. I didn't use any extension hair at the nape as for some reason my hands were not doing what my head was telling them to do. My nape is now longer and stronger than it was when I tried crochet braids for the first time last year, so I think it will be fine.

I started out the day with my first ever braid out since starting my HHJ. I stated sometime ago in my sidebar that I wanted to try this style when I reached APL - as the weather was nice and I'd gone to bed with braids in my hair the opporutnity to try this out came about - so I was all over it like a tramp on chips! The last two inches of my hair are thinner that I'd like so I will be working on trimming them away over time so my hair is back to the thickest part. It was nice wearing my own hair out but I don't know what I was thinking doing so when I knew I had to braid my hair ready for the crochet braid install!

Luckily my hair was playing nicely and didn't end up in a tangled mess as a result of the braid out. It was really nicely moisturised and supple. This is the braid pattern I used for the install. This little lot took me about an hour and 15 minutes. As mentioned earlier.I opted for 12 braids (6 on each side) with an additional horizontal braid at the nape. I then took the ends of the braids, covered them in Bee Mine Luscious and then using a hair tie I pulled the ends into a low and fairly flat bun. I prefer to secure the braids this way rather than use thread as this way is much easier to take down.

As always I started installing hair at the nape first and then working from side to side I installed hair on the braids closest to my ears then the next braid on top and so on and so on until I reached the centre braids. This method of installing the hair ensures that the hair is even in length on both sides as you will generally be using hair from the same section of the same cut pack, rather than a cut half from a pack which could be shorter. For one install I didn't do this and I ended up with one side shorter than the other. I also install an equal number of pieces of hair so I don't end up with one bushy side and one flat side. At the end of the install I go through it and add hair in places if necessary. It took just over 2hrs to install just under 2 packs of Aftress Water Wave hair.

Here are a few pictures that I have taken during the past few weeks of this install. As you can see I decided to add a little colour to this install and I am LOVING IT! The hair used is Aftress Water Wave in colours 2 at the back and F2/30 at the front. I will definitely be doing this combination again! I soaked the synthetic hair in a vinegar solution prior to installing it, as I am sensitive to the chemicals used on the hair during the manufacturing process. Soaking the hair in a solution of vinegar and water (I follow this with a soak in shampoo water and then a soak in conditioner water) helps to lift the chemicals from the hair which means after installing the hair it does not irritate my scalp. For upkeep I have been spritzing my own hair regularly with Bee Mine Juicy and applying Bee Mine Growth Serum with Sulphur to my scalp a couple of times a week. I have been applying Bee Mine Growth Serum or JBCO to my entire hairline and sometimes following up with Organix Coconut Milk Serum to reduce breakage. I go easy on products though as I don't want to cause buildup which could result in breakage when I take down the style in a few weeks time. On the synthetic hair I occasionally use ORS Olive Oil Wrap Set Mousse and/or Organics Olive Oil Styling Gel but application of these is probably once maybe twice a week as the hair needs very little maintenance other than a few well placed snips with the scissors to cut out any super frizzy pieces. I love this style as the older it gets the more real/natural the hair appears.

These lovely looking pictures were taken on wash day. GLAM or what eh?! Anyway, you guys have seen pictures of me with a bag on my head and a headscarf so the only way from that is up..... So, back to the point of thse photos, as my braid pattern includes pulling my ends together in a low bun this means that in addition to easy take down, I am also able to access my ends whenver I like so I can give them extra attention when it comes to moisturising and sealing and of course deep conditioning on wash days as I wash my hair when I'm wearing crochet braids. Firsts I go through the braids and seperate any tangles, cutting with scissors where necessary. I then wash my hair in two pony tails by applying diluted shampoo directly to the braids and then massaging in. I repeat the process with watered down conditioner but I also apply deep conditioner to my ends after taking down the bun consisting of my own hair. I finish up by cowashing the synthetic hair and rinsing out all of the conditioner. I then put a towel on my hair for about 30 minutes before spritzing my own hair with Elasta H2 Leave In Conditioner and then applying ORS Olive Oil Wrap Set Mousse, a little Organics styling gel to the extension hair. I then let it air dry for however long it takes.

This picture was taken the morning after wash day. I love that I don't have to worry about washing my hair whilst in this style, the only negative is that washing loosens the braids as my hair is relaxed and my cornrow skills are still in the developmental stages - it's a newly acquired skill!

If you would like to see pictures and read more about how I wash my hair when in crochet braids you can see this in a previous post written last year by clicking here. Also, if you are interested in seeing a step by step of my crochet braid maintenance then click here to see more.