Hair Year Round Up

WOW, so another year has already gone by. It's been an eventful year to say the least, not much in the way of hair though. I'll explain.

To be honest, I've found it worked out better if I just left my hair alone this year. For the most part, I had twists, yarn twists (y'all know how those turned out ... itching n' itching some more. I'm still mad at that, but that's another thread altogether) or bunned. I can safely say that I've made it past BSL despite having cut off quite a bit around this time last year.

Despite regular haircare routines having been helpful in the past, I just don't see an absolute need for them anymore. My hair thrives without them. I'm not saying that it would not probably have thrived even more, it totally could've. But it's thrived never-the-less and I'm satisfied with that. Perhaps now that things have settled down, I may pick up a routine again. However, at the moment:

I hardly DC, maybe once every 3-4 months.
I now wash once every 2 weeks - 1 month.
Moisturizing maybe 1-2 times a month.

I pretty much just do whatever whenever. It's been largely due to the crazy number of work hours I've been doing. When I do have time off, hair is the last thing on my mind.

I'm still determined to grow longer and will continue to protective style. Since the yarn braids or yarn twists didn't work out for me,I think I may try the marley braids two strand twists. Here's to no itching in 2012!

Happy New Year everybody!!

The Yarn Braids and Itching Saga Continues

I HAD to take them out. My scalp was itching like there was no tomorrow. It was getting a bit ridiculous and I was also getting white bits in there ... most likely dandruff.

Since taking down the yarn braids, I've been bunning. I must say though, that the itching has reduced dramatically. Still itching, but not nearly as bad. Ok, so what gives? *puts problem solving had on*

What I've tried so far:

Changing shampoos - I've tried Cream of Nature, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, Natural Look Clarifying Shampoo and Lacura Nourishing Shampoo (SLS free). Lacura has been the best so far, it really has helped and my scalp is not itching 2 mins after jumping out of the shower. While Lacura helped, the itching continued.

Oiling my scalp - I thought maybe my scalp was dry. Dry scalp can be itchy and dandruffy. That didn't work either.

Changing yarn brands - Nada.

Removed yarn twists - The itching seems to have subsided somewhat after taking out the twists ... So I'm assuming that since I tried the first 3 things before taking the braids out this time round, and they didn't work, it may be something to do with yarn, period. Let me know if my logic is flawed.

So now the question remains. What is it about the yarn that would make my scalp itch? I have often asked myself whether the dyes/chemicals used on the wool may cause problems. I know on the Crown and Glory website Robin suggests soaking hair extensions before use in a vinegar/ water mixture, to remove an alkaline base that coats the extension. To be honest, I don't know whether there is an alkaline base that coats extensions, but I know for a fact that most do have some sort of film that can be removed by that method. There are some who claim that removing this film makes a difference to scalp irritation.

While I don't know the mechanism behind it, I just wonder whether a similar principle could apply to yarn. I use acrylic yarn, which I know is most commonly dyed with basic (alkaline dyes). I have mentioned before that I would try soaking the yarn first before braiding, but I just never followed through. Hmmpf.

Although I've had a bit of a rough time with yarn twists recently, I really don't want to give up on them. They are so gentle on my hair and have made retaining length a breeze. They are excellent for my edges too.

So one more try, with this soaking method ... that will be the deciding factor as to whether I continue to use yarn or not. I'll make sure to take pics or make a video about the process.

Any suggests would be helpful ladies. Don't be shy to pitch in!

Freshening up Yarn Twists - The Undoing and Redoing Part 1

It's that time again. My yarn twists are starting to look a tad worse for wear, so I've decided to freshen them up. A few posts ago I let you in on how I redo yarn braids. I'm using the same method for my yarn twists.

So I've redone half my head and will do the other half next weekend. So far this is what I've learnt.

• Undoing yarn twists is a breeze!! So perfect for those bereft of time to spend on hair, or the lazy : ). When doing yarn twists, I braid at the root then start twisting. So when I'm undoing them, the yarn pretty much unravels until the small braided section. It takes about 15 seconds to undo that section, and I'm done! In terms of time consumption, yarn twists are winning.

• Seeing as the hair and yarn are twisted, this could potentially turn into knots and breakage central. Especially if you're natural. When you get to the roots, just be cautious and focus more on working the hair out of the yarn, rather than whipping the yarn out. Untwisting each strand of yarn or each piece of hair individually may work when you see a tangle forming.
  

I hope those two points help someone. I'd really love to get more suggestions if anyone has some, I'm still learning : )

Yarn Braids or Yarn Twists and Itching

I really don't know what it is. But lately, when I have yarn anything in my hair, I get this insatiable itching. It's really getting on my nerves now.

Yes people, I do wash my hair. Even though, my scalp will begin to itch a few hours after the wash. I use shampoo and I've changed shampoos. I've tried apple cider vinegar rinses. Nothing doing.

The only thing that's worked so far is using a clarifying shampoo. The itching is quelled for approximately a week. I really don't want to wash my hair with clarifying shampoo weekly. No way, Jose.

What gives UHCers?? Anyone experiencing the same thing with yarn? Any suggestions?

Yarn Twists - Styling and Accessorizing Yarn Twists

In my last post I bemoaned my yarn twists "just not looking great." Well, a reader - KayTee- stopped by and encouraged me to try styling and accessorizing the yarn twists. Brilliant idea! Thanks KayTee!

Welp, here's what happened:

I bunned, I'm not ready to wear these babies down yet. I know what you're thinking. "Errmm, you were bunning in the last yarn twists post, Urban." But look guys, I put in a cute flower!! *proud face*


But wait, there's more!! I had a side-swoop, bang-type thing going on at the front:


I know it doesn't seem like much, but I'm a really 'low maintainance' type of girl. I don't wear makeup and usually just wear hairstyles that are convenient. I'm usually one to just tie back yarn braids. So I'm really stoked to be trying out different styles.

This style looked nice. It's simple, but still manages to add a little spice to my, generally smart but simplistic, everyday coporate look.

I've also just discovered an entire draw of styling bits and bobs, from years ago, that I had forgotten about. Let the yarn twist styling games begin!