7 ways to fiercely rock the braided protective style

I'm telling you right now that I have no plans on wearing a plain ol' boring bun this spring & summer.  Protective styling is a high priority but that doesn't we have to settle for the basic bun.

In lieu of the bun, I'm going for jumbo braids.  This style can work on pretty much any length and looks absolutely fabulous.  Would you like to take a moment and become inspired to find your newest signature summer look?

With all the options available, how can anyone get bored?  What I also love about this style is that it can last several days with little to no manipulation. This style also give me the option of wearing my hair in loose waves once I've unbraided.

 Let's all join me in saying goodbye to the bland bun.

My Review of the Babyliss Pro Steam Flat Iron

One of my favorite purchases from past Currently Craving posts is the Babyliss Pro Steam Flat Iron.  I had no choice but to pick it up on Amazon after reading all the wonderful reviews.  Before finding the Babyliss, I was contemplating getting a Maxiglide Iron but was a little turned off by the iron's teeth. I've used the iron about 5 or 6 times and so far I'm pleased.  Of the four flat irons I currently own, the Babyliss gets the most love.

The iron itself has a small reservoir (and a backup) that I fill with water. I've been using acid water (low pH) to help further seal the cuticle layer.  The hole to the reservoir is kinda small so I found that it's easiest to fill using an applicator bottle.

The Babyliss Iron has these retractable rounded "teeth" that are supposed to act like a comb to help smooth the hair.  Honestly, these things are so un-intimidating that my hair doesn't notice if they are up or down.  You can have settings on the iron to either hide the teeth, put them up half way or have them all the way out.  As you can see in the pic below, having them all the way out is no threat to my hair.

Then there are the steam settings.  No steam, low steam, or full steam.  I bought the iron for one specific thing only, the steam, so rarely does that button move from the highest setting.  I used the iron this weekend at nearly 3 months post.  This time I chose to do an experiment to see if the steaming action of the iron was really making a difference.  I straightened a couple of sections without steam to see the difference between the other sections with the steam.  There were a couple of differences, first, the number of "passes" of the iron over that section reduced from 2X to 1X.  Secondly, I didn't have to use a comb or brush (i.e. the chase method) for additional smoothing. Without the steam setting, I needed to apply additional tension to achieve straighter results.

Along with straighter hair, the steam also created softer hair.  Each section I did using steam felt a bit more moisturized.  The thing with flat irons is that they normally strip moisture from the hair.  This iron is employing ionic steam to help loosen the texture, heat to open the cuticle, then pressure from the plates to smooth the follicle.  Unlike my Caruso steamer, this iron doesn't saturate the hair with steam so there's no fear of my hair feeling wet or damp afterwards. Damp hair invites frizz. With this iron, there is no such thing.

I have absolutely, positively no regrets with this flat iron.  The only "negative" is that there are no temperature settings.  Instead, the settings are numbers ( I think 1-40). There may have been a manual that tells me what setting the numbers represent but I lost it so, for now, I just keep it at a lower number.  Next time I flat iron, I'll test the iron first with a piece of paper.  They say that hair and paper burns at the same temperature (451 degrees).  This iron goes up to 465!  So it's important to test before I use (especially if I place on a higher setting).

The temp setting thing is one drawback, the other is how soft and smooth your hair becomes after use.  This has the potential to give us a false sense of security about the dangers of using heat because steam is involved.  Truth is, I still limit the use of this iron even though it feels "healthier" on my hair than the others.  Steam or no steam, at the end of the day, it's still a flat iron and I need to respect that.  This iron is the second best hair related purchase I made in the last six months (Micromist is in first place).  Even though I love this iron dearly, I've still got my eye on a quality infrared iron as a gift for my hair in the future.

(pic taken months ago after one of my first sessions with Babyliss Pro Steam Iron. *LOW HEAT*)

p.s.  I just went back and reviewed the product video for my Babyliss Iron and learned that the iron does indeed have infrared technology! How awesome is that?!  That must be why I like it so much.

Is Infrared Technology the future of healthy heat styling?

Do you remember when, in another post, I mentioned the possibility of someday owning an in-home sauna?  That day hasn't arrived (yet) but while researching the options I discovered that most personal, in-home saunas use infrared technology to create heat.  Infrared is very different from traditional heat because of its deep penetrating qualities. It warms our bodies from the inside out.  This helps to increase stimulation and detoxification.  Most believe that infrared technology is far superior to traditional heating methods.  After learning this, I kept this little tidbit of info in the back of my mind for future reference.

Fast forward a month or two and I receive an email from a reader who I've been corresponding with for quite a while.  She introduced me to a "flat iron" called the Feather Flat. She talked about how well the iron performed at creating straight, silky, bouncy hair.  I researched the merits of this iron far and wide and came up with the personal conclusion that I didn't want to risk burning my hair using an iron that is heated using a stove.  All was not lost.  My appetite for a superior iron led me deeper into my search. Finally, I stumbled upon a new technology that could be the best thing that happened to the flat iron since steam.

This flat iron, ladies, incorporates infrared technology which could mean great things for those who use heat.  According to this site, infrared heat differs from traditional heat in that operates using longer wavelengths which will enable a deeper penetration.   Take a look at what KQC has to say about how infrared impacts that hair.

| KQC’s X-Heat Technology uses the longer wavelength from Far Infrared technology to generate deep penetrating heat. This penetrates directly into the cortex of hair cuticles, heating from the inside out. It creates an effect that relaxes and softens hair. The hair is heated evenly, giving a gentle fast styling in half the time thereby reducing heat exposure. Water molecules on the surface of the hair break apart into smaller droplets and get absorbed into the hair. Moisture is then locked within the cuticles to give a protective barrier to reduce chemical and bacteria build-up. |

I'm a little skeptical about whether heating the hair from the inside out is a good thing.  On the other hand, every time I use a heating tool, the bulk of the heat is directly solely on the cuticle layer (which is the most fragile part of the hair strand).  In the case of the infrared sauna, this inverted heating technique provides tons of positive health benefits.  Those who've tried infrared irons and shared their experiences/reviews have nothing but great feedback.  I'm excited by the fact that the cuticle layer is better protected using infrared irons because the primary heating method isn't directed solely at the cuticle layer.  I'm a sucker for technology so I am hereby granting space on my "currently craving" list for an infrared iron.   I checked out a few online which range in price from around $70.00 to $250.00.  Some of the higher end irons have glass plates instead of ceramic or titanium.  If I'm going to purchase yet another iron (I think I have 4 now), I might as well invest in one that will make the most positive impact.

I feel somewhat compelled to explain why I own so many flat irons.  Simply put, this plethora of straightening tools is the result of my quest for healthier options for my hair.  First is was the SEDU iron (which I still love), then I got one with titanium plates at a hair show (titanium plates are supposed to stay smoother over time vs. ceramic). Then I bought a tiny one for travel (which I never use).  Finally, I purchased a steam flat iron (which is my current iron of choice).  Although I have plenty, I'll always make room if another option comes up that better protects my hair during the straightening process.

I realize that I haven't done a proper introduction and review of my steam iron so that's next on my list.  Is anyone else as curious about infrared flat irons as I am?

Creating a soft, wavy ponytail in four easy steps

If all of my wildest dreams were to come true, I would be rockin' the biggest, most awesomest, curly ponytail on a daily basis.  Currently my ponytail is no where near its maximum potential but I still like to play around with curly styles from time to time in preparation for the day when the ponytail of my dreams becomes a reality.

Today, I'd like to share with you the wavy ponytail that I sport occasionally. I also seem to favor the curly ponytail because sometimes my boring bun just doesn't cut it.

Whenever I do any type of textured ponytail, from wavy, to curly, or even a braid out pony, I find that my best results come when I style the entire head of hair then sweep it all into a ponytail.  This works to create a much more authentic looking style versus if I were to put my hair in a ponytail first then curl the loose hair.

So here I am using my Caruso steam curlers to create the wave pattern.  Since the look I'm going for is wavy, I wrap the hair around the curler versus wrapping the curler around the hair using this method.

 As I said before, I do the entire head so the end result can have more volume.  The results just aren't the same if I try to take short cuts versus curling all of my hair

 Finally, I remove the rollers after only a 15 minutes or so of dry time, I pull the hair back into a ponytail, and finger style for the end result. This look is super easy to pull off and takes almost no time at all.  For tighter curls, I could have opted to leave the rollers in a bit longer and/or used smaller size rollers. Best of all, using the Caruso Steam curlers helps to elevate the moisture levels in my hair.

I just can not wait for the day when my ponytail doubles in size and length....

 

Help! I need to find an Amazing "Healthy Hair" Stylist

I received a really great question not too long ago from a reader who contacted me inquiring about a serous subject matter. You see, she's on a mission to find a suitable stylist. One she can entrust the care of her hair. My heart goes out to her because I remember the days of going from salon to salon disappointed from my experiences. Worst of all, my hair suffered while I was going through this dreaded trial and error period.

Although I don't have dedicated stylist, I will never forget my experience I had recently while visiting the Prive Salon for my MicroMist treatment. While there, I had the pleasure of having my hair done by Marie. By far, my experience with her was thee best I've ever had with a stylist. If I were one of those people who regularly visited a stylist, Marie would definitely the chosen one. And because of this, I will use Marie as archetype of what you should be looking for in a stylist that will move you forward in your hair journey.

Again, let me reiterate that I've visited many salons in my day. Some of the most memorable (and dreadful) memories I have include:

• One stylist postponed rinsing out my relaxer even when I repeatedly told her the my scalp was burning. When she finally did rinse out, she proceeded to use her long acrylic fingernails (not her finger tips) to scratch the relaxer out of my hair as she rinsed. I'd never experienced so much pain in my life. Even though I was a first time client, I silently asked myself what I could have done to make this woman hate me so much.
• After chatting it up with a woman who had mid back length hair at the Dominican salon. I learned that she made special requests to her stylist with regards to how they rolled her hair so that less heat was required to create the finished product. When I asked my stylist to use this technique on my hair, she looked me in the eye and flat out said "NO" without so much as an explanation and proceeded to do what she wanted with my hair.
• One time, I visited a salon asking for my bangs and my ends trimmed. Knowing there was risk of this stylist over-trimming, I came with a picture in hand of the results I wanted. Needless to say, she kept me out of the mirror the entire time and, hours later, I walked out of the salon with a bob cut and super short bangs (which looked nothing like the picture I showed her).
• There was a stylist who was so ruff with my hair during the blow dry, that she literally caught my earring during one of her strokes with the hair brush, causing my earring to fly across the salon. Honestly, when she showed me the mirror at the end of the blow, I was in shock that I still had hair on my head.
• One stylist finished my blow out and as I stood up to leave the seat, she quickly whipped out the scissors and began cutting. By the time I noticed and said something, she was already doing her thing. She then proceeded to tell me to "shhhhhh" as I expressed discontent for what she had done.

These were my worst accounts but there were many more mediocre experiences that really turned me off to salons and stylists in general. Needless to say, these scenarios were exactly why I decided to self-manage my healthy hair journey. But one thing I can give credit for is although the process these stylists used were some of the most unhealthy one could imagine, the end results were pretty much always on point. Even the lady who tried to claw my scalp off gave me nice flowing hair that lasted for weeks.

So what's a girl to do? On one hand, I want gorgeous looking hair. One the other hand, I want healthy, thick, long hair. I can say from experience that my hair never flourished while under the care of a stylist. My length retention was almost non-existent and thickness was something I could only dream about. So is there a way to merge healthy hair with great looking results that only a stylist could create? Yes. But you have to find the right person. So let's talk about what the right person could look like by using my experience with Marie as an example.

Marie listened:

One thing I made sure I did before I made my appointment with Marie was to meet her for a brief conversation. I showed up randomly yet she still took the time to chat with me about my hair. I talked about what I wanted and what I didn't want. What my hair liked and what it hated. And all Marie did was listen. When I finally stopped talking, she reassured me that my hair's concerns were her priority. From that very moment, I knew I had found the one.

Marie was flexible:

During my initial conversation with Marie, I made a host of "demands" that were meant to save both my hair and her time. For instance, stylists tend to wash my hair by massaging it vigorously like in an Herbal Essence commercial. Little do they know that doing so creates tangles that are almost impossible to manage. So I let Marie know that I would be washing my hair at home first and all I'd need her to do was deep condition and style. She was open to everything I suggested and gladly accommodated my numerous special requests. At one point during my blow out, I was uncomfortable with the brush she was using. I politely told her that I didn't like the brush and she immediately started using another tool after asking for my o.k. first. Needless to say, Marie's blow out was the most gentle I had ever experienced. Even at 5 months post, she still didn't feel the need to use excessive force with my hair.

Marie cared:

Seriously, I've never had anyone apply conditioner to my hair like Marie did. She parted my hair in tiny sections (like I do at home) and applied $60.00 Kerastase Conditioner like it was a cheapie pre-poo product. She didn't care that my hair would take up most of her day, she didn't care that she probably applied an entire jar's worth of product on my hair. SHE ONLY CARED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF MY HAIR. Just thinking about it almost brings tears to my eyes. This woman was so self less in her actions that I couldn't believe what I was experiencing. Other stylists would put some conditioner in their palms, rub between their hands and run their hands through my hair. This woman was willing to handle my texlaxed hair at 5 months post like it wasn't nothin'. I love her for that.

So maybe your stylist doesn't currently take the time to apply conditioner evenly throughout the hair, a sign of a great stylist is someone who is willing to do so if you request it.

Marie was knowledgeable:

Even though I gave tons of input both before and during the process, Marie was still able to teach this old dog a few new tricks when she showed me how to create straighter results at home even when I'm knee deep in a relaxer stretch. The difference between the good stylists I came in contact with and the horrible ones were obvious. The good ones talked about healthy hair. Aside from Marie, I could think of one other stylist that enjoyed visiting.Both of them shared their love for healthy hair as a premise for doing what they do. When you visit a new salon, listen to his/her conversation. Really listen and discern what they are saying. All stylist will use the words "healthy hair" in their vocabulary but do they mean "healthy looking hair", or hair that is truly healthy and thriving. If a stylist talks about healthy hair, ask them how they go about achieving it. You'll know because you may hear them say things that are familiar to you from reading hair blogs and forums. A knowledgeable stylish should be aware of natural products, minimizing heat, etc. The stylist should understand when the hair needs moisture or when it requires protein. You shouldn't need a deep protein treatment every single week. That may be a sign that your stylist might be a one trick pony. A good stylist should try to analyze your hair and use the treatment option that works best for your current situation.

Marie listened (and didn't judge):

I put listening down twice because of how important it is. Looking back at the examples above of bad stylists, one thing they all had in common was they didn't listen. Another reason why I didn't like going to the salon was because I was always judged on how long I waited to get a touch up or how thick my hair was or whatever. With Marie, I walked in with inches of virgin new growth, texlaxed hair, and relaxed ends. Although she made a comment about the textures, she didn't try to get me to go natural, or convince me to relax all of my hair bone straight to make it easier. She just worked her magic, with what I had, and made it all work out.

When she finally finished her masterpiece, the moment I had been dreading had finally arrived. That awkward moment when the stylist finishes her work and feels compelled to cut off inches of my hair. I knew that I would have to face this moment with Marie and I honestly didn't know how it would go. On the one hand, I was dead set against having a trim, on the other, I knew my ends weren't in the best of shape and a slight trim was exactly what I needed. Although I didn't want to, Marie assured me that she would trim only the minimal amount and held the mirror in a way where I could see exactly what was going on. Although I knew she wanted to take off a little more, in true Marie fashion, she restrained herself and only trimmed the bare minimum which made us both happy.

I'm sharing this experience so hopefully you will get to know the traits that great "healthy hair" stylists share. If I moved to another state and had to find someone like Marie all over again, the one thing I would do differently would be to have that initial conversation with each stylist before I schedule my appointment so I get a better understanding of his/her philosophy on hair care and their definition of healthy hair and how to create it. Are they willing to listen to me and work with, not against me, to further my hair journey? Is their advice sound and does it makes sense? Are they willing to invest their time to create amazing results? If the answer to these questions is yes, then congratulations you may have found your very own "Marie."