I’m an advocate for free things. Free with a sense of style, food free of genetically modified organisms, free ideas, and spirits. I also like my hair freed of elastic bands, clips or other accessories. However, there are instances when having hair let down is not the greatest idea. For example, when it’s hot out or when you don’t want it to get in a way during work or exercise.
Each hair type is different. Mine has always been on the thinner side. A hairdresser once told me it is hollow on the inside. I’m not sure what that means and would rather not think into it too deep. It just doesn’t sound pretty flattering. But, what the hollowness does is that it keeps it nice and curly. And curly, I’m OK with.
Possibly you think your hair is not growing out? Or, it is growing out but much more slowly than you would like it to. Nutrition is key. Try introducing foods to your diet that don’t hold on the slime in your body like millet. Foods that do hold on to lots of slime are mostly of cereals and even bananas.
Practical processes that help me grow my hair stronger include minimizing the heat to avoid damage and breakage. With my hair care routine, I found that rinsing it with cool water helps keep it vibrant and shiny while minimizing the use of products always helps it stay fresh for an extra day. I wash my hair twice or three times a week using hard shampoo and only conditioning it once a week. When I feel my curls are frizzing, I like to tap a little natural oil to their ends, so that it weighs the curls down.
However, when you’re not washing your hair every day, it is inevitable that it will collect some grease. Here are my goto looks when a second (or third) day hair sounds like the best idea.
Braiding it keeps your hair firmly in place. There are numerous tutorials easily found online. The only real hack is that your hair needs to be long enough.
I like to make mine look longer by creating a pony-tale with an oomph. Start with a pony-tale using only the bottom part of your hair. Then create another one with only the top hair. The bottom one will push the top one further off from your head to visually create a fuller hairdo.
When your outfit is nicely put together and you can afford to juxtapose it with a little more fantastic hair, a high messy bun is what you should go after. I find this one perfect for the second (or third) day hair. Pull your hair up high, tightly against your head. You could even turn your head down and pull it to the top of the head. Secure it with an elastic, I like using a scrunchy type as it doesn’t bruise my hair as much. Then get creative with the baby strands that stick out, either securing them with bobby pins or letting them shape your face.
I can be a DIY queen at times when inspiration strikes. I saved strands of silky, linen and cotton materials from other projects and used them to create hairbands I can wrap around the top of the head and tie at the nape of the neck like a bandana or a bohemian wrap. Soft materials don’t clip my hair and keep it somewhat in place, or at least off my face. Plus, the wraps work as accessories and up my style. If you’re at least a little practical with scissors, needle, and thread, I suggest you try it.
Now, I’m curious to know what are your go-to routines when it comes to hair care and styling.