MOISTURIZE YOUR TRESSES TO WEATHER THE SUMMER RAYS
When it comes to hair, I really can’t emphasis the importance of moisturizing enough. Your moisturizing routine or lack thereof can literally make or break your hair. Your hair needs moisture!!! And water equals moisture. In the past, we have been taught that water makes our hair dry and brittle. Now we know, that is so false. Your hair needs water.
As most naturals know, your tresses need moisture! That’s true for ALL seasons and one of the best moisturizers is W-A-T-E-R! Your hair will thank you for drenching it with H2O!
You should spritz and seal you hair faithfully every night, this will help you keep more of your strands on your head.
Carrying a spray bottle of your favorite spritzer concoction with you when you leave the house is a good idea! This will enable you to moisturizer your tresses after you have come out of extreme weather and wind.
Of course there is a down size to the extra spritzing that naturals know all too well and that is the dreaded shrinkage that will and can occur when spritzing your curls after you have styled you hair. A good idea is to wear a spritzable hair style that will allow you to add moisture throughout the day without sacrificing your hairstyle.
As A Side Note: If you have hard water, you can easily clarify it by simply adding apple cider vinegar.
Scarf it, or hat it! Two great ways to protect not only your hair but your skin from the harsh rays of summer sun. Use a protective style that will minimize you having to manipulate your hair. You can than bandanna or use a nice hair tie or sheer scarf that will allow the welcomed cool breeze waft through to cool off your scalp. Purchase a cute sinimay hat that is lightweight and allows your scalp to breathe.
I was asked, on Facebook by my friend Carmen, to respond to a blog article called “Opinion: A Weave is Not a Protective Style; It’s Just A Weave.” This article or blog was written by Black Girl With Long Hair on July 10, 2013, and garnered some adversarial comments, which was to be expected. I, personally, agreed with the writer and thought it a viable discussion.
At first, I really didn’t give it much thought but the photograph the blogger headed her article with was what really caught my attention. My friend Carmen had also sent me another Face Book suggestion concerning weaves and severe hair line loss and so I figured I’d jump right into the weave controvesy with this article.
The model has apparently dyed the front of her hair a bright Auburn (left photo) and combed her hair into a similar color-related weave. What is definitely obvious, with colors like this, is that the tones of hair color and the model’s textures do not match as well as a more natural 2 or 1b hair coloring. Putting this aside, is a weave a protective style. No, it is not!
However, it does use a protective styling method to accomplish its end goal of
creating an, as natural-looking, weaving style as possible. This is accomplish by cornrowing the clients hair to create a “smooth” and flat base on which to attach the tracks of hair to the client’s head.
Protective
chimeedwards.com
Adjective
1. Capable of or intended to protect someone or something.
2. Having or showing a strong wish to keep someone or something safe from harm.
Synonyms
defensive – preventive
We can readily agree that the information presented is about protective styling and we split off into other factions from there as to what constitutes protective styling.
I found a great definition from the Natural Hair Dictionary.
Protective Hairstyle (Hair Style) – This is a style that requires little manipulation, protects the ends of the hair by keeping them tucked away and allows regular moisturizing. Common styles like twists, coils, flat twists and cornrows can all be converted to protective styles by tucking or hiding the ends.
As many of us know, the natural hair community has been steadily expanding, evolving, and excitingly making change in our social and economic environments. This is where I first heard the term “protective styling.” Reason-being that African American hair tends to be dry and needs additional moisture to keep it viable and help to retain length.
mediumhairstyleupdate.com
In fact, more than likely, if you were to Google the term “protective styling” you will see a woman of color sporting an innovative twist, bun, cornrow, or swank hairstyle. This technique is used by the different natural hair textures as a way to keep the ends of their natural hair from becoming dried out, raggedy, plagued with single-strand knots, and constantly manipulated by styling combs, braiding, and pulling.
The primary purpose of protective styling for hair is to reduce breakage of your hair so that you can retain hair length.
Naturals, especially, have complaints that the ends of their hair are filled with fabric because their hair is constantly rubbing against their clothes. Hair getting caught in their jewelry, on chairs, in seatbelts, and suffering from drying episodes from being exposed to the climate or environment.
A few natural hair bloggers have included weaves as a protective hair option. However, unlike wigs, which can be removed easily and makes your hair accessible for upkeep, and true protective styling, You cannot properly take care of your tresses while hair is “covered” by a weave that is usually worn four to six weeks or longer. Yes, the hair can grow like weeds under the weave but what is the state and condition of the hair? You must also consider the amount of usual hair that has been shed, dirt, expiration and oils that have incurred while hair has been closed in by the weave.
The longer the hair remains under the weave, the looser your hair becomes, allowing room for unnecessary friction to the new growth. The hair can become “matted” when weaves are left in for long periods.
Moisturizing and maintaining the scalp by applying oils and water can cause the hair to become matted. The “tension” applied when installing weaves can be a great detriment to one’s scalp and roots. This can cause hair strands to be pulled out by its roots.
We aren’t even talking about the damage that is done to the clients who are long-term weave wearers.
Unfortunately, many women neglect effective care of their hair because the weave allows them the privilege to do so. Therefore, knocking it off the list of protectve styling.
Weaves Are A Styling Options
Weaves, of any textures, allows the wearer more syling options. There’s nothing wrong with desiring to wear one’s hair straight and flowing, and experience it flapping in the wind. Or, having spiraling curls cascade downs one’s back! Or to have a bounty of curls that can shame that of a lion! Undeniably, weaves are convenient, stylish, wearable and fashionable! However, a protective style, I beg to differ!
It should allow easy and quick access to your scalp to keep it moisturized and clean.
You should be able to maintain the hair/style with minimal fuss and manipulation to your tresses.
A Style that is easily covered at night, while sleeping.
Allows hair to breathe while keeping the ends tucked in or covered.
Effective Protective Styling
Weaves are a wonderful option, when taken care of your hair underneath it, for women of color. Whether the options are short, curly, or long and flowing, it sets the styling bar for women who even just want to give
their hair a “rest” from a period of manipulation.
Protective Styling, for naturals, is an option that allows women to wear their natural hair while doing their best to protect it from the reality of daily manipulation and the environment.
Weave wearing or protective styling is a choice for the individual wearer and each option needs to be respected. Short, long, curly, or added…hair is our Crown and we should wear it with grace!
As always, Happy Curls to You!
Leave your comments, pictures, or thoughts below. Love to hear from you!
You should spritz and seal you hair faithfully every night, this will help you keep more of your strands on your head.
