Pages

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Protective Style Update

I did a sew-in to help give me and my hair a break; we both needed it, he has been giving me a little attitude! This is my 3rd time getting a sew-in; the last time was over 3 years ago. This is my first sew-in since starting my healthy hair journey.


The installation:

It’s no secret that I prefer wigs and clip-ins over a sew-in weave, the main reason being that in the past after getting my hair done I would be suffering with migraines for a week no matter how much I preach that I don’t want my hair done tightly. This experience was exactly the opposite! I got my weave installed at the end of September at Dollz Beauty Spa for TT $450. My first and only other visit to this spa was over two years ago to get a facial, manicure and pedicure. For my installation I asked that they use no glue whatsoever, no tight cornrows since I suffer with migraines and I wanted to be able to put it in a bun. While doing my cornrows the woman (sorry I can’t remember her name) was in constant communication to make sure I was ok and comfortable with the cornrows, I got the same treatment when the hair was being sewn in by Lance. I had no issues with headaches or migraines with this hairstyle; if I decide to get a sew-in again I will not hesitate to get it done at Dollz.

My Hair:

I chose to do a centre part and have less than an inch leave out all around my hairline. I moisturise and seal my leave out at least 2-3 times per week and moisturise my cornrows twice per week. I washed my hair 3 times since the insulation, making sure to use a little protein on my leave out with each wash. The only time my leave out was flat ironed was when the weave was installed. I got some breakage since my leave out was being brushed daily but nothing that I did not expect or I am overly worried about.

The Hair:

The hair I used was Outre Velvet Remi Natural Yaki which I purchased at Hair It Is for about TT$750 per pack. I bought two packs of this hair in June but never got around to using it because I was depending on someone who turned out to be very unprofessional (that’s a whole other blog post!). The hair is 14 inches in colour #2. I love how the colour matches perfectly with my hair; this hair looks very much like relaxed hair, it’s not too silky or shiny. I was complimented countless times on my hair. I got "the look" a lot, lol you know that look when someone is ogling at your hair trying to figure out if its real, some were bold enough to ask if it was all mine. Each time I washed it I let it air-dry.  
Everything was going great with this hair until I washed it the 2nd time which was around the 5 week mark, I began to get some shedding, tangles, split ends and breakage after that wash. The 3rd time I washed it was at the 7 week mark using TRESemme Keratin Smooth shampoo and conditioner which helped with the tangles for a few days but because of the breakage the ends started to thin out. The shedding and tangles only got worse as time went by so I really can’t see myself reusing this weave, maybe it would work if I use it to do a short style like a bob but I doubt I will be trying it.  

1st wash air drying


2nd wash air drying


back view


This is mostly how I styled it for the first 5 weeks

 
Pulled back in a bun
Another way I wore my hair especially after that 2nd wash
 
Simple bun
What was your last long term protective style? How long did you keep it in?

18 comments:

  1. Your sew in looks good! I haven't worn a sew in for 2 years now actually this month makes it exactly 2 years I was too dependent on them and decided to give my hair a sew in break but will def go back to them every now and then in the future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks LYDZ, I was never big on sew-ins because of my previous experiences, that's why I stuck to wigs and making my own clip-ins. Most likely my next installation will be next year for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival so the search is on for some hair.

      Delete
  2. can u post some information about the salon. contact and info and location. i want to get a weave. i read reviews on this hair, for the price and the mixed reviews i decided against it. i am thinking of getting from one of those FB sellers.BSS weave seems so iffy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anonymous
      I clean forgot to insert the links for the Salon and hair store, it's fixed now.

      Dollz Beauty Spa is located at #45 Ana Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain
      Phone No. is 767 - 2973

      I've never worn weave for more than 2 weeks even though I always use remi hair, so this is a first for me. You are right about the BSS weaves they are always a hit and miss. Dollz sell weave also so you can check that out if you like.

      Delete
  3. That sew in looks so natural on you and I'll admit it looks like yours lol. Great job in styling it. I haven't worn any weaves since my path experience in 2011

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bad experiences is what has been keeping us all away lol I am proud of myself for not using heat, I truly deserve a mini cupcake!

      Delete
  4. That looks really good Candice! Not too long, not too short and it does blend very well. I want a sew in so badly, but I don't keep them in. My sew in lasted all of 1 week! As you know, I loved my crochet braids which lasted for 5 weeks, so I'm getting more installed once I have a bit of new growth.

    How long are you keeping the hair in?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm finally taking it out today, I have no choice but to trust my 9 year old daughter with my hair and a scissors lol

      Delete
  5. I love how natural this looks on you. Too bad the hair didn't work out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the hair! I love how you can anything with it and it really looks too good to be true. I've been looking into this type of protective style but it's soooooo much money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can get costly, thats one of the reasons I won't even entertain the thought of doing this often, I rather spend the money on hair products

      Delete
  7. I feel like I've been missign SO much! I literally was waiting for you to START blogging once you told me on Twitter that you would. I'm so upset now! Ok, lemme get over my feelings...

    That is EXACTLY how every pack of BSS hair has ever treated me. Looks great, behaves at first then it always goes awry and is never able to be reused. Finally I said, forget this...lemme just save my coins upfront because I save money later and definitely aggravation. Speaking of, the difference in currency threw me at first because I thought you paid $450 American dollars for the service which is half of my rent! lmbo!

    ReplyDelete
  8. lol @ getting over your feelings, I need to start spreading the word about my little part of the world wide web!

    The main reason I use BBS hair is because of my hair colour, virgin hair will never match my hair colour, not unles I dye it. I know I don't trust myself to dye any hair and I worry that the salon is not going to get the colour right. Which brings me to my next concern, is it still virgin hair if I strip and dye it? Won't it be just like BBS hair when I'm done? Anyhow, after this experience I am determined to give the virgin hair a try, if it don't work out at least I tried right.

    If that price thew you think about how I feel sometimes when I want to buy things online! I have to multiply the price of everything by 7 and that don't include international shipping, customs and taxes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No it will not be the "virgin" once you dye it BUT it won't be like BSS hair either. It will still have the cuticle intact and be aligned in the same direction, cutting way down on tangles. Also, BSS hair (as you said) is often stripped and has "coaters and fillers" to make it a consistent smooth texture so the hair is less pure if that makes sense. I think its definitely worth the splurge if you intend to wear more than one weave in your life and keep the length, like I said aside from saving money in the long run you will also save on aggravation for sure!

      Delete
    2. Thanks Ebony, I always wondered about dying the hair so thanks again, I will definitely be giving virgin hair a try for my next weave purchase.

      Delete