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 3^rd 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 2^nd time which was around the 5 week mark, I began to get some shedding, tangles, split ends and breakage after that wash. The 3^rd 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?