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Alwina Oyewoleturner via Around The Way Curls writes:
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Havana twists and similar protective styles are a great summertime look! I was recently asked to share what I do while my hair is in twists or braids (extensions) for an extended period of time. Currently, my hair is in Havana twists. In the last couple of years, especially since I transitioned in 2009, I keep a very simple regimen to maintain my hair in braids and the scalp clean.
Read On!>>>
I used to use SeaBreeze astringent (not the one for the face) but a more general astringent that can be used on the scalp as well as the face/body. This helps to kill any bacteria, etc. from growing especially since you can’t really wash your braids like you do your hair. And then I used to use Dr. Hobbs’ Soothing Braid/Twist Spray, which is really hard to find, on my scalp to relax the itching and also condition my scalp.
Since finding the above products has been a challenge, I’ve changed the products with the same concept in mind. I make my own mixture of Dessert Essence’s Kinder to Skin Tea Tree Oil (8%) and Thayer’s Lavender/Aloe Vera Witch Hazel with water in a spray bottle. Tea Tree Oil has antibacterial properties and the witch hazel gently cleanses, tones and moisturizes your scalp and then water for moisture. After this I spray, African Royale BRX Braid & Extension Sheen Spray, which also has tea tree oil, silk amino acids, oils/extracts, etc. to condition your hair while in twists/braids (extensions).
I generally spray my hair with both products twice a day and if not, then at least in the morning to prepare my hair to handle the environment.
If my hair is not in extensions, my regimen is slightly different. I would use the tea tree oil/witch hazel/water mix, Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Hold & Shine moisture mist, Shea Moisture organic African black soap dandruff & dry scalp elixir and the raw Shea butter reconstructive elixir to seal it all in. Lately, in place of the reconstructive elixir I have been using Carol’s Daughter Tui Oil hair spray, which has a great smell.
The goal is to add water when the hair is dry, cleanse with an antibacterial agent, moisturize and seal with an oil.
To wash my hair with/without extensions, I use whatever shampoo or cleansing conditioner is available. Right now I am using Carol’s Daughter Monoi Hair Repair Shampoo and Loreal’s Evercream Cleansing Conditioner.
Antoinette’s remarks:
It doesn’t get more detailed than that. Her regimen explanation was the bomb. Shanti and I need to step our game up. SMH. Seriously though #BOOM! Her hair was the ish and she’s at every natural hair event in NYC so she’s well researched and in the know.
How do you keep your hair and scalp healthy while in twists, braids or extensions?
I am keeping braids for now, and I like to wet it once or twice a week, or wash as well. I mix olive oil, water and tea tree oil and a light conditioner and mist that on my hair. I use that on my daughter's locs as well. I also apply a light coconut or almond oil to my scalp.
On another note has anyone heard of the onion method? basically putting juiced onions/garlic on the scalp to penetrate the scalp. They have natural antibacterial properties. You need to mix peppermint oil to cut the smell. You leave it on for about 30 mins or so and then rinse out thoroughly and it goes on the scalp ONLY.
I love this and will be trying it. Nice hair lady and thanks for sharing.
ur hair looks nice, thank you for the info, I also use a good product that treats well my hair, it's Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Conditioner which conditions my hair back to its natural health. 🙂
Talijah wajiid's moisture cleanse is a lot gentler and smells better than sea breez. My hair tends to knot if I wad eith braids/ extensions so I try not too keep them in too long or add too many pructs to the regimen.
Wow!! I had to read the article several times before realizing the Havana twists weren't all her hair. That's a pretty good job!!!
NaturalFox
I understand trying to maintain an extension style, but putting all that product on your hair/scalp and NOT shampooing it-even in the summer? ummmm-no. Trust me, I wore kinky twist extensions in my fine, soft hair off and on for years and you can and should let some water hit your head at least once a week. Put some shampoo and water in a container, and gently pour it over your twists and scalp, and do the same to rinse. I know that itchy scalp feeling, the only way to feel fresh is to wash your hair.
What kind of hair is this?
She takes good care of her scalp and Havana twist because I know several women who wear extenstions and weaves they always complain about their scalp itcing or they have dandaff,so when they have braids in before they are put in they load their scalps with grease and do not keep it up after they are in. Alot of girls look at me when I tell them I moisiturize and seal with a moisturizer/leave in and seal with evoo, evco or Mimosa hair honey when some touch my hair and see how soft it is.
Megan Montgomery
I'm not really a big/lot of hair type of person. But I must admit that I like the "REAL LOOK" of these! I know hair, and I coundn't tell the difference, blended very nicely! Bomb.com
Definitely a huge thank you to Antoinette from ATW Curls for asking me to share. I honestly just thought I would share a few words, some pics and that was it. It is definitely an honor to share the blogosphere with such awesome and fantabulouse ladies like ATW Curls, Shelli of Hairscapades, Curly Nikki, Taren Guy and the list goes on. You ladies definitely inspire me to do better with my hair.
Just a quick note on the Havana twists. I read about them when Shelli did a post on her Afro Puffy twists end of December/January, which was subsequently posted on Curly Nikki. I further read the Havana twists post on Shelli's blog and was inspired to check out the style because the salon is here in NYC. It took me a few months, but I decided to get it done and they were still having the $88 sale (not incl. hair). It is definitely an awesome protective style (I watched as they installed it); the cons are it's big so you can't wear hats, normal shower caps and sleep comfortably unless you put your hair up.
But I've definitely gotten around well with my hair for the last six weeks.
Please check out Shelli of Hairscapades blogpost "Havana Twists – Hairgasm" – Afrigenix the salon that did this style posted recently on the post and they have a website www.afrigenix.com.
These Havana Twists are beautiful! I may try those one day.
I've learned that my hair/scalp does better in extension twists (i.e. Afro Twists) more so than with my own two-strand twists. My scalp dries quickly and my hair is one that is quick to loc, so I can't wear two-strand twists for long.
However, my hair thrives in Afro-twists. I can keep my scalp clean. I just use whatever shampoo I have – it doesn't seem to matter as much when I have this style. I usually spray Infusium 23 on it while it's wet. To maintain moisture I will either do the same or mix up my own spray that consists of aloe vera juice, water, an oil of choice, and essential oil mix.
For me, maintenance in this style is so much simpler than my regular regimen, but if I don't moisturize, I will have locing issues when I take the twists out, which defeats the purpose.
I have those twists, I traveled to NY just to get them. The look can be deceiving; the sytle is very lightweight, not heavy AT ALL..except maybe if you gather them all together. And I have very fine hair, and they have held up great with NO extra tension on my strands. I've concoted a similar mix as Alwina to help moisturize my twists. I do plan on washing them completely at least once while they're in. EVERYONE thinks that they're my hair..well those that don't know any better. LOL. It's a very beautiful unique different style and I love them. I'm going back to get them done again, once I take these out, but honestly, they won't be coming out any time soon and I've already had them done about a month and a half..they're still looking like first day twists..just love them.
Her hair is beautiful, so can I find out if there is a place in New York that sells the HAIR.Trying to save on S&H…LOL.. I saw those Hair on Hairscapedes/..Shelli and I really fell in love with them.
I would love to get those Havana twist, I love the thickness & length they look like her real hair super cute.
Brooke B.
I too thought that those twists were her REAL HAIR! I was about to be like WOAH she has a LOT OF HAIR! lOVE THE TWISTS!:)
I REALLY LIKE the way she styled the twist's in the second pic. For some reason it doesen't look like as much hair as the first pic. It would be a littl too much hair for my peanut head(maybe smaller twists 4 me), but I think they look great on her!
Beautiful twists!
I love her twists! I actually thought they were real until I started reading the article. I would love for my stretched twist to be this length, but right now they are only shoulder length.
I LOVE the Carol's Daughter Monoi Repair Shampoo–it's the only shampoo I have found, after trying MANY, that effectively cleanses my hair and scalp without stripping my hair.
Alwina's hair is beautiful–the twists do look heavy though, but I'm tender headed.
OMGosh!! Alwina is a total sweety!! I met her at another meet-up this past Sunday and we talked about her Havana twists, because I believe that she discovered the style and salon (Afrigenix) on my site!! So cool to see her here!! Hey girl:)!!
Shelli