Some days you wake up and you just want different hair. I had a similar moment 2 weeks ago and went on a huge hair dyeing fail which Nu Mi Style in St George corrected ensuring my curls were given some TLC.
I’ve been deep conditioning like a beast with Cantu’s Deep Conditioner and it was feeling alright but equally it was definitely time for me to give it a break so today I sat in the sun and braided up a neon bob!
If anyone is tempted to take on putting in their own extensions I would say absolutely do it but expect it to take longer than you think! I went for chunky braids after forgetting last time how time consuming the long, thin braid takes…. It was a lot.
It seems to happen this time every year when I decide it’s #protectivestyle time because for the past 3 years I’ve had #ravebraids for Love Saves The Day – maybe I’ll make it a new tradition! I had a packet-ish of long neon hair from my last LSTD do and didn’t want to get loads more. Already knew I wanted a bob style so I went and got 3 more packets meaning I used roughly 4 in total but I’ve got a little left over. I cut the hair where the elastic band was to make sure it was the right length and then got to it!
After deep conditioning my hair I moisturised it and used lock gel to keep the hair smooth whilst putting in the hair. If you’ve never done braids before, this is a really good YouTube video on how to put in box braids like a pro!
This took me roughly 6 hours to do and to be honest I think the hardest part was burning the ends. I have a blister on my finger now due to an unexpected flame flare! In the end I dunked the hair in boiling water, cut to the length I wanted (which did make the hair spring apart at the bottom so there was some re-plaiting at the ends to do) and then burned the bottoms and used my gloved hand to roll the end between my fingers. It’s been a very nice day altogether – great way to not feel guilty about sunbathing!
I also wanted to reclaim the neon braid – last time Ć had these in someone said ‘you look like your going to a squat party free rave’. They were joking but it made me feel self conscious for a moment – because that response is exactly why I considered not doing them in the first place. But…no. That is what cultural appropriation has done. Fuck that.
I love bright colours. I love braids. I love my afro. I love my hair. And I love these. So I think I’ll be taking them back ššš
