"How do I maintain my weave?" is a common question often asked. Thus, here are some tips that will help you take care of your hair weave to ensure that it looks presentable while you wear it. Its important to keep in mind that proper maintenance of your weaves can help your natural hair that is tucked underneath grow. And having it look amazing everyday is also a plus. Take out your pen and paper and lets get started.

Proper Cleaning   

Weekly or bi-weekly cleaning is required whether your hair weave is made of human or synthetic hair, along with your scalp and natural hair. You will start by shampooing your scalp, not your weave. Concentrate on cleaning your scalp by rubbing the ball of shampoo through the tracks. Then, let the water and shampoo work their way down the hair weave, gently comb through your weave with your fingers. Do not ball the weave up or pile it on top of your hair. This will result in matting and tangling. Simply direct the shampoo and water downward and rinse completely. Ensure to condition the hair thoroughly with conditioner employing the same cleaning method. Conditioning is only required if your weave is made of human hair and its not necessary for synthetic hair.

Daily Care

Human Hair:  It is best to use a natural boar bristle brush or a wide-tooth comb when combing/brushing your human hair weaves. This hair texture can be styled much like your natural hair, so you can use flat irons and curling irons to achieve different looks. If you wish to add products on to your human hair weaves, its recommended to keep it at a very minimum. An excessive amount of styling products on your weave may be difficult to wash out later. 

Synthetic Hair: This hair option requires a complete different caring techniques from human hair. The preferred brush option is a plastic bristle brush. Please note, if your synthetic weave is curly, you do not have to comb or brush it. The preset style is permanent thus further brushing or combing will damage it. You also cannot apply flat irons, curling irons and other heat tools on your synthetic hair. Furthermore, please do not apply hair gels, oils or hair sprays to synthetic hair.

Nightly Care

Human Hair: always cover your head with a silk or satin cap each night because you go to sleep. Simply pull the weave hair back into a loose ponytail with a covered elastic band. Or you can also loosely braid your weave and then, proceed to cover it with the cap. This will help prevent tangling and matting.

Synthetic Hair: for an already curly style, you don't need to braid it or pull it back into a ponytail. Simply cover it with a silk or satin hair cap.

10 Reasons Why Women Should Wear Their Hair Natural....

This one is for my #teamnatural ladies. Last night, while browsing through cyber space, I stumbled upon an interesting article about black women and their natural hair.  So, I thought I would share it with you all to seek your opinions. It dated back to 2006, I apologize if you've seen it. Still share your input. The article was written by A. Hermitt and was posted on Associated Content.com.

Some do it for the look, some do it for social reasons, and others do it for professional reasons. Here are the reasons black women should wear their hair in its natural state… Kinky.
10. It grows in that way.  If your creator meant for you to have straight hair it would be straight.
9. You can do fun and versatile things with black hair.  Unlike straight hair, black hair (naturally kinky) can stand straight up, and can be braided into complex designs, can be temporarily straighten without chemicals and worn in its natural state again the next day.
8. It is in style.  Natural black hair is more and more acceptable everyday.  It is just another fashion choice; therefore, there is no reason to go through great pains to change it.
7. Straightening chemicals are dangerous.  If not applied correctly it can cause burns, hair damage, and temporary to permanent hair loss.
6. Hair chemicals are really, dangerous. The food and drug administration says, “Hair relaxers and hair dyes are among its top consumer complaint areas. Complaints range from hair breakage to symptoms warranting an emergency room visit.  Also in February 1994, the FDA and the American Cancer Society released an epidemiology study involving 573,000 women.  Researchers found that women who never used permanent hair dyes showed decreased risk of all fatal cancers combined and of urinary system cancers.
5. You never know when it might go wrong.  Just like food, allergies show up over time, so do hair chemical allergies.  What worked fine two years ago, might cause a bald spot in two years.
4. If it went wrong before, it will very likely happen again. If you had a bad reaction to a perm, do not do it again. Nine times out of 10, the chemicals are just as much to blame as the stylist.
3. Pride: Your hair is an identifying symbol of your race. If you are proud of your race, you should also be proud of your hair.
2. The work place cannot discriminate against your hair. There was a time when wearing an Afro, dreadlocks or braids, your job could say you were going against the dress code. This is illegal. Do not tolerate it.

1. Time savings: Over time, you will learn to shower, wash your hair and get dressed just like people with straight hair. It is just a matter of time until you find a natural style that works well for you.
Thoughts ??!!??

Styling With Twist/Flexi Rods.

This is my first official blogging experience. I apologize in advance for any violation of formal or informal blogging norms. I'm unaware of any blogging faux pas however with time, I'm sure I will not only learn them (if there are any) I will also become a full conformist (yea right.)

For my first entry, I will feature a quite, simply tutorial on styling with Flexi Rods. This is because, each time I style my hair using this method, its a sure hit. That usually consist of many glances and compliments. All the products and tools I use are all affordable and easily accessible. I will also feature pictures for your visual  pleasure.

Here are the items you will need:

1) Flexi Rods: you can find them at your local beauty supply store. They are usually less than $4 per pack. And they come 6 rods in a pack; 2 pack are more than enough. They are available in many sizes. The smaller the rods the tigher the curls will come out.  

 2) A setter: mousse acts as a great setter. It will give it a cleaner, firm hold. I purchased this Garnier Fructis Styling mousse because it was on sale (yes, I'm a bargain shopper hehe). I regret this purchase, a complete waste of money. It's too sticky for my liking. It will not be used in this tutorial.

 Water is an alternative setter if you don't want to add any products to your hair or your fresh new weaves. It will still give you a firm lasting hold.

 The Process:

Disclaimer: Flexi Rods works best when used on good quality Human Hair; Indian Remy or any other type of Virgin Hair texture. My model's hair is Indian Remy from Golden Lace Wigs.

Before Pictures.

 

Bring out a section of hair.

 Spray water to the selected section. Don't soak it, just a couple of sprays will do. Then roll the hair onto the flexi rod, make sure to roll outwards (away from your head).

 By the time your finish applying the flexi rods, this is what it should look like.

 Another view.

 The next step it to allow the hair to dry. I usually leave it to air dry over night. You can also blow dry it if time is against you.

Once you unravel the flexi rods, this is what it will look like without any teasing or combing.

This next step is only necessary if you want to achieve a loose, fun curls type of look with lots of volume. Simply comb and tease the curls to your desire look. I wanted to give it lots of volume. Thus, this is my final result.