Night-time Routine

If your hair has an impish quality like mine, then you certainly must know that it tends to get into mischief- word to ssks (single strand knots) that plague my life.  

:~/

At the start of my natural hair journey, I was proudly the poster child of the, "I like to wear enjoy my hair at every stage..." camp.  

Even though, I definitely understood that growth retention was indubitably optimized when hair was controlled and kept away i.e., protectively styled; I never wanted to truly accept that my hair could only ever thrive in a "kept" state.

So, I'd console myself with the notion that once I'd gained substantial length, I would always wear my hair big and free, daily, and that my hair would still be lusciously healthy.

For the most part of 2012, I did that.  Braid outs were (and still are) my thing.  I've mastered them, and am secure in knowing that I can replicate them beautifully, at will.  But, I've been forced to admit that I didn't retain as much length as I could've, had I strictly protectively styled my hair more often during the year.

No worries however, because as long as you know and understand which paths lead you to your hair goals, mistakes can turn into helpful road signs.   

So, through the numerous braid outs, twist outs, wash n gos and curly fros of last year, how did I maintain my hair for sleep and subsequent 2nd day hair?  

Good question!

Ever just been too bloody drained to give any additional thought to hair upkeep?  I can attest to completely zonking out and onto my bed; totally fatigued from the rigors of the day, hair care thoughts, the faintest of faint concerns.

**Queue slow motion melodramatic collapse onto sinfully soft bed. **

Ah!  I just wan sleep jor!

Post-slumber; tangles, matting, and fairy knots all vie for my attention. 

This happens to you too?

 :~(

It's true.  I'm not a dainty sleeper at all.  I like to make good use of my bed, and I sleep hard and heavy.  

Oftentimes, I've awoken annoyed and regretful that I didn't tie my hair down before succumbing to the inescapable coaxing of slumber.

Perhaps, you've run across my thoughts on the importance of having your strands behaving the same way- strength in numbers.  But, permit me to wax factually here with ya'll:

* I liked to do wash n gos on my TWA because the gel clumped my hair strands together, and virtually, 'froze' them into place. 

* I like to wear braid outs because the three sections of hair within the braid, are normally the perfect size for fullness and volume without the frizz that could arise from too much strand separation.

*I don't wear afros- because completely separated strands left to their own devices, usually turn into beastly nightmares knots and tangles on my head. 



Nightly braids (6 to 8) in total.  



Whenever I wear braidouts, my night time routine usually consists of either re-braiding every other night, or putting my hair in a very loose ponytail (pineapple).  I've been favoring the latter, the longer my hair gets, but re-braiding definitely works if your hair isn't long enough to bun just yet.  

Loose ponytail/pineapple

Tip 1: Lightly re-moisturize and seal each section before re-braiding for the night, but also focus attention on moisturizing the ends.  When you unbraid you the next day, your hair should feel softened.

Tip 2:  Loosely twist the last inch of your re-braided hair.

Tip 3:  Examine your ends as you re-twist.  Dust/trim off any splits or knots that you encounter.  Doing this regularly, helps to control the damage that stems from daily styling.

Tip 4:  If you're concerned about whether constantly re-braiding your hair every other night equates to overly manipulating your hair, exercise your own best judgement.  Switch up your styles, or rotate your night-time routines.



And for kicks, both are 2nd day hair braidouts.  I see growth!  ^_^