How I did my yarn braids (genie locs)

Hi all,


This is a tutorial of the yarn braid/genie locs protective style I have done recently. I worked on it for a week (due to lack of free time) and I completed the style last weekend.  


This is my second time using yarn braids as a protective style. I first did this in August. It was very easy to manage and maintain and it was the ideal protective style for me while going on vacation. I had the yarn braids in for about eight weeks and this didn't lead to any issues with my hair (breakage or thinning edges). 

I used;

• 100% acrylic yarn
• Four sectioning clips
• Spray bottle (contains water, aloe vera juice and rose water).
• Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade
• Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream

I sectioned my hair in four and worked section by section. I finger parted (I prefer to finger part, rather than using a rat tail comb to) further sections for braiding and used the sectioning clips to keep other hair out of the way.


I lightly spritzed the hair to be braided, then used a little bit of Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream and finally sealed with Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade. 

I then took two strings of yarn and interlocked them as shown on the left. I spritzed the strings and pulled it taut and proceeded to braiding the section of hair.


I made sure the yarn was secured to my hair without putting any tension on my hair or scalp.

After finishing the braid, I tied the ends together to prevent the yarn from unraveling. 


After I finished braiding all sections of hair, I cut the strings from the knot, just leaving the knot. I went over the knots with a candle flame to tie it to prevent it from unravelling (be really careful when doing this, don't hold the flame by the yarn for too long or otherwise it will catch fire). 






















My finished results;

What I like the most about yarn braids; 

• They are very light
• They are easy to moisturise and keep your hair moisturised
• They are less harsh on your hair (in comparison to synthetic braids)
• They are inexpensive (I got my yarn from House of Fraser's, the brand Patons and it only cost me about £1.99)
• They are versatile
• They make your hair look like locs, without you having to loc your hair.

While there are upsides to having yarn braids, there are also some downsides;

• They feel heavy when wet
• Takes too long to dry
• Removing yarn braids can be time consuming
• They can loc in your hair if you leave them in for too long

I enjoy having yarn braids. I feel my hair gets moisturised better while the weight of the yarn is not putting any tension on my hair or my scalp. 

Before doing yarn braids, be sure it is something you want to do as it can be time consuming to put in and take out. Be sure you are buying acrylic yarn and not cotton wool. The reason for this is because wool locs in your hair. To distinguish between the two, read the information labels and also look at the price (yarn tends to be much cheaper than wool). You can also twist yarn into your hair and make yarn twists instead. 

Happy hair journey ^o^

The Natural Lounge; Naturally Fabulous

Hi all,


On October 8 I attended The Natural Lounge's Naturally Fabulous event. It is my third event/meet up of the sort and it included socialising, music, poetry, hair talk and buying + product swapping.


I purchased the VIP ticket for this event and the benefit that came with it was a goody bag. I have to say, it was a very impressive goody bag, I was taken by surprise!

The goody bag with the Naptural Roots logo.

All the goodies that I found in my goody bag!

From left to right Organic Root Stimulator;

• Silk pillow case
• Coconut Oil
• Uplifting Shampoo
• Aloe Shampoo
• Hair Mayonnaise 2x
• Hair Fertiliser
• Olive Oil

• Mixed Chicks Sulfate Free Shampoo
• Hairveda's Vatika Frosting
• Komaza Care Shea Butter Hair Lotion

 

• Cioccolatina Equia Hair Oil
• Solomon's Daughter Mango + Apricot Lip Butter
• BeUNIQUE Mango Twist
• Afrocenchix Moi Moisture
• Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair and Body Butter (Unscented)
• Tangle Teezer

What I purchased from some of the vendors with my own money;

The items I purchased at the event

• Aubrey Organics GBP Shampoo
• Cioccolatina Monoi Soap
• Blended Beauty SilkShake
• Pretty Curls Tropical Twist Shea Butter
• Shea Moisture Hold and Shine Moisture Mist
• Mmm... Hair Revitalising Hair Spritzer
• Earrings
• Hesh Shikakai
• Gubdanda Shea Coop Shea Baobab and Guava soap bar
• Tucuma Hair Butter
• Shea Butter and Jamaican Black Castor oil samples

A book which I won in the raffle.

The book signed!

The goody bag was just amazing and my buys were really wonderful too. I won't have to purchase anything for quite some time! As for the book, I look forward to starting it as soon as my schedule becomes a bit less hectic.


The Natural Lounge event was a success. There are many positive reviews on the event by other attendees. I'm really pleased I went and it was definitely worth the money. I was able to see my friends from previous hair events and I was also able to meet new people and see bloggers etc. There is a natural hair community in the UK and we are only growing! 


Happy hair journey ^o^ 

What I purchased in September

Hi all, 

I want to start keeping a log of what I purchase for my hair. Each month I will document what I purchase and also where I have purchased it. The reasons are;

• I'll be keeping my blog readers informed on what I have and what I use/intend on using
• I'll be keeping track of how much I purchase
• I'll be writing reviews about it.
  

 For the month of September, I purchased (for my hair);

At Sally Beauty Supply;

• Hask Henna 'N' Placenta with Olive Oil Conditioning Treatment 2oz
• One 'n Only Argan Oil Moisture Repair Conditioner 1oz

At Target;

• Kinky Curly Knot Today 8oz 

At the Qhemet Biologics online store;

• Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Buttercream 2oz
  
• Qhemet Biologics Olive and Honey Hydrating Cream 2oz

At Walgreens;

• Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque 12oz
  
• Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie 12oz
  
• Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk 8oz

At WalMart;

• Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter 12.6oz
  
• Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner 22.5oz

I purchased everything listed while I was in the U.S. However, the products are also available in the UK through online stores or vendors who ship to the UK.

What I purchased during the month of September

Happy Hair Journey ^o^