Hey Hairgineers,

August 3rd 2014 was my previous texlax update and i had planned that my next texlax was going to be on the 20th December 2015, unfortunately i was not be achieved this. 
At 16 weeks post telax (22nd November 2014) i installed crotchet braids as my protective style for the coming harmattan season, refer to this post for my details on crotchet braids.
Unfortunately few days after installation, i fell ill and was hospitalized for about a month and half. I had religiously followed my hair regimen before this, due to the hospitalization I could not follow my regimen and didn’t wash my hair till I was discharged.
At 22 weeks post texlax (3rd  January 2015), I  shampooed and did a protein conditioning and deep conditioning treatment as my undergrowth was wild and i knew i had to texlax upon removal of the braids.
I removed my braids at 26 weeks post texlax and texlaxed the following week.

DAY BEFORE THE TEXLAX

I gently parted my 27weeks post telax under growth and then applied Vaseline petroleum jelly to my scalp. I finger detangled my hair to further remove any shed hair before combing with my Mebco detangling comb. I sectioned my hair into four parts and applied Roux Porosity Control & Corrector Conditioner to my previously relaxed hair. I twisted and pinned each part and covered with my silk bonnet to bed.

TEXLAX DAY

I am still too scared to self texlax so I went to the salon for a professional touch up. The relaxer application and smoothen took exactly 17minutes and it was washed immediately.

Products used for Texlax

Products Used:
- Relaxer: ORS Lye Relaxer in Normal Strength.
-Conditioner: used Aphogee 2-min Reconstructor as my mid-relaxer protein
-Neutralizing Shampoo:  Motion Neutralizing Shampoo
-Deep Conditioner: Elasta QP-DPR Deep penetrating  moisture+ ORS Replenishing conditioner + Goya Olive oil + Coconut oil.
-Apple Rinse: Raven Apple Rinse for Black Hair.
-Heat Protector: Tressemme Heat Defense Styling Spray.
-Leave-in: S-curl Activator/Moisturizer.
-Sealant: Jamaica Black Castor Oil (not shown in picture).
-Relaxed End Protector: Roux Porosity Control & Corrector Conditioner

Texlax Result

The result came out very well though the right side was more processed than the left side, this I hope to correct at the next texlax.



Become my friend, would you try texlax?

Hairgineer Oyk.

Happy New year Hairgineers,

I will like to apologize for the long absence and lacks of blog posts uploads, this has been due to the fact that i was ill. I am back now and uploads of blog post will resume in full swing.
I installed crotchet braids last year November 22nd and i had drafted my post but i couldn’t upload due to my illness, so i have decided to combine my taught on crochet braids during installation with my taught on its removal.

I had mentioned in my final thoughts post on protective styling that i was going to try crochet braids as i had heard so much about it and the healthy benefits to the hair.

What is Crochet Braids?
Crochet Braids is basically braiding your extensions/attachments on a cornrows base instead of braiding your extension/ attachments on collective hair strands.
Crochet Braids can be done for all forms of braids; Box braids, Senegalese twists etc

How is this done?
Hair is braided into cornrows base like with a sew-in, style and type of cornrow (straight, circular etc) is dependent on the style in view. The bulk extensions/attachments are passed through the cornrow with a crochet pins or latch hook, and the final result is styled as desired.

It is important that the cornrow is not tight as this could be damaging to the hair, also for any protective styling with extensions/attachments  the hair should be treated to a protein treatment balancing this with a moisturizing treatment, so it can withstand the pull/pressure from the extensions/attachments.
Washing, conditioning/deep conditioning, moisturizing & sealing of  hair during installation period is very vital for any form of protective styling.
I will be taking care of braids as stated in my previous posts 1,2 & 3 on protective styling.

There are so many You-tube videos on crochet braids that can be watched for a visual understanding of the installation.

Moisturized Hair

Cornrows

Inserting Marley Hair into cornrows

Crochet pin used for sliding in Marley Hair

Sliding Marley hair in and out of cornrows

Final twisted result back view.

Final reuslt

2 months of Crochet Braids installation.

Benefits   
1)    Saves times; as this takes shorter time to complete as against spending several hours at the salon while getting your braids installed.
2)    Little or no pressure is imposed on the tender edge and nape hair if installed properly, thus no loss of baby edge or nape hair.

REMOVAL:

I had planned on installing the braids for 6weeks but ended up installing it for 2months/8weeks and i believe to have about 1inch undergrowth. Due to my hospitalization, I couldn’t take care of my braids during its installation  I was only able to shampoo, condition and deep condition my braids after I was discharged.

Upon removal I sprayed my hair with mane-n-tail detangler then loosened the corn rows and  carefully detangling with my fingers to removing shed hair.

The major benefit on its removal.
1)    Hair did not twist and matte excessively from the long time installation like it would have if it were individual braids, I still have my edge and nape hair intact.

Crochet Braids is fairly new in Nigeria so it might be hard to get a hair salon that does this, I had to give a step by step instructions to my friend who helped me with my installation.
Mybeautyhub on Awolowo Street in Lagos Island is the only hair salon i know that offers this service for now.

Become my friend, would u try crochet braids?