Box Braids Do's and Don'ts + Be Fierce With Some Added Color

● DON'T pull your extensions up in ponytails to often. Pulling the hair up puts a lot of tension on your hair, and can cause temporary (alopecia) or permanent hair loss especially around your edges.  When styling your extensions, be careful with that too, as the pulling and tugging manipulation can also lead to hair loss.

● DON'T use sprays on your braids that are non water soluble.  When treating your extensions, your hair  will also get treated with the spray which can dry out your hair and cause breakage.  Consider products that you have used on your natural hair and make your own spray treatment from them.

● DON'T go swimming without a protective cap.  Swimming in chlorine water requires a clarifying shampoo. If you do not properly cleanse your hair, the chemicals will stay trapped in your hair and cause damage.

● DON'T wear your braids for too long.  Knowing your own hair, and how you take care of it is the clarifying time of "not to long" for you.  If you have XL box braids, I would advice not leaving them for more than two months to avoid hair breakage.  Especially around your edges. If you have smaller braids, they should not be left in longer than three months. By three months, your natural hair should be washed thoroughly, conditioned and given some air to breath.   Not many women suffer from hair breakage when they take care of braids the proper way.  However, many do experience hair breakage when leaving the braids in for long periods of time.... longer than three months! If you must have BOX BRAIDS, be sure to do a deep conditioning on your hair, and try to leave your hair undone for at least one day before you reinstall the braids. 

● DO be sure to sleep with a satin scarf on, or on a satin pillow case every night. This not only protects your braids but also avoids your hair from loosing moisture. I personally would not advice using a satin bonnet depending on how many braids you have and how big your bonnet is because trying to get a whole lot of braids in a small bonnet can be an unworthy battle.

● DO moisturize your braids every other night. Or if you believe your braids to be dry.  By moisturizing your braids, this will keep them looking shiny with a nice and neat appearance to them.  Remember, hair need to stay hydrated.  Even extensions that your hair is attached too.

● DO cleanse your scalp by shampooing your hair. Dirty scalp does not aid in hair growth.

● DO be sure to oil your scalp. Dry scalp does not promote hair growth.

● DO enjoy the freedom of not having to comb and style your natural hair daily.  Braids can be fun and easy to wear, with noticeable hair growth.  Be open to trying different hair colors and styles.... be fierce in your individual BOX BRAIDS.  Be sure to be HAIR HEALTHY!!!

Get Maximum Wear Out of Your Crochet Braids

If you are trying to decide if you should get CROCHET BRAIDS but you can't seem to understand how you will keep them looking fresh and new.  Worry no more!!

It starts with the foundation for your CROCHET BRAIDS. Be sure to find a cornrow pattern that you like.  After putting in the cornrows, make sure that they are very secure.  Secure braiding will ensure that your hair will not come a part. Bad braiding is the main reason for CROCHET BRAIDS not lasting as long as they should.  After you have secured your cornrows, begin to use your latch hook needle to feed the bulk braiding hair under the cornrow and  pull over through the looped hair. I suggest that you secure the crochet hair with a knot of two. 

 

Now, after installing the CROCHET BRAIDS, you are pretty much ready to live a life free from combing and styling hair for a month or two.  If you choose the curly crochet braids, you won't have to do anything to the hair other than wear it.  When you select a curly pattern, you get more life out of the style.  Generally, looser curls seem to tangle, frizz up and will get knots on the ends.  

To keep your CROCHET BRAIDS looking good, you can use water from a spray bottle to help pull the hair apart. Bigger curls generally stick together during the night.  You can also use some Shea Butter Conditioner mix with a little water in a spray bottle to help keep your natural hair moisturized and hydrated.  Be sure to separate the synthetic hair to expose your scalp and braids to spray the mixture.   

 

In short, to keep your CROCHET BRAIDS looking fresh while taking care of your hair: Keep the hair tied up at night, keep your hair and scalp nourished underneath,work out tangles and knots as needed with a moisturizer, cut the knotted ends when needed, co-wash as needed, shake and Go!  That's all to it!! 

If you are in San Diego, and would like to try out some CROCHET BRAIDS, please give Mosci a call at 619.642.9382.

The hair used in the post is Janet Collection: HAVANA MAMBO CROCHET BRAIDS click here to purchase.

Is My Daughter to Young to Wear Extensions in Her Hair + What is the Proper Age For Extensions

I get this question a lot.  "IS MY DAUGHTER TO YOUNG TO GET EXTENSIONS??"

Let me say this in writing! Not me, or anyone else can tell you if your child is to young for extensions. If you feel as a parent the best hair care for your child would be to have individual braids, cornrows or twists in her hair, by all MEANS, have some extensions put in her hair!  Now, if you are talking about a baby or a child that is a toddler, I wouldn't advise it.  But again, it is your child, and you should know what is best for her.

On another note, Black women as a whole will never deny the convenience of forsaking the daily routine of constant manipulation to our hair.  Not to mention how the extensions protect our ends from damage.  Why would you not want this for your daughter's hair? 

However with a child there are more things to consider when deciding to have extensions added to her hair.  One, how thin is her hair?  Two, how fragile is her hair?  The younger the child is, the thinner her hair is. And the older she gets the texture will change, hopefully becoming much thicker. Remember, with most children up until the point of puberty their hair is thinner and fragile and can break and get damaged more easily from the stress of extensions.  Even though this is a hair reality for a lot of children, it is not the reality for all.  I have added extensions in little girls hair as young as two years old, because their hair was thick enough, and healthy enough to handle the extensions.  I have cornrowed little girls hair as young as one year old because their hair was healthy enough to manage the style.  So, again, it would depend on the parent, and the state of the child's hair.

My opinion is, if you don't feel comfortable with having extensions in your baby girl's hair, a great way to get the same look is to braid, cornrow or twist her hair,  just as you would with extensions.  Her hair will still be protected, and the style will promote growth.  When all is said and done, age is just a number.  The appropriate age for extensions is, who really knows???

Moms + Tweens and Teens Agree When It Comes to Individual Braids

In today's world of fast and easy, teens as always looking for quick and easy hairstyles to match their busy lives.  If your tween or teen wants individual braids, it's important for them to know that keeping their hair moisturized and conditioned while in the braids is the smartest and healthiest thing that they can do for their natural hair.  Paying attention to their natural hair while in the braids will help to prevent breakage.

Most tweens and teens enjoy the versatility of individual braids.  This hairstyle allows them to create different types of hairstyles.  Usually moms, tweens and teens want to take a break from the daily challenge of combing the hair, hence one of the reasons for individual braids. If your tween or teen has dry, brittle and breaking hair, you might want to consider braids which promotes hair growth.

There are times when moms, tweens or teens get braids because of the hair being damaged from chemical processing and frequent use of heat and styling, which further damages the hair. In addition, braids are a great way to keep your hair looking great during cold, rainy months or even during hot, humid months, when it becomes more of a challenge to keep the hair from frizzing.

A great addition to braids is to add a different color braid in with the primary color this will add a nice touch of highlights to the hairstyle. Another cool thing tweens or teens can do with the braids is to wear them straight hanging down, or to curl them by braiding the braids in a couple of big braids and then dipping them in really hot water... be very careful while doing this.  The hot water can possible burn you.  When she wants to change up, she can re-dip the braids to make them straight again.

Individual Braids Are Manageable + Easy to Maintain + You Can Create a Variety of Styles

 

Are you having a hard time choosing the right style for your hair? Well don't worry.  Individual braids is one of the easiest styles to maintain and manage. Not only that, they're elegant and classy.  They can be worn in styles for when you are dressed sharper than 2:45, going to club or for a casual outing. You will definitely be able to find that perfect look with individual braids.

Be sure to spray your individual braids every other day, or nightly to keep them from looking dry and old.  An idea mixture for your hair would be some moisturizer and conditioner with a couple of drops of coconut oil or extra virgin oil. Or you can purchase a jar of STYLES WITH PERSONALITY'S Hair Food which promotes hair growth and keeps the hair conditioned.  Just be sure not to over treat your braids.  Extra wet or oily braids will collect dirt and cause a build up.

Healthy Hair Care is an adopted practice!! 

Individual Braids + Twists Is Not The Only HOT Hairstyle For Black Women

Well, well, well.... individual braids and twists are so much in style women from the hood to "Holly-weird" are rocking them.  Another happening style that is making a strong appearance is Crochet braids.  Although they have been on the scene for a long time they have truly gotten their props within this last year.  

The most attractive looking style of the Crochet braids is the look of the Bantu knots and flat twist when they're taking down and styled. The curl it gives is beautiful, tight and creates volume.

Let's get this straight, Crochet braids are not a new trend; women with money, and knowledgeable hairstylists have been rocking this style for years! The style looks so real because your hair is cornrowed and hair is crochet onto your hair with a special tool giving a very natural look. This style is easy, low-maintenance and very versatile. 

The great thing about this style it doesn't have to be sewn in and you don't have to sit at the beauty salon all day to get done.

Okay, so the first thing you need to do is choose from a variety of braiding hair. Marley is one of most common and popular one's. Then, your natural hair has to be completely cornrowed.  The pattern of the braid is completely up to you. Or your stylist.  The crochet hair will then be attached to your hair with a latch hook, which is very easy and basic.

It is just that simple!  Now the fun part begins.... style your hair how ever you would like it to look.

You asked how to maintain it?? No worries.... simply use tea tree oil, and of course, make sure that the hair doesn’t get wet. Just that EASY!!

Tips For Removing Braids + Twists From Your Natural Hair

When removing your extensions be sure to cut the installed hair at least a half inch or more below your own hair and take down with the use of a rat tail comb from the end of the braid to the root. Be gentle when removing the extensions, depending on how long the braids have been in, you can cause some unnecessary hair loss by ripping and tugging to hard.  When uninstalling the hair, you might notice a gathering of product, dirt and lent all mixed together at the base of the hair or along the hair shaft. This is nothing to worry about.  This is a normal occurrence if you keep extensions in for any length of time.  If this happens, you can use an oil and conditioner mixture to loosen the hair that is matted starting from the roots to your ends.

After uninstalling your entire head, on a fully detangled head of hair, shampoo, condition and comb through your hair using a wide tooth comb.  Add a generous amount of deep conditioner to your hair. It can be leave-in or wash out. Now you are ready for a new hairstyle... even more braids or twists!

Signals That Your Individual Braids or Twists Are to Tight

After years of self styling, and styling others hair, here are some very important thing that I've learned during my journey of wearing, and installing extensions to promote healthy hair.

There are some stylist that will style you completely BALD! There are several things that come to mind when I think about installation techniques.

1. TENSION AND EDGE CARE
Some stylists are heavy handed, in which they use entirely too much tension on the hair, pulling it away from the scalp when braiding and twisting as if this is going to make the hairstyle more spectacular.  This is a major assault on the hair follicles and can lead to traction alopecia and even permanent hair loss. It is sad to say that this happens more often than I would like to say. 

Here are some signals to let you know that your braids are too tight.

1. If you have a headache after installation. This definitely should not happen. However, it can happen if you are extremely tender-headed.

2.  If you have little bumps or redness around your hair line or general scalp areas causing discomfort, tingling or itching. Those are inflamed or irritated hair follicles.

3. If you notice a nice amount of white bulbs around your hair line or general scalp area, that is being caused by infected hair follicles.

4. If your face and hairline have you looking like you have had plastic surgery because your braids are so tight, this should never, ever happen.  **This is when you call me to book an appointment. **

5 Things To Consider When Combing a Tender-Headed Child's Hair | Protective Hairstyles Are a Great Thing

Chances are you are reading this post because you have a child that is tender headed.  And combing that child's hair can be a serious challenge.  Dealing with wiggling, crying, whining, and the excuse "I need to use the bathroom" is even more of a headache.  Taking a tender-headed child to a professional stylist is often no better, because of the public display of drama that your child will display.  No worries, there are five simple things that you can do to help make combing your tender-headed child's hair more pleasurable.

1.  Make sure that you have something to keep the child distracted.  Television, a hand-held game, electronic notebook, or coloring book and crayons. 

2. It is very important to use a conditioner after shampooing your child's hair. You can also use detangling spray, hair lotion or hair oil according to your child's hair texture. 

3. Be sure to comb hair in sections. Generally four sections is cool. However, if you find that you need to make more sections to create more comfortable for your child, then do that. Working in sections will make a noted difference when trying to comb your child's hair. 

4. Always, always, always work from the end of the hair towards the scalp. Remembering that the scalp is tender... hold the hair in your hand tighter at the root without pulling it.  Doing this will reduce tugging on the hair and scalp as you comb or brush the hair.  Around the neck and behind the ears are very sensitive, so be extra careful when combing those areas. 

5. After shampooing, conditioning, and making the hair manageable, it would be a great idea to style the child's hair in a protective hairstyle.  This could include cornrows, individual braids, or twists.  These type of hairstyles can stay in for at least two week's at a time.  Just be sure to moisturizer the hair while braided. This will give you, and your child a good two weeks of freedom from the "hair struggle."

REASONS FOR GETTING EDGES RE-BRAIDED AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME

New growth can get ridiculous, real fast! There are times when you don't have time to uninstall and reinstall the entire set of braids, or twists.  No worries, the first two rows can always be re-braided/twisted.  Re-braiding the edges gives the look of newly braided head of hair.  And no one is the wiser that you only did the first two rows.  

This maintenance practice saves you time, and money.  After taking out the edges, be sure to detangle and deep condition before getting the braids redone.  Your edges are already fragile, so be sure to give them a little LOVE.  Doing this can make a protective hairstyle last a lot, lot longer.  i.e. a style can last for two months instead of one.

Need a touch up on those edges, be sure to contact Mosci at 619.642.9382!  Or book your appointment online by clicking here. 

HOW TO KEEP YOUR GIRLS HAIR MOISTURIZED UNDER BRAID AND TWIST EXTENSIONS

I believe the best way to moisturize individual braids, or twists extensions is to use a water-based spritz followed by sealing with a scentless light oil.  This method allows for a nice amount of moisture without causing hair to mesh, loc, or have severe product buildup.  Heavier products, especially thick butters, can build up near the roots and facilitate meshing or loc-ing, especially in thicker individuals.  

Wearing your natural hair in braids in a nice change up, and it allows your hair some "time-off" from all the products, combing and brushing which can sometimes cause breakage.