Style Points: Box Braids

Hello there ladies! I haven't done box braids in a while. But I decided on this style when I washed my hair. I plan on taking them out in a few days for a braid out, depending on how I feel. I definitely like the convenience of them.

Why box braids?

• Great protective style
• Easy maintenance
• Stretches hair (better than twists in my opinion)
• Clean and neat style 
• You can wash/co-wash your hair with them in 
• Transitioning-friendly hair style

How did I do it?

• Start with freshly washed and de-tangled hair
• Use some type of moisturizing and styling product for moisture and hold. 
• I used shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie and bioinfusion olive oil leave in conditioner
• Braid to the size of your choice
• When I get to the ends of the braids, I curl them around my finger for a nice finish on my braid out
• It took me 1 hour and 15 minutes for a medium size 

How do I maintain this look?

• In the evening, moisturize with about a nickel size of oil (I use jojoba) 
• Tie it up and go to bed!

How long can I leave them in?

A week to a month there is great flexibility with this style. In the past I have done these smaller and left them in for a month. The great thing about them is that you can wash them with limited frizzing. 

Transitioning-friendly? What do you mean?

Transitioning in 2009

This was one of my favorite transitioning styles. As you can see in the pictures below, my ends are still relaxed. I didn't always braid them all the way down either which is another option. However, this style kept my hair up and out of the way. It was versatile with styling options, easy to wash and ended in a cute braid out when I finally took them out!

Do I do them on wet or dry hair?

I did mine on wet hair this time but you can do it on wet or dry hair! It is up to you :)

 So give box braids a try! God bless you!

Sorry for the car pics- I am always on the go! But I love ya'll and this blog so I get my pics in however I can :) LOVES!

Product Review: Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

I have been interested to see how shea butter works in my hair, so I picked up Shea Moisture Curl Enhancer Smoothie. A product review has already been done by Sheena. You can read that by clicking here!

Where did you buy it and how much does it cost? I bought this product at Walgreens. It is also available for purchase online if you don't have this product in your local Walgreens.

The cost is $9.99 plus tax for a 12 oz. container.

What is the product description?

• Restores moisture, body and shine
• For thick, curly hair
• Reduces breakage, strengthens hair

Nutrient rich vegetable butters condition hair, restoring moisture, body and shine. Enhances curls, minimizes frizz and provides curl control. For thick, curly hair. Sulfate-free and color-safe.

Coconut oil: Hydrates and protects hair from heat and chemical damage

Silk protein: Reduces breakage, strengthens hair, adds smoothness and silkiness

Neem oil: An age-old ayurvedic oil that strengthens hair and provides brilliant shine

No parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, animal testing, PABA, synthetic color, DEA, or animal ingredients

How do I use it?

Dispense a dime-size amount into hands and massage into damp or dry hair. Style as desired

May also be used as a deep conditioner; apply to wet hair and leave on for 15 minutes.
 
What are the ingredients?
Deionized Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Vegetable Glycerin , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Silk Protein , Ammonium Salt , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Sorbitol Esters , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5) , Caprylyl Glycol , Essential Oil Blend , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle) , Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
 
My Review:
I love this product! I seem to say that about a lot of products don't I? Well it smells great and I love how thick the product is. The first time I used it, I used too much- so my hair wasn't how I wanted it to turn out. I can tell I used too much because I have read that using too much shea butter can cause your hair to feel "coated". However, I can tell this product works because it SMOOTHED my hair down. Thats a miracle ya'll! I have the hardest time with frizzies in the front of my hair. So this product allows me to lay down those stubborn strands. My hair also feels very moistuized and nourished.
 
I washed, conditioned and then deep conditioned my hair. Then I used this product to detangle and twist my hair. I wore a beautiful twist out on Sunday - and of course forgot to take pictures! So this weekend is my husbands graduation so I will use this product again and take pictures. I plan to look pretty fierce :) That is if my hair cooporates!
 
You can read several reviews about this product,
 here, here and here!