Glib Gurl
Well-Known Member
Okay, y'all, so as I mentioned, I got my hair cornrowed for the first time in YEARS. (Basically, it's hot, I don't want to be bothered with my hair, and it's too soon for another relaxer.)
Going to the salon I was extremely nervous. When I made my appointment, I could tell that it was an African salon. The lady was very short with me and didn't seem to understand when I asked her questions (I think it was a language issue, but either way she sounded annoyed). Plus, all y'all had warned me about African braiders making it too tight and ripping out your hairline. So, as I got off the metro, I was extremely nervous . . . .
As I was walking to the salon, I got even MORE nervous . . . this joint was in the G-H-E-T-T-O!
Like, hardcore, no-white-folks-for-miles, what-is-gentrification ghetto! Folks was yellin at nothin, trash was everywhere, and I was surrounded by check cashin joints, fried chicken carryouts and churches. (I am not even making this up *lol*) Being the bourgie, Cosby-kid that I am, I just kept my cool and walked to the salon.
When I got there the door was locked.
At first I thought I had been tricked, but when I knocked they opened it up and let me in. The place was filthy. Dirty floors, cracked salon chairs, old beauty supplies everywhere. But whatev, I'd made the trip, so I was in for the long hall.
I started looking through the books to pic out a style. (Wow - who knew they could make me look like Beyonce circa 1997 straight from the pages of Black Hair Sophisticates) I found a pic from some random hair magazine that represented what I wanted - simple, clean, and fit for the workplace.
I explained that I wanted cornrows using my own hair. One of the ladies started fussing at me (and to her co-workers in a different language) that I needed to get fake hair put in so it would last (because I have relaxed hair). But the owner was like, "No! She wants her own hair - it is fine. Just use rubberbands on the ends."
So, I settle into the chair and was wincing like, "Please don't make it too tight! Please be careful around my hairline!" The girl just nodded and got to braiding.
Well, ladies, I was worried for nothing. The braider did an excellent job! She didn't braid it too tight at all - and she was very gentle around my edges. Overall, I am very pleased - and definitely think I will be adding braids to my hair repetoire. (Although this will be tricky as I work in a rather conservative business - not sure how they'll handle it.)
Here are some pics:
Anyhoo, I have a bunch of questions now:
1. How can I clean my scalp/hair with these braids in? (I've heard of people using a q-tip and rubbing alcohol, but that seems rather drying to me.)
2. I will probably end up taking the braids out myself so how can I do it so as to preserve the edges?
3. Do I have to wait a certain amount of time after taking out the braids before getting a relaxer? (I'm just concerned that my scalp will be too "raw" for the chemicals.)
4. Any other tips or suggestions for how to maintain the style and my hair? (I know to keep my hair moisturized and also to sleep with a scarf on.)
Going to the salon I was extremely nervous. When I made my appointment, I could tell that it was an African salon. The lady was very short with me and didn't seem to understand when I asked her questions (I think it was a language issue, but either way she sounded annoyed). Plus, all y'all had warned me about African braiders making it too tight and ripping out your hairline. So, as I got off the metro, I was extremely nervous . . . .
As I was walking to the salon, I got even MORE nervous . . . this joint was in the G-H-E-T-T-O!
Like, hardcore, no-white-folks-for-miles, what-is-gentrification ghetto! Folks was yellin at nothin, trash was everywhere, and I was surrounded by check cashin joints, fried chicken carryouts and churches. (I am not even making this up *lol*) Being the bourgie, Cosby-kid that I am, I just kept my cool and walked to the salon.When I got there the door was locked.
At first I thought I had been tricked, but when I knocked they opened it up and let me in. The place was filthy. Dirty floors, cracked salon chairs, old beauty supplies everywhere. But whatev, I'd made the trip, so I was in for the long hall. I started looking through the books to pic out a style. (Wow - who knew they could make me look like Beyonce circa 1997 straight from the pages of Black Hair Sophisticates
) I found a pic from some random hair magazine that represented what I wanted - simple, clean, and fit for the workplace.I explained that I wanted cornrows using my own hair. One of the ladies started fussing at me (and to her co-workers in a different language) that I needed to get fake hair put in so it would last (because I have relaxed hair). But the owner was like, "No! She wants her own hair - it is fine. Just use rubberbands on the ends."
So, I settle into the chair and was wincing like, "Please don't make it too tight! Please be careful around my hairline!" The girl just nodded and got to braiding.
Well, ladies, I was worried for nothing. The braider did an excellent job! She didn't braid it too tight at all - and she was very gentle around my edges. Overall, I am very pleased - and definitely think I will be adding braids to my hair repetoire. (Although this will be tricky as I work in a rather conservative business - not sure how they'll handle it.)
Here are some pics:
Anyhoo, I have a bunch of questions now:
1. How can I clean my scalp/hair with these braids in? (I've heard of people using a q-tip and rubbing alcohol, but that seems rather drying to me.)
2. I will probably end up taking the braids out myself so how can I do it so as to preserve the edges?
3. Do I have to wait a certain amount of time after taking out the braids before getting a relaxer? (I'm just concerned that my scalp will be too "raw" for the chemicals.)
4. Any other tips or suggestions for how to maintain the style and my hair? (I know to keep my hair moisturized and also to sleep with a scarf on.)
- so I just felt icky and gross all over.) I used Soft & Beautiful Botanical Spray to help take out the braids. (I did have one major breakage issue with this one teeny tiny braid . . . I couldn't detangle it and ended up ripping off about an inch of hair 
) Overall, though, the braids came out fine. I used some Queen Helene hot oil as a pre-poo (under a cap for 30 minutes.) Then I did a moisturizing shampoo (Elasta QP (sp?) - my first time using it and I actually think it left my hair too*squeaky* clean . . .) Then I hopped out of the show and put some Silicon Mix in my hair (trying to restore the moisture - again the *squeaky* cleanness has me worried). I've been sitting under a dryer with the Silicon Mix in for about an hour. I'm getting ready to wash it out. Will towel-dry, add a leave-in, and then baggy.
