Saturday, January 22, 2011

My mullet solution

Issue:  My hair looks like a mullet because (a) I have a looser curl patter at the back and sides than the top, and (b) I tried to "trim" my own hair a few months ago... fail!

Lately I've been feeling like cutting my hair again. During times like this, when I start to get frustrated with the length, I know I have to change it up.  Really, I just want a more definitive shape.

Solution:  Before I visit one of my fave stylists again, I'm going to try to style it into a shape using a method I saw it on YouTube via a CurlyNikki post.  By the way, if anyone can think of which vlogger first posted this, please tell me so I can give her credit.  In her video, she basically used gel on the portion of her hair she wanted to look shorter, stretched the part she wanted to look longer, and then blended so it wouldn't look obvious.  I did this when my hair was about 4-6 inches long and it works splendidly well.  This will be my first time trying it on longer hair (about 8-9 inches).

1) Because I've been experiencing breakage lately, I decided to do a light protein treatment by co-washing with Organix Coconut Milk conditioner.  You can get a big bottle of this at BJ's for around $6, I think.  I also detangled with this and rinsed it all out.
2) I caught most of the water in a microfiber turban, so I could work damp hair.
3) I sealed with coconut oil, lightly finger combing it through, then I parted my hair from ear to ear horizontally.
4) I raked Kinky-Curly Curling Custard (KCCC) through the lower half with my fingers.  I did medium-sized two-strand twists on the top part of my hair.  Then I tied it down with a scarf for a few hours until it was dry.

When I took my hair down, I blended the top and bottom section by fluffing with a wide tooth comb at the root.  The result:


Ta-da!  OK, it's probably hard to see it in the pics, but the result is sort of a shruken, but very well defined, curly section at the nape blended with a looser curl/twist-out at the top, which I like it... very much.


As for second day hair, I wasn't expecting to keep much of that shape.  I'm actually OK with frizz. I slept on a satin pillowcase, without a scarf or bonnet.  In the morning, I spritzed with DevaCurl Set It Free -- which by the way smells fantastic in the morning, fluffed with my fingers coated with a bit of coconut oil, and voila:


There are a few flat pieces, which I tried to twirl a bit, but for the most part, it's a fluffier, frizzier version of the previous day.

4 comments:

alldaynatural said...

What a great idea! The front part of my hair has a looser curl pattern than the rest. I usually braid, twist or roll it under, but I never thought about applying gel. I have to try this asap.

By the way, your hair and your photos are absolutely gorgeous! ;-)

Unknown said...

@alldaynatural - Thank you! :)

Roni said...

Love your hair!

Unknown said...

@Roni - thank you sis :)