January 31, 2017

Flexi-rod Fun!

I was browsing ebay for hair stuff and came across these flexible foam rods that I've been hearing people talk about. They were only like 78 cents for 10 of them so I decided to try them out.

After getting my hair straightened for the first time, I quickly realized that it would NOT last very long (a good 3 days). I decided to try the rods out on the last poofy days of my press. This is how it looked starting out:


Lol...kind of like a 1950s housewife right?

So after watching like 4 or 5 tutorials on how to correctly install the rods, I went ahead and put them in. *sings* "You know this hair is mine; I rolled the rod; I gave it time". 



Since the set only came with ten I had to use kind of big sections of hair in each. I think it would probably work out a little better with smaller sections. I put on my newly acquired bonnet to protect it through the night :)

Taking it down my hair was looking pretty crazy...


 But I finger picked the curls out and found a good side part that I brushed down for styling. Here's the look from all 4 sides:

I've tried it a couple more times afterwards (using just washed/wet hair instead of semi-damp unwashed hair) and I love the results more and more each time:






I still don't think that I have perfected the method, and I definitely need to buy about 3 or 4 more packs, but I think it's a good start.

Drop a pic of your favorite natural hair flexi-rod set!

What are some other methods you use to give your fro definition?

- "Mo hair"

 
Rahkua Ishakarah

Instagram: @aHeadOfMyHair

DONATE TO MY PROJECT AFRICA CAMPAIGN:

iHEARTrahkua@gmail.com


January 24, 2017

STYLE ALERT: Twisted Back Double Puff

The back of my hair often frustrates me because of how short it is. And I know, I know, you're tired of hearing that. BUT, it's SO short lol. I now feel like I have conquered it though! I have found a trick to disguise the fact that it's so short and to make it actually make a high ponytail or puff. I'm so excited.


So I achieve my high double puffs by twisting the back into 4 horizontal rows that converged into each other. Then I vertically twist the horizontal twists upward into a puff that secure with a hairband. This is what the back looks like so you can get a visual image of what I mean:

Not only does it look kool, adding an extra little kick to a fairly simple hairstyle, but it also helps me to disguise the fact that my hair wouldn't be long enough to go up into those high puffs otherwise because of how short it is! I love this new discovery!




I actually first tested the little trick for my birthday weekend. I wanted a highbun for the Magic Castle excursion I was going on and I was determined to make it work. This is what I came up with: 

Since that was such a success, I decided to try it out on a double track and was even happier with the results. As my puffs got a little older, I decided to protect the ends from drying out while still keeping the twists up. It resulted in this cool Minnie Mouse look:

What little tricks do you use to make your short hair more manageable for styling?

- "Mo hair"

 
Rahkua Ishakarah

Instagram: @aHeadOfMyHair

DONATE TO MY PROJECT AFRICA CAMPAIGN:

iHEARTrahkua@gmail.com


January 17, 2017

STYLE ALERT: Braided Halo

I wrote this post a couple months ago and realized that I forgot to post it! Although I don't have my locs anymore, I thought I'd still share the style with you all in case you wanted to recreate it for yourself!

I like to keep myself busy with kool little side jobs, and among those is Magician Assistant. I assist the wonderful Mayseo the Magician in his magic act and we had a show for a festival in Long Beach. Here is my hair do:
So I chose a tamed updo not only because it looks great, lol, but also so that all my long inches wouldn't get in the way of making sure we pull off each spectacle flawlessly. And I absolutely love really simple hairdos that look like they are the most intricate thing in the world. It was quick, easy, and wearable for at least two weeks without having to redo my hair...the perfect combination.

So I started with a side part because, I love those. I braided downwards about 4 braids on one side and about 7 on the other side with my loose natural hair. Then I braided those group of braids to the side in a sort of braid bang. The pictures hopefully explain what I mean.
Then I got the locs and braided one side across the center of my head and down the side. I plaited the rest of the locs into about 3 free standing braids (not attached to scalp). Then I took all the pieces and wrapped them in a sort of halo using mostly tucking to hold it in place....maybe one bobby pin.
Then I got my hair toothbrush and made my edges neat :) Here's a back view:

And that was my really simple, but intricate style!


- "Mo hair"

 
Rahkua Ishakarah

Instagram: @aHeadOfMyHair

DONATE TO MY PROJECT AFRICA CAMPAIGN: