Category: braid out

What Has My Hair Been Up To?

Posted on by Michelle

Whoa!  Blogging for the first time in a loooong time.  I also took a break from my Youtube channel for a little while but I’m feeling motivated so here I am.  This first post back I thought that maybe I would share pictures of some of the styles I’ve been rockin’ while away from the blog.  I pretty much have been going back and forth between curly and straight.  It has really been a learning experience because I have been forced to really pay attention to my hair and watch for damage.  Yes, the dreaded heat damage that I swore I would do my best to avoid!  Oh well, when it comes down to it I just really enjoy variety and my hair is no exception.


During this time I have rediscovered the Aphogee product line that I used in my Transitioning days.  I’ve been experimenting with the Leave-in (a spray) and the 2 Minute Reconstructor.  I credit both for helping me to retain my curly texture after each heat use.  Now normally you wouldn’t think it necessary to use protein based products on natural hair but in my case, it’s essential.  I’ve seen first hand how heat can do major damage to my curls so the protein just helps to strengthen my hair where it needs it.

I haven’t forgotten about my henna though.  I still like to use it for covering my greys but may get back to using it in the form of henna glosses for conditioning.  Overall, I’m pretty happy with where my hair is right now.  I would like to see a little bit more length though so we’ll see where it ends up; no hurry.

By the way, I’m posting videos more often on my channel on Youtube called, Mitchellzee so check that out for updates on my hair journey, tips and reviews.  Ciao!

1/2 WIGGIN’ IT
WASH N’ GO WITH A HUMP
1/2 UP 1/2 DOWN

WASH N’ GO WITH BANGS PINNED BACK
STRAIGHT
STRAIGHTENED AGAIN
WASH N’ GO (WET HAIR)
SLICKED BACK/ BANDED PONYTAIL

DONUT BUN
CURLY BRAID OUT

Braid Out Using Eco Styler Custard

Posted on by Michelle
Corkscrew Braidout using
DIY Eco Styler Custard

When I discovered how well my little recipe for Eco Styler Custard worked for my wash n’ go, I never really thought of using it any other way.  This was until I recently revisited my Corkscrew Braidout method for an easy no heat style.  That’s when I decided it was time to put the custard to the test.

Normally when I do the braidout I start with stretched hair so that I’ll have more length and bounce.  This means pulling my hair back and letting it airdry for one whole day before starting the braids.  I just didn’t want to be bothered with all that this time so I did the style on damp hair right after I washed, conditioned and detangled.

I pretty much followed the same Corkscrew Braidout method I used in the video (link below).  However, this time I decided to use Paul Mitchell’s The Conditioner for my leave-in.  Then I applied the custard to each section of my hair before braiding and curling the ends.  I didn’t worry about sealing my hair with oil because the custard mixture already has castor, coconut and grapeseed oil in it.  I also switched to smaller grey perm rods because they give me more of a spiral effect than the medium size rollers.

Check out my YouTube Video for the 

The back

I was really surprised with the results.  My hair was very soft to the touch and moisturized.  I’ve been wearing the style for three whole days without applying any other products.  I haven’t seen any weird product build-up and it still feels pretty soft.  I re-braided a few sections that started to look a little fuzzy at the end of day two.  This was because I just slept on it as is one night.  Otherwise, I’ve just been pineappling my hair at night to help keep the curls in tact.

Small grey rods to roll the ends vs. the larger pink rods
both from Sally’s

I’m really thinking about wearing my hair like this more often.  I get to have the big, curly hair I love while keeping my hair stretched.  The bonus is that my ends stay smooth which means fewer single strand knots.  It’s a win, win if you ask me.




3 days later still lots of curls and softness

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival 2011

Posted on by Michelle

I remember attending the very first Cherry Creek Arts Festival when I was in High School.  I was a budding artist and the concept was so cool to me.  Basically, it’s a large scale art event situated right in the middle of the Cherry Creek North shopping district.  There is usually a lot of live music, wine & beer gardens, food and even craft stations for the little ones.  Not only is there lots of cool activities, music and artist booths, but visiting the surrounding shops can be fun too.  Now that I’m older, I enjoy heading to the festival but with the family in tow.  My kids all love to draw so I like to think that maybe the art and artists are an inspiration for them now like the festival was for me when I was younger.  It sounded like a great way to spend my birthday this week which is only 3 days after the 4th of July. 

 Here are a few pictures I took at this years’ event.

My Curly Braid out
Lots of good food

Just couldn’t resist the Smoked Turky Leg
Festive 4th of July bikes

Rockin’ My Fluffy Fro

Posted on by Michelle





Early on in my natural hair journey I started trying styles that I could do at night.  I was finally understanding that my hair would thrive if I could just stay away from the flat iron every morning.  Little did I know that there would be a lot of trial and error.  The braid-out style has always kept me guessing because I could never get it quite right.  Either I chose the wrong products, separated the sections too much or it simply wasn’t dry in time. 

I’ve come to realize that every braid-out I do is different depending on so many different factors.  So instead of cringing at the first sign of poof, I’m learning to just go with it.  In the end, the technique is altering my tight, curly fro and stretching my hair.  This helps with tangles and those nasty little single strand knots.  While I am pleased when the style results in lots of definition and curl, I’m also learning to accept the big fluffy look I sometimes

get.  Most importantly, I rock it in public so that others can see that big hair is beautiful and it’s here to stay.

Braid-out Success with Palmer’s Coconut Oil Replenishing Hair Milk

Posted on by Michelle

Normally when I do a braid-out I end up with frizzy ends.  I always make sure to be very careful when taking the braids down but it just hasn’t been working out.  Another thing that I wrestle with is getting my hair to air dry completely.  I usually spritz my hair with my Aloe Vera juice spray mixture and apply shea butter or some other heavy moisture for hold.  By morning my hair is always damp and we all know what happens if you don’t wait until your hair is completely dry…frizzy, puffy hair.  

Now I’m learning to just start out with dry hair and apply moisturizer to set the style.  This is sometimes my current go-to Palmer’s Coconut Oil Replenishing Hair Milk, or just plain leave-in conditioner.  I like the Hair Milk because it also helps to reduce frizz and lists shea butter as one of the main ingredients.  I then seal the moisture with one of my favorite oils.  
For my most recent braid-out, I used small satin rollers on the ends.  Only this time I wound the last 2 inches of hair around the roller (like a corkscrew) instead of rolling it up flat like I normally do.  The end result was a fabulous, full style with waves and spiral curls.     
Here are some pics

Most recent with curly ends
My Braid-out before with
straight, frizzy ends