How I Air-Dry - Two Braid Tutorial :)

So, I am about 15 weeks post relaxer and, while I have this wonderful new growth, this is the time when my hair starts getting a bit tangly and thick. A lot of people ask me ways to stretch relaxers or deal with new growth with out running to the salon.

Here is my tip - as you stretch, try to find ways to manipulate your hair less and less. Make bigger braids and sections and it will cause you to fight with your hair less and less. I tend to go from roller sets to braid outs to two braid air drys. I gradually stop sectioning and combing and opt for styles that require less manipulation. This way I work with my natural texture and go with styles that airdry overnight and are a bit fuller. It saves me a lot of time and energy. Its also a great easy style that can be done daily for the work out divas. Click on the post to read the written instructions :)

 

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How I did it :)

I co-washed after my work out with Sauve Coconut Conditioner
I applied Keracare Conditioning Creme Headdres and ORS serum to sopping wet hair
I made a center part and slicked down the hair with a wide tooth comb, braided and secured ends with Hype Hair rollers.
I applied a quarter size amount of Nourish and shine to roots and covered my hair tightly with a doo rag. It took less than 10 minutes.

Woke up the next morning, unraveled braids, fluffed up roots and was all set :)

If you want to see the pictures with commentary on each photo, click here and check out the pics under "My Photos".

Comments

[Tiffany]

I did a braid out this week and it was kinda frizzy and dry the next morning. So maybe I need to use a serum to help??

Macherie - A good moisturizer helps along with a serum to figt frizz. Also, the hair has to been almost completely dry or you will get frizz.

[MyJaLe]

Looks beautiful! My last relaxer was in March and I am trying to stretch as long as I can and it is becoming a hassle. I did a two strand twist out last night and it came out dry and slightly frizzy this morning. I will take the advice you stated to Tiffany and I will try this style as well. Thanks!

[Rachel Lee]

That has been my favorite way of air drying my hair since I've been trying to stretch my relaxer! But I'd like trying the products you use, as well as fluffing my roots :) I noticed I really don't like how my hair is so flat out top and then poofy on the way down, so that's a great solution.

[crystcraw]

Hey:
My hair is short and on the thinner side, will braid-outs work for me? My ends are thin and cannot be braided to the tips because it unravels quickly.HELP!

[Shakeena]

Thanks for the instructions! This is a great style I'll probably try soon!

[DeeDee]

Very cute:) Looks good on you.

[gg]

your hair is so FAB...im jealous. :))

[ATxQueen]

Macherie, at this point in your stretch, how often are you co-washing?

I'm in my 11th week and noticing I'm co-washing every other day and I don't know if that's too much since I'm a 4a/4b.

[Chelle]

Very nice results!! I'm definitely going to try this method later in my stretch. Thanks!

[Tammie]

*bowing down* thanks Mach: great tutorial: gotta try this asap

[Keke]

Macherie, did you put a scarf or bonnet on your hair as well or did you sleep on a satin pillow?

[Stefanie]

Macherie, your waves are so gorgeous. I've done a few braidouts and not sure if I allowed enough time to airdry because it was damp in some spots. Do you typically allot a certain amount of hours and would it be okay to sit under a hooded dryer to speed up the process?

Macherie: Yep, I do them sopping wet and then go to sleep with in an hour or two. In the morning, they are still damp in the back so I unravel the ends first and slowly unravel the braids as they dry if Im heading out. If its the weekend, I throw on a cute headband and rock the braids until the next day when I unravel them for good.

[Christina]

I usually go every 2 month or 2 1/2 for next touch-up. I just don't feel like sitting at the salon enduring the process of all that pasty chemical on my hair. It feels so uncomfortable and I be so glad when it's time to wash that stuff out! Anyway I usally just wash my hair, condition it, blow-dry it and then wrap it up.

[Nina]

Hi Macherie your waves are beautiful.I was wondering do you Dc(with heat by using a hood dryer) when you cowash? I'm 8 weeks post and this a great alternative for using less heat.Particularly in my case my scalp is a bit dry.I'll try it!

Macherie - Oh I dont dc during the summer. One, im too lazy. Two, its too hot and three, cowashing give me enough moisture that I can skip it ;)

[Chocolate Chiq]

I am almost at the end of week 14, and I have recently found out about the advantages of braid outs. I still have a tendency to comb thru my hair each time I wet it, I am going to have to learn how to manipulate it without a comb...or at least get a much wider wide tooth comb.

[Holley]

I typically work out 4-5 days/week and after my hair is always soaking wet. I have been looking for a style I can wear rather than a ponytail or bun. Is this something that I can do on a daily basis without causing damage to my hair? I wasnt sure if too much wetting and manipulation of the hair can cause my hair to break. Also, how often is it possible to co-wash without damaging the hair?

[celia]

Whenever I do a braid out. I cannot seem to get rid of the part where my hair was parted and then braided on both sides. It will be all wavy but for the damn part in the middle!

[Dream]

Holley I run and work out every single day so I am a sweaty mess too. I have a home office so I am able to do sets and things during the day. I co-wash DAILY and can tell you that my hair loves it. Try to use something light (loving vo5 right now the silk protein champagne kiss my hair loves). Also I think the damage comes from overmanipulation of WET hair. I scrunch w/moisturizer and airdry for ringlets, also I use lottabody with roller set/air dry, ponytail set/airdry or bump with sunsilk thermashine and curling iron on LOW once a week. good luck!