3 Easy Afro Puff Styles No Styling Tools Needed!

On my quest to retain length, my afro (HoneyPuff is her name) seldom comes out to play.  But on the occassion that she decides to make an appearance, I have fun creating quick and easy styles to show her off.

For me, the key to success is NOT to use traditional styling tools...who needs them when you have your fingers?  

Hair Steaming with Q-Redew

Keeping your hair moist, is one of the essential steps in retaining the length of your hair.

Steaming is a great way to add moisture.  When I'm not in the mood to completely wet my tresses, I use the Q-Redew vapor wand to loosen up, re-moisturize, and even to refresh my wash and go's and other styles.  

I've enjoyed using this convenient tool for a couple years now, and my mane loves it.   Check out my review and demo below:

If you have this nifty little tool tell us how you like it, and if it lifted the spirits of your dry hair.  If you don't have the Q-Redew, but plan to invest in one, take advantage of the coupone codes below.    

'Tis the season to enjoy discounts!   Merry saving!

Cheap, Deep Protein Conditioning Hair Mask

Protein is essential to having strong hair.  Not everyone needs a protein treatment all the time.  My strands felt thinner, more fragile, and the elasticity wasn't there, so I knew it was time for some protein.  A hamburger for me and milkshake for Honey Puff...

Okay, that didn't happen. LOL        

Anywho, I'd been so busy lately, that I hadn't had time to pamper my tresses the way they deserve.  As much as I enjoy playing in and styling my natural hair, I simply don't believe it should take tons of time or MONEY caring for it. 

So, for this deep co treatment, I started the night before, and opted for simple, CHEAP, and moisture & protein packed.  Below are the only products I needed to feed my soul -- and my hair.

- Coconut oil  - I stock up on mine from Amazon. I prefer the 2-pack, because it's cheaper.
- Conditioner of choice - To keep cost low, I selected what I had on hand.
- Plain yogurt - Whatever brand is on sale. 

100% Organic Coconut Oil

First, I finger detangled.  For this step I used coconut oil, because it easily penetrates the hair shaft, helps the hair retain moisture, and helps to reduce protein loss.  All which makes the hair soft and manageable.

Conditioner

Next, I applied GENEROUS amounts of a conditioner that I got from a hotel while on vacation.  Turns out, it was Giovanni's 50/50 Balanced Hydrating Conditioner.  I'd never used it before -- didn't know the brand name until I went through my product stash that night.  

Anywho, I put on my plastic curl cap and HEAD RAG (yes, I said it), and allowed my hair to "bake" overnight. 

Plain yogurt

The next day, I added plain yogurt.  Yogurt helps with making your hair soft, easy to detangle, and adding extra moisture.  The acid in yogurt helps to contract the cuticle layer, which makes the hair appear smoother and shinier = reduces frizz.

Deep Conditioning Application

Deep Conditioning Under Thermo Cap

And this was me all day, rockin' my thermo, Jiffy pop pop popcorn situation like a champ.  LOL!  That evening, I rinsed, co-washed and go'd.  Translation:  I did a wash and go.  tee  hee!   


Thanks for reading!

RallyGirl♥

P.S.
I have no idea why the fonts and colors in this post look so wack.  O.o

Natural Hair Terms

Yes, it's true.  Us Afro Heads are a culture that has it's own language if you will.  It tickles me to see kinky, curly, coily haired celebs explain as they show off the fact that they TOO are part of this special crew.

Non-naturals, the Afro-hair curious, and transitioners are sometimes thrown off by this unique terminology, so it's a good idea to list a few terms here:

Transitioning: The period in which you're growing out your relaxed or heat-damaged hair, so that it returns to it's natural state. 

Big Chop:  You're in transition, but decide to cut off the remainder of the damaged hair.

TWA:  Teeny Weeny Afro.

BAA:  Big A$$ Afro.

Co-Wash:  Cleansing the hair with a conditioner (with a lot of slip), in place of using shampoo.  This is done to help retain moisture and to avoid stripping the hair of it's natural oils.

No Poo: See Co-Wash.

Pre-Poo: Process of moisturizing/conditioning and detangling the hair prior to co-washing.

Slip:  Term used to describe the loose viscosity, that some conditioners have.   Conditioners with a lot of "slip" are the best to use for co-washing, versus those with a creamier thickness.

EVOO:  Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  One of the many oils used in the natural haircare regimen.

Holy Grail:  Must have products that one remains loyal to, based on great results.

Shrinkage:  The visual reduction of length as Afro-textured hair dries into it's natural coil/curl pattern.

Stretching:  The act of manipulating the hair from shrinking into it's natural pattern.  Several techniques can be used to stretch the hair so that more length is revealed. 

Banding:  Technique used to stretch the hair, by putting hair bands down the length of two or more ponytails. 

Pineappleing:  A bedtime routine/technique where your curls are pulled into a high ponytail.  This helps maintain the curl/coil pattern by keeping them from being crushed, and out of the way while sleeping. 

Palm Tree Method™: A technique used to stretch twist outs, wash & go's and other kinky curly hairstyles.  Typically done at bedtime by first pulling the hair into a high ponytail (pineapple), then adding Puff Cuff Clamps up the length of the ponytail for added stretch.  (Puff Cuff Clamps are preferred, but you can use hair ties)

Brist: A combination of a braid and twist.  Usually, started by braiding the hair at the base, then at the desired point, completing with a twist.

Dust(ing): A process used to quick-trim/maintain your ends.  Usually done between regular trims.

Product Junky (PJ):  The person who buys lots of products on a quest for the PERFECT product for the hair.

Length Retention:  The process in which you care for the hair in order to keep its length.

Length Check:  When you take a measurement of your hair to see its progress.

Length Check T-Shirt:  A t-shirt that has lines on the back so that length retention progress (hair) can be measured. 

Definition/Curl Definition:  The hair pattern when in it's most curled state.  When the curl pattern is not defined, the hair is frizzy; for type 4 naturals that means the hair is in an Afro state.

Curl Clumpage/Clumped Curls:  The separation of one set if curled hair strands to the next.

Below are terms to describe hair length:

BSL:  Bra Strap Length
MBL:  Mid Back Length

APL:  Arm Pit Length

TBL:  Tailbone Length

WL:  Waist Length

L.O.C. Method:  Liquid, Oil, Cream.  The formula used to lock moisture into the hair. 

Cocktail (ing) (ed):  Mixture of 2 or more hair products/ingredients.

Protective Styles:  Hairstyles worn for an extended period of time (usually 2 to 4 weeks), to avoid natural hair manipulation.  These styles are often selected to help retain length, and include keeping the ends (of the hair) tucked away from the elements.  Ex: Braids, cornrows, twists, updo's, crochet braids, etc.  

Low Manipulation Styles:  Hairstyles worn for an extended period of time (usually 3 to 4 days), to reduce natural hair manipulation. These styles are selected to help retain length, but ends of hair aren't necessarily tucked away. Ex: Wash & Go, Twist Outs, Braid Outs, Buns, etc. 

Some of the items mentioned; click on the images to learn more. 

Puff Cuff Clamps:  

Length Check TShirts:   

Hair Trimming Shears: