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August 24, 2012

Finger Coils & Braidouts & Straw Sets, Oh My! (Pic Heavy)

Hi all! 
Since I cut the rest of my relaxer off and finally became 100% natural, I've been experimenting with different methods and looks. This post is a quick breakdown of the ones I've tested so far.


Finger Coils
This was my first attempt at finger coils on my whole head. The method I used was to literally separate my hair and coil individual pieces of it. The only products used are the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Treatment and water. I think next time I'll try using gel too. Here's how it turned out:


(Excuse the Cantu Leave-in at the top right! Gotta blend that in better next time!)
VERDICT: I really like the curl definition! My main gripe about this style is that when it dries, there is mucho shrinkage. Shrinkage isn't really my enemy, but if I'm going for a stretched look, this isn't the way until my hair gets a little longer. 

Braidout
This was my first braidout ever in which I didn't have to use something to secure the ends of my braids!!! Remember when I used to have the problem of imminent unraveling!? Now I just braid my hair up and finger coil the ends and they stay put! Wooh! Just like this:



And this was the result:

Compared to how it would turn out at the very beginning of my transitioning journey:

Maaaaaajor volume difference!!
VERDICT: I like the braidout, but it's not quite my favorite look. I really haven't mastered it yet and need more practice before I'll feel comfortable wearing it out like this. Plus, there are still a few straight ends scattered about and I feel like they're very visible because, just like when I was all relaxed, the ends don't curl.


Straw Set
Of course. The go-to. It doesn't look much different from what it looked like before I cut the ends off: 



BUT, it looks VERY different from the straw sets at the beginning of my journey as well:

Yet ANOTHER dramatic change.  Uh..i think you know the verdict for this one! I love it so much more now! It looks so......."lifeless," is the word that comes to mind, in that last pic! Since I've been straw setting throughout my whole transition and this major volume change was gradual, it's still a shock to see it side-by-side every time! Lol.

Click Here For My Straw Set Tutorial

Speaking of straw-sets, I am definitely going to be doing a giveaway of a "Straw Set Kit" for one lucky blog reader. If you're transitioning, this is perfect for you. I plan to give away all of the products I used (and am still using) to create a straw set during my own long-term transition.  I need to make a video to let my YouTube subscribers in on the details and once that happens, I'll post them here as well. But, I wanted to give my loyal American readers a heads-up before then! (I am soooooo sorry to exclude international readers, but I don't have the resources to ship overseas at the moment. It's a possibility for future giveaways though!) So, be on the look out for that! 

Aaaand..speaking of YouTube, this post has inspired me to do a video montage of side-by-side comparisons of hairstyles just like this. I think that's what's next on my YT video to-do list!

Well, that's all for now!
Thank you for reading and have GREAT weekend! 

P.S. You can follow me on Instagram for more hair photos! My username is "diimpulz."
If you choose to follow, let me know that you found me through my blog! =)

8 comments:

  1. found you girl! love your pics.. my IG is @_prettydistinct

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  2. Great posts! What an inspiration! I found you on youtube and hadddd to read your blog. I am a +2year transitioner and I just can not seem to let my ends go. I've done the twist outs, braid outs, bantu knot, flexi-rods...you name it and I just do not get the same definition as full naturals like you. After seeing the difference in your styles...I'm going to cut my relaxed ends!! Eeeek! Preferably, just before I try your straw-set :) Say, have you given away your straw set kit? I would love to have it and start my new natural journey with it! I searched for your youtube video with the details but didn't see it. I just subscribed to your channel :) My youtube isn't fancy at all but I'll list it below

    Thank you for sharing your story.
    Ava P (MissJeaniie)

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    1. You are so sweet. =)
      I can't wait to hear about your results! And no!
      I haven't given it away yet! Ahh! I have all the products sitting here in my room, collecting dust. lol. I hope to be giving it away by the end of this month though! Thank you for stopping by my YT channel and my blog! =)

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  3. Hi! I just started my transition after going through all your blogs/videos. THEY'RE AMAZINGG!! I love the texture of your hair so much and how full it's become. I'm still in the trying phase of products for my hair and just did my first straw set tonight for my birthday tomorrow (: I was also wondering if you had already conducted your giveaway for your stuff because it would be an AWESOME help for me to see what you used and try it out as well! God bless!

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    Replies
    1. What a sweet comment! How did the straw set turn out? No, i haven't done the giveaway yet. I plan to do it sometime soon, so you still have a shot. =)

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    2. It's didn't turn out to bad actually. I like the way it shows a natural look on me but I haven't mastered keeping it curled at the roots after two days. Any suggestions? OH and you also inspired me to start a transition blog, so the pictures are up there if you wanna see (:

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  4. you finger coil out makes me want to get a hair cut and try it and I've been natural for 5 years! great job

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