Highlights...are just not for me quite yet.
Well, that wasn't the case. My hair did not take to the highlighting process as I thought it would. What I was hoping for, did not happen. My hair is very porous, and although my black rinse had worn away, it would have taken some time to bring black (or dark hair) to a lighter hue without damaging it. So instead of highlights, I received what would be considered a red low-light.
Instead of bronze, my hair had a bit of blonde highlight in the front and red at the root. Although I didn't request red, it was subtle. I was happy with the color, at first....but once I left the salon, I had a change of heart. Inside, I had an "idea" of what I wanted and I felt that ...well, I looked the same. I noticed that no one commented on my look, no one noticed anything, and I think....if you are any black woman who has just gotten her hair done...you expect someone to say something right.
Well, after careful consideration, I felt that I should have stuck to my gut wrenching hesitation about highlights and just not have gotten them. I asked my neighbor, who is a beautician, when would it be feasible to have it colored back to solid color. Once checking my hair, I was informed that it could be colored to a "natural dark caramel" within four to five days. This would my scalp and hair to adjust and adapt. She used "Organic Hair Color Curl Hair Dye" to restore my hair to a dark but softer color brown. Organic Hair Color /Dye is ammonia free and is not damaging to the cuticle or proteins that develop the melatonin (or natural pigmentation) in my hair.
So now I am happy with my hair. There is no damage, but I have been prescribed to condition it heavily, increase my warm towel treatments, moisturize, and seal in the moisture for a week or two to maintain it's balance and elasticity. I am also keeping my hair in double twisted knots (as you see by the pictures) as a protective style to minimize any breakage.
I twisted (double stranded twist) my hair myself. It took at least two hours. It would have taken longer if I had done smaller twist, but because of the fragility of my hair, I thought bigger twist best. Also, the double stranded twist allow my scalp to breath. I prepped my hair with with water and Alaffia Shea Butter Lotion. Whenever my hair felt dry, I would spray water on my hair, which seemed to reactivate the Shea Butter lotion, and twist away. I added Lusti's Organics Gel to tame my edges once I was completed.
My "deer stuck in the headlights" look:P
"The organic dye did wonders"
Now its time to keep it moisturized and sealed.
What I have learned from this experience is that at this time, I am just not ready for highlights. I think I will do this after a year or a year and several months worth of growth. At this time, I just want to maintain moisture, keep protective styles, and enjoy my "natural color".
Happy Growing and Peace of Christ
The Lost Girl
