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Summer Hair Care: Protect Your Strands With Hats

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When summer hits, the harmful exposure to the UV rays, humidity, and sweat can wreak havoc on your strands. The Hair Foundation warns us by stating “the ultraviolet wavelengths break chemical bonds in the keratin proteins that constitute most of the bulk and strength of the hair shaft.” Large doses of exposure to the sun can leave your relaxed ends dull, dry and weak!

I make it a habit to wear hats in the summer. Honestly, I’m not a fan of “hat hair” but my hair has benefitted from wearing them. If I’m spending a lot of time outside, the best option for my relaxed hair is wearing a hat. Wearing a wide brimmed fedora gives me larger coverage and protection from the scorching sun. There are tons of styles to play with i.e. baseball caps, small and large fedoras, cowboy hats etc. Hats have been my “go-to” style for my relaxed strands, not to mention, it’s a wonderful accessory for bad hair days!

For ladies with relaxed-color treated hair, the sun can cause fading and dulling of the hair along with dryness, so be careful! If hats aren’t your thing, opt for trendy turbans or sophisticated scarves for an easy stylish look to extend the life of your color! Remember, incorporating hats with simple buns give your hair a much-needed break from the heat.

Quick tip: When product shopping, look for items with Benzophenone-4. It’s a water-soluble ultraviolet light absorber that prevents the sun’s harmful rays from damaging the hair. 

Are you a hat lover? What kind of hats, scarves or turbans do you incorporate into your summer hair regimen?






Hair Question: My Hair Is Low Porosity But Acts Like High Porosity Hair!

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Question: "I did the porosity test on my and my daughter's hair.our hair floated on top.to make sure I did it again on fresh washed hair same thing according to the test we have low po hair.the problem is our hair acts like high porosity hair.it's always dry,it relaxes easy,when we wash it dries very fast.is there any products that will help.I am totally confused now LOL. Thanks for any help you can give"

Advice: I completely understand your frustration and confusion. It seems as though your hair is appearing as Low Porosity hair yet, in fact, it has all the characteristics of High Porosity hair! Huh? Not to worry. There is a possible solution. I would assess your hair based on the actual behaviour of the hair itself. If you're noticing that your hair:

  • Dries very fast
  • Always feels dry
  • Easily processes with chemical treatments
  • Tends to feel rough due to raised cuticles
Chances are....

You have High Porosity hair and I would treat it as such! High porosity hair is usually caused by chemical treatments, heat appliances or weather. There are several products and techniques you can implement that will help your hair retain moisture i.e. use a protein reconstructor/treatment at least once a week to help fill in the cracks along the hair shaft that's causing moisture to escape the strands, use a pH balanced leave-in conditioner (i.e. Aloe Vera Juice mixed with some water and oils), ACV rinses (Apple Cider Vinegar | 1 part ACV 3 parts water) at least once a week to close the cuticles promoting shine and moisture etc. Implementing a few of these techniques will get you well on your way to healthier stronger hair!

Here are a few articles I wrote regarding Hair Porosity:

Hairlicious Inc. |  5 Signs Indicating You Have High Porosity Hair

Hairlicious Inc. |  5 Signs Indicating You Have Low Porosity Hair 

I hope this was beneficial in helping you understand and care for your hair!

Happy Canada Day!

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Wishing all my Canadian Hairlistas
Happy Canada Day!

Enjoy :)


Summer Hair Care: On Combatting Frizzy, Relaxed Hair

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Warmer weather is lovely, but for some it can be a complete hair nightmare! With warm weather comes humidity that causes unwanted fly-aways. Damaged hair cuticles often have a dry, brittle, dull appearance due to its inability to retain moisture, and that ultimately leads to frizz. But, fear not. Here are a few ways I learned to manage my relaxed hair.

Porous Hair 
My hair is very porous (meaning permeable to water) so I had excessive tangles, breakage and poufy hair in the early stages of my hair journey. Using a sulfate-free shampoo and deep conditioning on a weekly basis has really helped to reduce dryness and control the frizz

Avoid The Sun (For Long Periods of Time) 
It's hard, but I don’t expose my hair to the sun for long periods of time during the summer months. Heat tends to dry my hair out so I avoid it as often as possible.

Use Acidic Leave in Conditioners 
Another method I swear by is using an acidic leave-in conditioner to help close the lifted hair cuticles that allow moisture to escape the hair shaft. Products with aloe vera juice, citric acid or lactic acid allow my hair to lay flat, smooth and frizz free.

Use a Cotton Shirt For Drying
I always dry my hair with a cotton t-shirt as opposed to a towel. Rubbing my hair while wet with a towel can rough up the cuticles causing tangles and frizz once my hair dries.




 
(Photo Source)

5 Reason's Why You Should Pick Darker Oils In Your Regimen

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Ever notice how two of the same oils can be in two different shades? 

I always have Extra Virgin Olive Oil in my arsenal; but one day I started using it to seal in my moisture just to switch things up a bit. I couldn't stand it! My hair felt dry, hay-like and crispy. I said "forget this", I'm only going to use this in my deep conditioner. 

My sister then started raving about how she found a new love in Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a sealant. I was quite shocked but when she showed me her EVOO, it was vastly darker than the EVOO I had. I tried her darker Extra Virgin Olive oil, which was more "greenish" in colour, on my hair and I loved it! My hair felt softer and retained moisture much better than the one I was using. 

Ah ha! That's when it dawned on me - again (discovered this Dark Oil Benefit with Grapeseed Oil)! Darker oils tend to be more potent, thicker and overall healthier in nature for your hair. 

Benefits of Darker Coloured Oils:
  • Unrefined/ Not filtered
  • Potent with nutrients
  • Thicker in consistency
  • Tend to be dark green
  • Holds/retains moisture 

Be sure to look out for those darker oils that appear "greenish" in colour (Olive oil, Avocado oil, Grapeseed oil etc.)  Your hair will thank you!

Twist Out On Relaxed Hair

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I decided to do a simple twist-out on dry hair with a few of my favourite products :). I'm quite pleased with the results as it was so spontaneous with little product usage. Below is a description of how I achieved this simple look. 

Step #1:
On dry hair, I moisturized with Scurl No Drip Activator and sealed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I focused on my ends ensuring they were thoroughly moisturized. I then parted my hair in 5 sections (2 at the sides, 3 in the middle like a mohawk). I twisted each section making sure each twist was tight and secure. I grabbed 5 perm rods and rolled them at the ends of my hair for curl definition. I tied my hair with a satin scarf and bonnet and went to bed.

Step #2:
In the morning I removed all the 5 perm rods and proceeded to unravel each twist with a tad-bit of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on my finger tips to prevent frizz. 

Step #3:
I separated each twist for fullness and lightly combed my fingers through my hair to "remove" the parts I made for the 5 sections. I kept my side part and lightly fluffed the hair in front for added volume.

That's it!

Are you a twist-out fan? Which products do you use to achieve your look?


Summer Hair Care: Ways to Protect Your Hair From Salt and Chlorine This Summer

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We all know that chlorine in pools is so harsh it strips the hair of its natural oils and moisture. What's more, according to Hair Foundation, chlorine “causes severe damage to hair keratins. Thus, chlorine in the swimming pool can both lighten and weaken hair.” Relaxed hair is even more susceptible to keratin damage, as the hair fibers have already been chemically altered. Over time this can cause excessive dryness, increased porosity and breakage.

Before you jump in the pool here are a few tips and tricks that I’ve learned to help protect my relaxed hair from unnecessary damage caused by chlorine and saltwater.

Soak Before Jumping In 
I’ve learned that hair is like a sponge; it will only absorb so much. Before I enter the pool, I saturate my relaxed hair with clean water; at this point my hair is less likely to absorb the chlorinated/salt water.

Apply Product Before Entering 
When I apply a thick creamy conditioner before jumping in it helps to block the absorption of chlorine and saltwater into my hair. Pre-conditioning restores moisture into my hair so it doesn’t feel dehydrated. For extra measures, I’ll seal my hair with oil for added protection.

Shampoo Immediately Afterwards
Immediately after existing the pool or beach, I flush my hair with clean water to help remove the chlorine and salt water from my hair. Take your time, the more thorough you are, the better! Once my hair reaches a certain level of softness and manageability, I proceed with a rich deep shampoo and conditioner to nourish my relaxed strands.

Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: Hairlicious Inc. Offers Ways to Protect Your Hair From Salt and Chlorine This Summer

Summer Hair Care: Light Oils Are Best For Relaxed Hair

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Summertime is the best time to go light not only for your clothing, but also your hair. Who wants weighed down, stiff hair? Not me! Go light and never look back.

Don’t Get Weighed Down 
In the summer, I notice that my relaxed hair responds well to oil mixtures that contain lighter oils like coconut oil, grapeseed oil or sweet almond oils. These oils are lighter in consistency preventing the hair from being weighed down and feeling sticky. Not only do lighter oils promote shine and seal in moisture, but it also helps to give your strands a break to breathe. Using heavy oils such as castor oil or shea oil may suffocate the strands making the hair clump together, feel greasy and weighed down in the heat.


Try Avocado Oils 
I like to use light oils such as avocado oil, olive oil and coconut oil as part of my hair treatments in the summer. Avocado oil acts as a natural SPF for the hair and olive oil is a natural conditioner that adds elasticity.

Add Oils to Conditioners 
Before I wear summer braid-outs, I always use conditioner to wash my hair for extra hydration. While my hair is damp, I spray my leave-ins and then I seal my ends with a light oil mixture. This concoction ensures my braid-outs come out super fluffy, soft and defined.

Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: Hairlicious Inc. Says Light Oils Are Best For Relaxed Hair


Summer Hair Care: Glycerin Based Products Are The Best!

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The main secret that helps my hair retain moisture during the summer months is the usage of glycerin-based products! I know some may hate it and some love it, but for me, it is the best moisture-enhancing product for my relaxed strands.

The Benefits
Glycerin is a clear, odorless liquid that is hygroscopic and a humectant in nature, meaning when used on the hair, it attracts moisture from the air into the hair. I remember the beginning of my hair journey when my sister first introduced me to glycerin. She stressed how much better her relaxed hair felt after using it, but I was always skeptical because I thought it was for texturized or curly perms. I remember days when my hair was so dry and thirsty it broke off in clumps on a regular basis. I tried everything from water-based moisturizers, butters, to oil based moisturizers. Nothing cured my excessive breakage. I never thought relaxed hair could benefit from glycerin and boy was I wrong!

Hydrated Strands
Once I was introduced to glycerin-based products i.e. moisturizers, leave-ins etc., my hair made a 360 degree change. My breakage minimized substantially, my hair felt moist for once and my hair looked and felt hydrated from the inside out. My hair was happy and so was I! Finally I found a product that worked for my thirsty relaxed strands. I’ll moisturize my hair in the morning, with my glycerin-based moisturizer, and throughout the day, my hair retains moisture easily.

Softer Hair 
My hair feels soft and hydrated with each use. Glycerin helps to draw moisture from the hot humid air right into my strands…all day long. Not to mention, it’s exceptional for my new growth, while stretching my relaxers, as it literally melts my growth making it manageable.


Steaming My Hair With Coconut Oil!

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The Coconut Oil Challenge is still live on Hairlista.com. The challenge will end in less than one month (August 24th). Although, it's been quite difficult keeping up with the challenge, my hair has benefitted greatly from weekly use of Coconut oil. My hair feels stronger, softer and smoother with every use. The moist air from the steamer along with the Coconut oil are a great combo! 

My favourite way of incorporating Coconut Oil into my hair regimen is by going under the steamer with it for 30 minutes. I apply the oil to dry unwashed hair. I slather it on from root to tip and then clip the ends up. No plastic cap! The steam allows my cuticles to open up and absorb the oil and all it's nutrients.  Once 30 minutes is up, I proceed to co-wash my hair with a creamy instant conditioner (lately I've been using Aussie Moist Conditioner). My hair is then full of slip making it extremely easy to detangle. Overall, I love this oil! Coconut oil really helps to add fullness and strength to my hair which comes in handy since I'm almost 8 weeks post relaxer!

What your favourite way of using Coconut oil in your regimen? What have you noticed since you've incorporated it into your hair routine?


Hair Comparison: APL to BSL in 9 months!

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I've been on my hair journey for several years now and I still love going through my old photos of my hair just to visually see how my hair has transformed. I've always used it as motivation to meet my next goal. Nothing speaks louder than a photo! Sometimes we feel as though our hair isn't making any progress, but until we look at an old photo, that is when we really notice a difference :)

The photo on the left (APL - Arm Pit Length) was back in November 2008 when I went to a salon for a relaxer. They hacked off at least 4-6 inches of my thin ends when all I wanted was a trim. It was actually a blessing in disguise. From this beautiful disaster, I was able to really understand the needs, likes, dislikes etc. of my hair that I never understood before. The photo on the right (BSL - Bra Strap Length) was taken in October 2009. So technically speaking, I made BSL in 9 months (August 2009) but this photo was taken in October.

What I changed in my regimen to get to BSL?:

1. I consistently started using S-curl No Drip Activator daily. My ends were craving the extra moisture.
2. Increased my protein treatments to once a week (followed by a moisture deep condition) to ensure my hair remained moisturized yet strong & fortified at the same time. 
3. Applied Jamaican Black Castor Oil to my scalp 2-3x/week. This helped to promote growth and thickness in my hair. 
4. Protected my ends in wigs and buns 90% of the time. I left my hair alone!
5. Moisturized and sealed in sections (5-6) ensuring all of my ends were covered in my moisturizer preventing dryness!

That's it! All you need is consistency & patience :)

Coconut Oil Challenge - 1 Day Left!

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  1. The Coconut Oil Challenge is coming to an end tomorrow August 24th. This challenge has been a challenging one, but with great results!! I love how strong my hair has been feeling lately. I encourage all who participated in the challenge to share their "before and after" pictures or even a testimony on how your hair has improved over the past few months. 

    See you on Hairlista.com!

Mohawk On My Relaxed Air Dried Hair

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This is, by far, one of my favourite up-do hairstyles! 

I discovered it about a year ago and I just love the simplicity of this style. Originally, I saw this style on many natural haired ladies.  I decided to give it a "go" on my air dried relaxed hair since it's much fuller and textured in this state. Relaxed hair is versatile too :) 

All I do is section off my hair in 3 (vertically), put ponytail hair ties around each section, fluff & lightly twist the hair from each section, pin it and go! I find that it's an elegant hair style for any occasion - most importantly it's heat free and a protective style for my ends! Can't beat that :)

Tip: An old braid-out is perfect for this style. The added texture really adds more appeal & character to the overall style!

ESSENCE.com Straight Talk: Why I Don't Frequent Salons

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Years ago, I would find myself at the salon every other Saturday morning getting a wash and set or every 8 weeks getting a fresh relaxer. Back then; the salon was my refuge. My stylist was my hair doctor and I gave her full control.

Once I became more knowledgeable about relaxed hair and how to properly care for it, I started to care for my hair in the convenience of my own home. First, I had to reprogram my thinking and understand that it’s okay to wash and deep condition my hair at home. For years, I left my hair in the hands of someone else because, in my mind, it was a taboo to wash my own hair. It was so foreign to me when my friends told me that they washed and conditioned their hair at home, I looked at them like they had 5 heads! Sad to say, prior to my hair journey, my mind was filled with the typical hair care myths regarding black hair.

In hindsight, I had no knowledge or control over my hair. I never took the time to understand my hair’s needs and wants, I never knew I could wash it and condition it at home. But once I took matters into my own hands I was able to grow healthy hair. In fact, it’s quite liberating! Now that I have a greater understanding of my hair, I perform 90% of all my hair care needs right in the comfort of my home i.e. wash, deep condition, relaxer, etc. Not only have I saved a lot of money going this route, I now have a certain level of confidence when handling my hair because of the hair care knowledge I’ve gained throughout the years. I actually find it harder and harder to find stylists that understand and encourage my healthy hair care practices. I’ve learned to carefully detangle my hair from the ends up, use wide tooth-combs at all times, relax only the new growth, pass the flat iron through my hair once, instead of 4-5 times to get it straight.

Don’t get me wrong; salons will forever have my support. Sometimes it’s fun to pamper yourself and have someone else do your hair. However, implementing these simple yet crucial practices have helped to improve the health of my hair dramatically.

How often do you visit the salon? Has your salon attendance decreased since you’ve been on your hair journey?



 

ESSENCE.com Straight Talk: On The Art of Hair Misting

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Have you ever experienced dehydrated, brittle hair from the hot sun? I’ve had my share of bad summer hair days. But over the years, I’ve developed a simple solution that has helped to bring my hair back to life. It’s simple: I mist my hair throughout the day for a boost in hydration. Not only does this trick help in re-moisturizing my hair, it also helps to re-fresh my style so that it remains vibrant throughout the day, and it also provides shine.

Grab a Spray Bottle

I use a couple simple liquid solutions to combat dryness in the summer months. First, I make sure I have my trusty spray bottle, preferably in a travel size so that it’s portable in my handbag wherever I go. My go-to mixture is 20-25% Glycerin with 3-4 parts distilled water to dilute it. Distilled water is the best for healthier hair, as there are no chlorine or calcium/mineral deposits in it as opposed to hard water.

Add Aloe Vera Juice 

Sometimes I’ll add a little bit of 100% aloe vera juice for a little kick in hydration. I usually add approximately ¼ cup of aloe vera juice to my glycerin and distilled water mixture. The mixture has superb moisturizing properties jam-packed with nutrients to promote healthier hair and scalp. I preserve my mixtures by storing them in my fridge. The added bonus is that the cool temp helps to close my cuticles too. For dry summer months, misting is the way to go!

Add Glycerin 

Glycerin is a potent humectant that draws moisture from the air into the hair. It’s amazing at softening and hydrating my dry thirsty hair that has been scorched from the sun. I spray this combination in my roots, my ends and all throughout my hair. But, I don’t saturate my hair with it; I just spray enough to lightly moisten it so that my hair is slightly damp. I’ll mist my hair while it’s loose hanging down, or while it’s in a style. I mist as often as once or twice daily, depending on how dry and hot the weather has been. Always listen to your hair.


Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: Hairlicious Inc. On The Art of Hair Misting

 

Have Your Say: Light vs. Heavy Sealants

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Are you a fan of light or heavy sealants for your hair?

Everyone's hair is different and reacts differently to certain oils. Some have fine hair; therefore, light oils such as Coconut oil, Grapeseed oil etc. are perfect for sealing the ends without weighing the hair down.

On the other hand, there are thicker hair textures that require something a little heavier, than the light oils, to lock moisture into their strands. I have dense, wiry, coarse strands. My hair craves a lot of moisture and heavier oils to prevent moisture from escaping my strands. Heavier moisturizing products have helped to minimize split ends. Heavy oils consist of Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil etc. Recently, I've fallen in love with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (dark green)  as a sealant. It's very rich and slightly thick/heavy in consistency. It provides perfect coverage and intense shine.  It's ability to lock in moisture is great and my hair remains moist and smooth. My ends love IT!!!

My question to you is, does your hair prefer Light or Heavy sealants? If so, what do you think is the reason? What oils are you currently using? Which consistency (light or heavy) allows you to retain the most moisture?


Coconut Oil Challenge Pt. 1 Winners!

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Challenge Started: Saturday May 24th, 2014 
Challenge Ended: Saturday August 23rd, 2014

Winner #1


Mrs. Labady participated in the Coconut Oil Challenge at the Intermediate Level, which involved applying Coconut oil to her hair and scalp, prior to washing, for 20mins – 1 hour or overnight twice per week. This level also involved applying 1-2 tsp of Coconut Oil to her weekly deep conditioner, while using heat. Awesome growth & thickness hun!

Winner #2


Tisha participated in Coconut Oil Challenge at the Basic Level, which involved applying Coconut oil to her hair and scalp, prior to washing, for 20mins – 1 hour or overnight, massaging it in while focusing on damaged areas once a week. Congrats on your fabulous growth!

Prizes

Two(2) Amazon.com gift cards valued at $75.00 each. Congratulations ladies on your longer, thicker, healthier hair. Enjoy your prizes!


Please email us (in the next 24-48 hours) at: progress@hairlista.com to claim your prize :)


ESSENCE.com Straight Talk: On The Art of Damp Bunning

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Damp bunning is my favorite go-to style during the summer. I’ve worn buns since the beginning of my hair journey in 2008, and it’s a staple of mine. It’s a low-manipulation style that allows you to lock in moisture for a long period of time.

The Purpose
The purpose of bunning while your hair is slightly damp is to help lock moisture into the hair for a prolonged period of time. When I damp bun my hair, my ends are tucked away preventing moisture from easily escaping. My relaxed hair remains protected and moist throughout the entire day with this low manipulative style

Damp Bun on Wash Days
I bun my slightly damp hair on wash-days (after a deep condition or co-wash) or right after I moisturize and seal. Prior to bunning my hair, I focus on applying moisturizer down the length of my hair, and then I seal with a mixture containing olive oil, coconut oil and jojoba oil for softness. The trick is to put your hair into a bun immediately while your hair is still damp.

It Makes a Difference
Damp bunning has really made a difference in my hair’s ability to retain length during the summer months. The summer heat has a way of drying out my relaxed hair; however, damp bunning has been able to counteract those effects. My ends are protected, moist and happy which means less trimming! Bunning my hair while damp has helped me to maintain high moisture levels despite the hot summer sun. It’s quick and easy while on the go!

Switch It Up
I like to change up my buns too. I either opt for a damp sleek top-knot or a sophisticated low damp bun for the day! I gently brush my edges back with a soft boar bristle brush and go! Are you a damp bun lover? If so, what do you love most about it?

Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: Hairlicious Inc. On The Art of Damp Bunning

Fall Is Officially Here! - What Is Your Fall Regimen?

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As the season changes, so does our hair regimen and products! Some tend to co-wash less, protective style more, and thicker oils & butters become the norm as the colder weather approaches. Some don't change a thing :)

How does your hair behave in during the Fall season? 

What tools, products and/or methods are you set on incorporating into your regimen this Fall?  

Protective Style: Twisted Bun and Gold Hair Chain Accessory

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Sometimes a protective style needs some spicing up! I was heading out to a party and I thought, what is the quickest hair style I can do, considering wash day is tomorrow and I don't want to put heat in my hair as yet? So, I  moisturized and sealed my hair, parted my hair straight down the middle, used a little bit of Aloe Vera Gel on my edges, then I put my hair in an Ouchless ponytail holder. I parted my ponytail in two (2), did a two-strand twist, wrapped it around to form a bun, then pinned it! Done.

A while back, I bought this gorgeous gold hair chain from Claire's ($10) and I always envisioned wearing it with my hair down - freshly flat ironed! Well, I figured it should still look chić if I wear it with a bun, no?  Well, here are the results. There's a stretchy band at the back to form/adjust to any head size. I have a fairly large head (plus new growth) so it was accommodating and comfortable :) 

It's a quick protective/low manipulation style that anyone can do! The gold hair chain is definitely a must-have in your hair accessory arsenal!

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