If you have long hair and have chosen to keep it this summer, you’ve probably already assumed your fate. Under most circumstances I would agree with all the images developing in your head as you read this, like hair sticking to the back of your neck on a warm 85 degree day—eeeh. BUT what if I told you that following one of the oldest tricks in the book will make you reconsider chopping your locks every year just to beat the heat? (Unless you’re like me and adore your pixie cut but still get an itch to have long hair every now and then, well, then you should already know where I’m going with this…I’ll wait).
Maybe you need me to clarify what I’m trying to say exactly: “treat yo’self and buy yo’self a weave and braid it out to thus free yo’self,” (inserts overly confident and smirking emoji). I’m focusing on two words for both parties, braids and weaves, yes, I’m talking about the Zoe Kravitz in Dope kind of braids and weaves. Box braids or Senegalese twists (when they start as braids and end as twists) are individual plaits that are divided into squares or plaits across the scalp, separating your hair with each braid and allowing the scalp to breathe. If you’re still having trouble picturing this, just look at my lovely Fashionista above who is wearing her twists in a traditional up-do bun. While dressed in dark colored outfit, starting with a low crewneck T-shirt that is knotted to the side, sitting above a pair of black leggings fitted below the kneecap, she chooses a pair of black and white Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers to make her way out and about. She also adds two pieces of silver jewelry to redirect the main attention back up to her ‘do. One of the great things about this style is that lets you manipulate it into so many other styles because the braids are not laid down against the scalp like cornrows, it’s all around versatile style.
What’s on the BEAUTY BAR? To get this beautiful ‘do, start by making your way to your nearest beauty supply store. Depending on how thick your own hair is and how thick you would like the braids to be, you’ll buy several packs of kanekalon braiding hair. From here, go to a professional hair braider who is fluent in crossing natural hair with add-ins and just ask for the long Senegalese twists style!
