Fashion Bomb reader Rae is going to Miami for Spring Break and wrote in asking for tips on how to maintain her relaxed hair.
Since Miami is super hot and humid (or at least it was when I went there–The Weather Channel says average temps in April are around 84 degrees), you’ll want to jump into a pool any chance you get. When you’re not swimming you’re too hot to want to have to do too much to your hair (the humidity will get it anyway). Plus all that chlorine (or salt water if you go to the beach) needs to be washed out of the hair as soon as possible to avoid drying the hair out or ruining any hair color. If you go swimming often, you’ll need frequent cleansing.
One easy way to deal with this is to get wet and wavy hair extensions aka “vacation weave”. The maintenance is surprisingly low because after you cleanse the hair, you can towel dry and wear the hair wavy. If you want something sleek, after the hair dries you can make it straight with a flat iron. You’ll be able to go from pool to the club without a whole lot of time spent on doing your hair.
If you want to work with your own hair (whether you relax or you’re natural), it’s best to get the hair saturated with water and add a little conditioner to it before hitting the water. The hair can only absorb but so much water so it’s best it not be chlorine nor salt water. You’ll want to skip shampoo and do mostly co-washes (cleansing the hair with conditioner) to prevent drying the hair out further. I also recommend air drying the hair as frequent blow drying can be too harsh. Cleansing the hair before going to bed and wrapping it with a silk or satin scarf works because your hair can dry while you sleep. Putting some Moroccanoil Treatment in the hair helps to speed up drying.
Styles like messy ponytails, buns, chignons, and braid outs (braiding the hair for a few hours and then taking the braids out for a wavy look) are ideal hairstyles that don’t require much maintenance. You can also play around with accessories like head scarves, straw hats, and headbands.
Some hat and hair scarf ideas:
March 22, 2011 10:13 am
This post came just in time. I am heading down to MIA next month and need to know what to do with my hair. I went last year for Memorial weekend (never again) and my hair was a complete mess, thank god for messy buns. I totally agree with the weave though, I am going back to MIA to October and will be doing a nice weave for low maintenance. Great Post!
March 22, 2011 1:05 pm
Thank you so much for the reply post !
March 22, 2011 2:42 pm
I like this post! I am always looking for way to protect my hair. I have also started doing the Pocahontas twist on each side of my head which helps to protect my hair. It restricts me from putting so much heat on my hair.
March 22, 2011 4:37 pm
Great post!!
March 22, 2011 7:05 pm
Nice post. Must say tho that if you are gonna go the weave look use a high quality wet and wavy weave. The tangled mess that cheaper brands become when wet is a no no. Plus it may not be the sexiest thing but before getting into the water throw in some conditioner and braid it up so that it wont tangle as much. If not detangle as soon as you get out with a lot of conditioner. Then afterwards you can throw on a cute head band or make a nice chic effortless (looking) top knot.I live in The Bahamas and go to the beach every other week or so and can really vouch that this works :)
March 22, 2011 8:50 pm
Oh my goodness ladies and gent (lol) if there are any! I am so glad you posted a discussion on this topic because vacation hair for African American women, or women with more texture to their hair at time can have difficulty in maintaining our hair.
Anyhow to add to it, the best thing for vacation hair is wearing quality hair, from real cuticles like ONYC hair. They even provide real life looking closures its mind boggling. ive started buying their mongolian and indian hair and after every wash the hair gets better! heres my secret ladies http://www.onychair.com. the lady who owns the company is nigerian born and raised and she is doing an awesome job with helping young women find vacation quality hair
March 22, 2011 10:44 pm
Lol! I’m going to Miami in a month for break. I’m carrying a vegetable glycerin/aloe leave-in spritz with either an avocado oil or shealoe chaser for pre and post beach hair. I’ll likely do Pocahantas braids or a french roll. I’m seriously considering henna but am now nervous about turning it pink with seawater : /
March 22, 2011 10:46 pm
BTW I have natural hair. It’s nice to read people sharing different strategies for natural, extension, dyed and permed hair for Black women.
March 23, 2012 7:39 am
Hi,
I believe good hair is hair that can be style in any way, shape, or form. It doesn’t need a curling iron, flat iron,or a perm (of any kind). Let me put it to you this way, He’s looking for a bald woman. After all, bald is so quite.