This post is long. If you have 4c hair with low porosity and normal or high density this is perfect for you.

The first images is a parting system for the type of braid you want, I will be using the medium one. The braid styles I’m using now. A TikTok influencer that do the mini braids challenge. Products and more for the hair. And some low maintenance pretty hairstyles if you are lazy.

After 4 years of being natural,some trauma in my scalp that are healing. I’m pleased to inform I have reached the comfortable hair length. It should be more, but I wasted the first 2 years really bad…(won’t get into details💀)

Finally lately Ive been prioritizing 2 things, the health of my scalp and the health of my ends 

How long your hair grow each month? I suspect mine is the typical average of half an inch. However I increase it when I massage every night and take my vitamins, even my nails are flourishing. (I only know my hair rate is increasing when I go back to scalp massage and vitamins bc my nails grow Longgg)

Figure out your hair porosity (mine is low) and the average grow rate of your hair 

Measure your hair. Both now and when you finish the braids, use a T-shirt etc. You have to measure it at the end of month or after 4 weeks to see how much it grew. It have to be half an inch or an inch, if it less idk ma boy.

I’m doing a 1 month/4 week protective style challenge. In which I let the braids, cornrows or twist for 4 weeks. I tried multiple times and now I know what to fix.

I choose normal sized braids for my challenge, because when is too small it get matter faster and take longer take down
 
Scalp:

I will be moisturizing my scalp (ONLY) the first 2 weeks with Dove Scalp Serum. Last 2 with either tea rinse in spray bottles, or aloe Vera juice, then seal with rosemary oil or Peppermint oil. (Making sure to not rube in, simply apply,massage for like two minutes and cover with satin scarf and bonnet then massage with scalp
Massager. It don’t mess my hair when I do this so it don’t get matted.)

I scalp massage every night with bonnet on and scalp massager. And idk if I’m crazy but I swear it works. 

In week 4, I will take down the braid body and let the start of it so I don’t lose the parting. Section in 8, then wash my scalp with a clarifying shampoo then moisturize. Deep condition etc. I said this here already I seal with silicon products after I moisturize. I use an oil with silicon or cream at the ends. It works wonders for my 4c hair man is insane the change. If I’m having problem detangling of course afro Prepoo or flaxseed gel, but if I’m lazy a conditioner with Silicone. Pantene work the best for me, I get the job done in minutes!

Then I let all the care/leave in sit for 1 or 2 day (in chunky twist) Then I blow dry WITH HEAT PROTECTANT 💀 With silicones. Yes. Chi Silk Infusion is my go to. and braid again (the parts I kept in (that I didn’t unbread) one by one.

If you prefer do twist, I did is cute, matted is minimum last month bc I blow Dried, it was pretty, a good length so I went out with it! But even the prior month to this I had very shrunken twist bc I put water everyday and I still end out with it! Cute ponytails with some extra down. Was fine But nah, I get bored with twist fast. So cornrows in the front and braids in the back, is so prettyyy! But next time I’ll braid the front too, I still look pretty either ways honestly. 🙂‍↕️ Go out with your natural hair in your protective style, TRUST! The shine and confidence is unmatched. Don’t lay no edges too, just add some golden hair accessories or silver and rock it. DO IT👹
( i will put myself in the comments so you can see, but will delete it after some hours. )

Ends:
Cut the ends till is clean. With a SHEAR scissor 💀💀💀
Don’t leave it because is ugly,useless and not even hair anymore. I call it grass cutting lmao.

While doing the braids I put each flaxseed gel on the cut clean ends, and after the section is finished, the ends are hard and protected

Then  I go with a clean bead or fold (the golden decorative ones are easier just curve and wrap) I prefer beads. I don’t curve my ends, but I make sure a long part of my ends is up and curve where my hair is already thick then I go with a rubber band and tie it,then cover my end (a little more always should be left) and cover with other more beads, like 3 or 4 or a very long one!
(In summer I will use shells though. So pretty!)

This keeps my hair straightened and elongated, it even prevents it from rubbing each other which keeps it  all neat and clean. 

It keeps my ends extremely protected and safe both from the beads and from rubbing each other.  After 4/6 weeks, when taking down simply take the loose part of the rubber band, with the small shear scissor cut it. Then take it out. Be of course extremely careful lmao, which is why I leave a loose part, I put my ends very up to not even touched it while managing the braid too.  idk how to explain this sorry. Will show when I’m taking down.

If you want other options:
- Easy Beads. Is like a clip in beads, but I don’t like that is 3 in one. I plan to create my own perfected easy beads, safe length for my taste.
I’m working on creating my own brand with the exact fabric,color and needs I have, will put in my google document Once finished. 

- Silicone Beads. Look the same, don’t make any noise, pretty and simple. You can cut the bead directly too, more safe.

-Just the Flaxseed keep it moisturized and hard for the weeks, put in a high LOOSE ponytail with a SATIN tie. The safe beads or folds is just for my anxiety little self that NEED to keep my ends out of touch🥹I used to break it by myself…is like eating nails for me. So I put myself on time out by locking it away with beads/folds etc.

Okay so scalp is cleaned after 4 week, hair is conditioned too. Ends are moisturized, hardened and kept away for 4 weeks too.

Then after this we repeat.

I wish I could go 2 months, but my hair can’t. And that’s okay! But if you can do 2 months,even better. Don’t put water in your 4c braids during the 4 weeks, remember all the sprays are for your SCALP only 💀 If you don’t want to end up with a matting world like me before lmao. If you want to add something in your braids, just oil the body of the braid. But then again, don’t put nothing. 

This challenge is for 6 months before I take all down and wash then do cute hairstyles to enjoy my length 🤭

Also, I will be recording myself in the 4 weeks to hold myself accountable. 

Anyways there’s so much more. But I’m doing a big document for every 4c hair person level of availability. If you are a lazy natural with medium length and low porosity who wants a simply routine I have the perfect routine for that. Or this type of extended stuff that I enjoy a lot, I fuck with my hair hard, love it a lot. But when I was going to college everyday I had an extremely simple routine to be cute, functional and keep my hair healthy and protected while it grew.

So I know most people prefer to keep 4c hair in a simply routine. My goal is for people with 4c hair that want to take care of it, but don’t have time can have access to how their hair works, what can protect their fragile ends, what hairstyles and routines are quick, beautiful and protecting. With low Price products, (silicon products that protect your ends are like 20 dollars and less in dollar stores like Pantene. Aloe Vera juice is affordable,rinse tea the same! )

Or some hair obsessed like me to have access to longer regimens. And track our growth!

So ima keep trying new routines and regimens to perfect my google document, simply and short routine to grow, how to detangle in less than 30/20 minutes ( I mastered detangling!! Afro Prepoo, flaxseed gel, WARM water and 8 sections. Unbrush brush, or Tangle Teezer,your hand or wide tooth comb) how to moisturize depending on their 4c porosity, mine is low! 

And most importantly to love,enjoy it and go out with your hair without edges or added hair. Anyways goodbye.🌨️

Beads at the end of your braids, in your Mini Braid Challenge are KEY!