6 min read

Braids, by Kelsey and Kendra Murrel

Dying of hair boredom . . . can’t put down the hot tools . . . or are you simply one of those people who likes to try new things with your hair? If you answered, “yes,” to any of these questions, then this is the chapter for you. Of course, we do NOT want to sound like one of those hour-long infomercials filled with empty promises in exchange for your hard-earned dollar, but it’s true . . . protective styles are the perfect alternative to heat styling. No gimmicks! Protective styles provide exactly what they promise—a style that acts as a defense for your hair.

Think About It

Let’s say you’re a hair-down-kind-of-girl. Whether it’s curly or straight, you always wear your hair down. In fact, it’s highly likely that your friends don’t remember the last time they saw your hair in a ponytail, bun, or braid. On a typical day, the alarm buzzes at 6 a.m. You yawn, roll over, and silence the alarm. In the bathroom, if your hair is curly, you moisten, moisturize, and finger comb; and if your hair is straight, you brush, part, curl, or straighten. You check your perfectly flowing hair in the mirror and think, “Yeah, you look good girl!” You leave the bathroom, and dress yourself, pulling your favorite shirt over your head. The cotton fibers strip a bit of moisture from your hair, and a few strands get caught in the stylish buttons that trim the shoulder of the shirt. While you step into your pants, lace your shoes, and scarf down your breakfast, you run your fingers through your hair six, maybe seven times (hey, we know . . . it’s a habit that’s hard to break).

Before you leave you throw your jacket over your head, around the top half of your body. Unfortunately, before the jacket properly rests on your shoulders a couple of strands get caught in the zipper. Afterward you grab a scarf and throw it around your neck and the section of your hair that covers your neck is now engulfed beneath the scarf and out the door you go.

When you open the front door, a gust of wind blows your way. It’s cold! Instinctively, you run your hands through your hair to secure your perfected style. While in transit, you rest your head on the seat of the train or Uber. When you arrive at your destination, a girlfriend compliments your hair, running her fingers through your strands. While you’re grateful for the compliment, she just repositioned your style, so you run your fingers through the hair again to reinforce its position.

While working, you twist the ends of your hair repetitively (yeah, another bad habit). After lunch, you visit the ladies room and finger comb/brush your hair. Then, when you leave work, it begins raining . . . We could literally go on, and on, and on. By the day’s end, your hair has been brushed, combed, curled, straightened, pulled, buttoned, zipped, covered, blown, scrubbed, rubbed, curled, twirled, and rained on. Need we say more? Loose hair demands constant manipulation. It’s no wonder you have a hard time maintaining those ends. They aren’t just frizzy, they are trying to run away for dear life!

I accidentally discovered the benefits of protective styling. I was in high school. I was trying to transition my hair, and my mom was trying to teach us responsibility. So, she politely suggested (like over and over again) that we get a job, start saving, and contribute to our monthly car insurance premium, increasing fuel expenses and constant weekend outings. Of course, Kendra and I were in school and our schedules were exhausting.

We were up early to prep for school, endured a long school day, completed evening work hours, and fulfilled our homework obligations. I loved my newly-forming curly hair, but I had very little time to maintain it. While Kendra would spend additional time maintaining her hair, I spent that extra time tucked comfortably under my sheets. As a result of my unfamiliar, tiresome schedule, I would wear the same bun for a week or more. Buns were so easy. Simply put, they were a big time saver. I would wash, condition, and bun my hair on Sunday. Then, Monday through Saturday, I would wrap a silk scarf around it at night and unwrap it in the morning.

Once, when I was extra tired, I actually wore the same bun for two whole weeks! Initially I thought I’d regret my lack of hair maintenance. Nonetheless, the day I took my hair down, the texture was wonderfully different and I noticed it had maintained a lot of moisture. When I let my hair fall, I immediately noticed it looked longer, shinier, and healthier. More surprisingly, after washing and measuring my strands, I discovered my hair had grown TWO INCHES in just two short weeks! Two inches in two weeks? I was on to something!

For the remainder of the year, I decided to continue this routine for two weeks out of every month— and it paid off. I always saw the most hair growth when I was bunning. Needless to say, buns became a big contribution to my hair growing process. I was giving my hair a break for weeks at a time. Ultimately, my strands thanked me for the hiatus. If you’ve ever been to our YouTube channel, you know I enthusiastically endorse protective styles and the benefits they provide.

It is surprising to know how many of our subscribers think that the best way to achieve the prettiest, presentable and most stylish looks require heat or loose hair. The notion is another widely received fallacy in the world of hair. If you sincerely believe that your beauty is enhanced solely through heat based styling, big curls, or loose strands, you clearly haven’t discovered the world of protective styles. Creative protective styles are classy, versatile, fun, and sexy! The possibilities are endless.

When it comes to protective styles, here are three basic styles:

Buns

As Kelsey’s confession reveals, buns are a girl’s best friend. Once you learn to perfect your favorite bun, you diversify it by making it high, low, or lopped. You can also manipulate buns by making them messy and fun or tidy and chic. You can also try top knots, which are a show stopper. No matter which combination of technique you use, buns are simple, they save time, (and most importantly) they provide protection.

Twist Outs & Braid Outs

Next, twist outs and braid outs are another awesome way to protect the hair from heat, weather and manipulation. Additionally, if you just can’t resist wearing your hair down, it’s a good way to wear your hair down without applying heat. Twist and braids create relaxed patterns in the hair, locking in moisture and improving health. Even better, with twist outs and braid outs, you can look hot while reducing heat. Plus, they are the perfect way to help train, form, or change your natural curl pattern. So, if you happen to not have naturally textured hair or curly hair, these styles provide great alternatives for you to mix-it-up!

Braids

Lastly, the braid. Braids have been around since forever. We’ll bet your great granny used them and her great, great grandma before that. That’s because, when done properly, braids can be an incredible benefit to your hair. They imbed applied moisture, create wonderful textured patterns, protect the length of the hair, and secure the ends of the hair. Also, there are so many variations of braids to try.

Rope braids, dual textured braids, halo braids, waterfall braids, spiral braids, and chain link braids are among the many braids to try. The notorious French braid is classic and simple, and if you’re feeling ambitious or creative go for a fishtail braid. Before bedtime, the traditional pigtail braids can 34 be used to achieve those sexy beach tail waves the following day. These are small tips that can increase the benefits of braids. For instance, prior to doing your bedtime braids, you should apply leave-in conditioner spray if necessary to reactivate the hair shaft in order to achieve those desired waves.

CAUTION: Although braids are entrenched with benefits, improper installation can create detriments. Braids must be done properly. When hair is braided too tightly, it can cause thinning, alopecia, and receding hairlines. Kelsey and Kendra Murrel, The GlamTwinz Guide

Healthy hair tips from the GlamTwinz. Get the long, healthy hair you’ve always wanted. YouTube superstars Kelsey and Kendra Murrell – The GlamTwinz – share their secrets to growing long, healthy and natural hair, without having to rely on chemical relaxers.

How to have healthy hair. Textured hair requires special care and The GlamTwinz have been delivering their best since their viral video: “Top 10 Tips to Grow out Long HEALTHY Hair” hit YouTube. Now, The GlamTwinz build on that to reveal even more secrets and answers to fans’ questions, while revealing their own personal hair struggles and triumphs.

In The GlamTwinz Guide To Longer, Healthier Hair, you’ll learn secrets to: