There are few things more painful than committing an entire Saturday or Sunday to sitting in a chair and getting your hair braided. Not only are you losing half of your precious weekend, you’re voluntarily choosing to be shifted around like a rag doll while your hair is parted and pulled on by someone who would rather be doing anything else and isn't afraid to show it. Here are some thoughts we’ve all had while spending our eight-hour sentence in the braiding salon chair.

1. It’s a Shame I Had to Bring My Own Shampoo!

Like basic doobie shops and blow-out bars, most braiding salons are known for one thing and extensive hair care isn’t it. You’re not alone if you’ve felt like you needed to bring your own supplies to make sure your hair was properly prepped for protective styling.

2. What The Heck Is This Movie?

Haven’t we all wanted to ask why Beyonce’ vs. Rihanna part seventeen doesn’t feature either Beyonce OR Rihanna and where exactly Rihanna got that blinged out machete?

3. How Do They Not Take Cards?

People who have never ran to the ATM with their hair in a bonnet will never understand this struggle.

4. Whose Kids Are These?

You showed up at 7am to avoid it but somehow you’re still surrounded by sticky fingers and loud screams. At some point we’ve all just had to accept that no matter what there will be multiple minors running around with reckless abandon. Just make sure not to say yes when they ask if there’s games on your iPhone 7- it’s a setup.

5. Ow! That Was My Neck!

Sit still or suffer the consequences.

6. I Wish I Brought My Headphones!

The rowdy children and searing neck pain wouldn’t be so bad if you had thought to stash some earbuds in your clutch but now you’re stuck listening to faux Rihanna strangle phony Queen Bey as somebody’s baby cries in the corner. You knew better but we’ve all been there.

7. Do I Smell Chicken?

 There is nothing more gross than the smell of Crisco coated fingers sliding through your hair. Did this lady fry chicken before doing my hair? Bringing your lunch from home is cool, but sis so are wet wipes. 

8. You On The Phone Again 

 Ugh! If you pick up that phone or text one more time---I'm out. Not really, but girl.

9. How Is She Not Done Yet?

Somehow that last patch of hair in the front of your head always seems to last way longer than the twenty minutes you told your best friend you were going to be. Good thing you didn’t confirm your uber because you’re clearly not going anywhere anytime soon.

10. I Can’t Feel My Brain

The second you’re done you realize you no longer seem to have a scalp. Bright side? You probably won’t need to re-up on edge control.

If you can relate to these moments and would like to avoid reliving them consider installing some of our Zoë twists or slipping on one of our crown wigs! It’s the same style without the same struggle.

Photo Credits: Essence, Giphy

Fourth of July weekend is coming and that means you'll (probably) be on a family vacation, chilling at a cookout, turning up on a girl’s trip at ESSENCE Festival or chilling poolside. If it's the latter, you’re going to want to keep your curls safe from chlorine--cause let's face it, you don’t want to be the girl sitting pretty poolside while everyone else is splashing around? Check out these tips for protecting your hair from harsh pool chemicals this summer.

1. Soak It  

Water is a natural girl’s best friend. No matter what your curl pattern or your hair's health status-- water is not the enemy. Chlorine however, has no interest in being your bestie. Want to block nasty chemicals from wrecking the seasonal highlights you saved up for? Preemptively wet your hair. If your hair is already wet it will be unable to absorb additional water meaning it’s more likely to be able to withstand pool chemicals.  

2. Choose a Swim cap

Okay, okay I totally know what you’re thinking. But before you tell me “girl that’s not gonna’ fit over my hair” let me make my case. Swim caps have come quite a long way from the standard Speedo options you remember from your community pool days. In fact several small business owners on Etsy and other digital marketplaces are serving up options that can fit over locks, box braids, and afros alike. We found these Swimma Caps to be just the fix for our big hair! Want to be on the safe side? Choose one that’s slightly larger & slip a thin elastic headband over the edges to hold it in place. 

3. Coat With Conditioner

This is by far the best option to prevent new chlorine-filled water from being absorbed into your strands and will keep your hair from shrinking and clotting so you can be selfie ready when you pop out the to take a quick pic. Choose a cheap conditioner with lots of slip like Aussie’s Moist and avoid overdoing it by squeezing excess product out in that weird random shower stall they advise you to stop by before getting into the pool.

Follows these quick tips so you can focus on more important summer tasks like mixing frozen margaritas.

Photo Credits: Crown Milan, Naptural Nicole, Essence The Feisty House 

After months of scrolling the gram and peepin' the best travel pics of people smoking cigars and posing for pictures with sculptures of Che Guevara--you’ve had enough. You got you some crochet hair, copped some bejeweled sandals, then caught one of those bomb travel deals you hear people rave about and now you're counting down the days to take off. There’s just one problem-- before you go, your protective style has sparked the interest of your co-workers. Before you can make it to sandy beaches and cold cocktails you’ve got to get past Patricia in Purchasing.

“Omg your hair grew overnight!”

“Does it hurt?”

“ How much does it cost!”

“How do you keep it clean?”

The questions and comments can fly like daggers when you show up in a corporate setting after switching up your style. We’ve rounded up a few suggestions for dealing with them gracefully because let's face it, a classy clapback keeps HR away.

Take a Breather

Rude (and occasionally borderline racist) comments are super overwhelming and annoying but they don’t have to be consuming. It is perfectly acceptable to take a pause before replying or even to say to your co-worker “I’m really not comfortable with answering your question, but thanks for asking.”  Or you could take this as an opportunity to teach--sometimes people just don't know. 

Keep It Short

In the event that you’re down to answer questions for your curious coworkers keep your replies short. “Yes” and “no” are actually complete sentences. It is SO not your job to break down the etymology of the phrase tender headed to Philip in accounting. Your box braids, your business. But also consider that your break isn't that long and do you really want to spend it on why crochet braids are better than sitting for 10+ hours for individual braids--prolly not! 

Flip It

As every ex-boyfriend we’ve ever had well knows, when you can’t defend yourself distraction is your best bet. If you find yourself cornered, don’t be afraid to fire off some work appropriate water cooler questions of your own. You’d be surprised how quickly people can end a conversation when you start questioning their grooming routine--or lack thereof. 

Seek Outside Assistance

You have every right to a workspace where you feel respected and safe. If someone is asking questions or making comments that are upsetting you or causing you to feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to speak up. Avoid a direct confrontation by inviting a cool coworker into the conversation or asking to confer with your supervisor or human resources.

Continue to Slay

Despite inappropriate displayed curiosities and not so thinly veiled insults, you (better) know you’re everything so continue to flaunt your beauty on the inside and out like the Queen you are!

We can't wait to see how you rock your #vacationhair summer! 

Photo Credits: Ebony, Stripped by HD, Hype Hair, Madame Noire