Oh my hair. Not really a TWA and not really long enough to do what I really want.
le sigh
It’s at a length that I consistently do 2 strand twists with good result, but still awkward enough that I feel that I’m running out of creative options.
I think it irks me more because I’ve been through this once before, but then my hair was texturized and I trusted my lifelong hairdresser. Definitely a story for another day.
Right now and pretty much the entire summer, I’ve been rocking a handful of standard looks:
1)wash and go
This is a staple and works well after I run in the AM. I tend to pair it with a
2)braided headband
IF I am lucky enough to make a braid ear to ear that doesn’t look like Captain Hook and a 8 year old got in a fight, this is perfect and I will wear it out for 3 or so days. I find that it helps to accomplish this after I’ve already twisted the rest of my hair because I tend to grab pieces from the wrong place.
3)headbands
I love hair accessories. I need to hit up Forever21/Etsy/make my own really soon. I think head bands are great but sometimes don’t really hold my hair back because it’s at the ‘not really a TWA and not really long enough to do what I really want’ length. The sides right by my temples always stick out awkwardly when I wash n go. Come to think of it, that area looks off to me 90% of the time.
4)braided/bobby pinned sides
Really easy but it really depends on my mood. I like this look when I’ve done a twist out or maybe day 2 twist out. I think that it all depends on how your hair is feeling that day because sometimes you could think a style would be a good idea, but then it ends up looking a mess.
Overall this awkward stage has willed me to become more creative. I think that it will only be a matter of months before it’s over and on to new and exciting challenges of being natural.
@petitoignon
I have BEEN here before. What did you ladies do during this stage in your natural hair journey?
11 Comments
My hair is exactly at this stage and its my first time out so I am getting frustrated with the lack of variety of styles(some of its due to my lack braiding skills).
I think that my lack of braiding skills play part in this as well. When it was longer(when I had a texturizer *shudders*) I could braid it with finesse, but at this length iStruggle.
I am also at this stage, it’s very frustrating-ish
and I usually do twist outs, once in a while I’ll
do a braid out and put my twist out or braid out in
a puff
My hair is at this stage and I am pregnant. The only thing I can do without making myself overly tired is a puff. When I get more energy, I might try more.
This is my problem too! I can only plait and two strand twist. I’m thinking of getting a sew-in for the winter so my hair can grow some more but I’m afraid it will hurt (I’m very tender-headed). I would love to learn how to flat twist.
Thats what i did! Lol . I protective styled my way through that stage
I am at my “why won’t it grow stage” as well. I’ve been natural a little over 6 months now and I think I’ve had about two breakdowns stemming from my lack of growth. LOL. But I know it will get better. Thanks for sharing you advice and your story.
-Shakiyla
I primarily wore wigs when my hair was at that awkward length. I would rock my twist out for 2 maybe 3 days, but the minit it started lookin raggedy, I’d whip out my kinky textured wig and all would be well with the world. I have some short afro wigs that I’ve learned to wear as half wigs and incorporate the front of my hair to make it look like my own.
I also wore a weave last year when it got cold and my hair did grow quite a bit. It’s been a year since and my hair grew just to the top of my shoulders! Guess what I did? I bc’d all over again! LOL. I’m now rocking a tapered twa.
Headbands, big flower clips and head wraps.
Ditto on the awkward hair at the temple – what ever direction it goes is just wrong.
styles that help – strategically placed flat twists (especially for that temple area), bantu knot outs.
Sometimes I just pick 2-3 styles and rotate. Uber-creativity will have to wait for now.
As much as I am tired of my 6 inch (stretched) long hair options, I have to admit it makes me create some pretty awesome styles. I figure I’ll enjoy every part of this journey because my hair will be long someday. 🙂
I love wearing a shrunken tapered fro so Im not really bothered by it. I figure I’m in it with 4-6in? Also When I stretch it out and see the length in all it’s awkward glory, yeah that wave of frustration comes crashing over me. My twistouts make me look ridiculous, I just end up spraying it with water and conditioner till it shrinks to a slightly bigger fro and then I can breathe. I love wowing people with my length. I’m just so amazed at how much it has grown in a year!