My Thoughts on the Tension Method

Hey Ya’ll! So I was totally inspired by Klassy Kinks to try the tension method and then I was re-inspired by LiveNaturallyLove. I finally did it this past Sunday after co-washing my hair with As I Am Coconut Cowash. I don’t normally co-wash my hair. I always shampoo it. However, I shampoo my hair last Sat and I haven’t been at the gym sweating so I decided co-washing was sufficient. I didn’t want to dry out my hair and strip it of all its moisture. I absolutely love the As I Am Coconut Cowash (purchased at target). Good Stuff!  While it was in my hair and even after I rinsed it out, I was able to comb through each section of my hair with a wide tooth comb. No stress there! I washed my hair in sections this time. Below is hair my after its co- wash, dripping wet and in its twisted sections.

My baby hairs are laid like Chili from TLC

I put some grape seed oil on my hair to protect my hair from heat damage {however, I need to buy a real heat protectant}. I then put my blow-dryer on the medium heat setting and proceeded to do the tension method. I did it like LiveNaturallyLove because I then followed it up with the comb attachment and set that bad boy on the high heat setting. I did this for a couple of reasons.

1. Like LiveNaturallyLove, I wanted to get my hair straight enough so I could trim it. {This was my first time trimming all of my hair}
2. I noticed that even though the tension method was helpful in stretching my hair out, my roots were taking forever to dry and they were tangled.
3. I haven’t used any heat on my hair since New Year’s Day, exactly two months ago so why not. #YOLO

For all my tangles and knots, I used my fingers to de-tangle. I added water for the serious tangles and used a wide tooth comb afterwards. My hair is easiest to comb when it’s wet or damp, and less painful too! The more it air-dries, the more drama so I tried to keep it damp.

This picture above is of my hair after I blow-dried it with the high heat setting along with the comb attachment. As you can see, I needed a serious trim. My last trim was in December 2013. I noticed that after I removed my seven week old {or six week old?} braids, my ends were in terrible shape. I was waiting for my sister-in law to trim them. She is a hairstylist and the only one that trims my hair. However, another  “snowstorm” was approaching *rolls eyes* and I needed a trim. I couldn’t wait any longer. I also felt inspired by CharyJay to trim my own hair :-)!!

Celie Twists on blow-dried hair

Celie Twists never fail me

Celie Twists never fail me

So I put my hair in Celie Twists and headed to the beauty supply store to purchase some shears for my trim. To make a long story short {because I know how to DRAG a story}, I did trim my hair. It didn’t go as well as I had imagined after watching CharyJay do it. However, the split ends are gone for the most part and the shedding has stopped. I feel complete and whole again..lol  Just kidding but I will still let my sister-in-law trim it for me, just in case I missed any parts. I just needed some instant relief. I hate when my hair is shedding all over the bathroom floor and when my ends get tangled in knots. Unfortunately, I don’t have pictures of my trim because it was late when I did it and I was so over it…lol Over my hair, over the day, just over it all. However, I will say that while it took me forever to  blow-dry my hair, I watched Mahogany (starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams) for the first time on Centric and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I love their on-screen chemistry {i.e. Lady Sings the Blues}. That movie made blow-drying my hair bearable.  Anywho, I really want to shave all my hair off, I really do! Shaved heads look so liberating. I have always wanted to rock it but I am a chicken. I also want a cute bob and for my hair to be all one length {not in the eternal layers I’ve had since 2011). I really want a new look because I am extremely bored wearing Celie Twists all the time. There is an inner, fierce, hair chameleon inside of me and she wants to come out of hiding and play!

Chameleon- one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance- Merriam Webster

I love Kelly Rowland’s bob. She always looks good!

Photo Credit:Frederick M. Brown/Zimbio

Anywho, my final thoughts on the tension method are that it was helpful in stretching my hair out but it did absolutely nadda for my coily roots. I will definitely try it again in the future, using a real heat protectant and keeping my comb attachment very close to me. Ain’t nobody got time for straight ends and puffy tangled roots. No bueno!

Have you ever tried the tension method? How did that work out for you? I’d love to know so please do share with me in the comments below.

Thank you reading and have an awesome week 🙂

~Amma Mama