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Cornrows - Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!

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Printed Date: July 30 2025 at 2:54am


Topic: Cornrows - Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!
Posted By: Karen Shelton
Subject: Cornrows - Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 8:06pm
Hey all,
 
Yes, I have been MIA recently but I have a good excuse.  I have been going to braiding school and tomorrow I am graduating and will be getting my license shortly.
 
Today my teacher told me that I really needed to have my hair cornrowed since I have been learning to do several kinds and should experience it.
 
So they cornrowed my entire head and I literally had tears rolling down my cheeks it hurt so bad.  It only took one hour to put 6 rows in but oh my god...I had no idea it hurt so freaking much.  The student that did it was really fast even though he was freaking out how much hair I have. 
 
All the other students told me that cornrowing always hurts but they are all used to it.  Really?
 
Yesterday we did cornrows on a women getting ready to go to Iraq.  She said once she had cornrows put in that were so tight she couldn't even smile.  I can smile but my entire scalp is red.  I have been getting lots of compliments everywhere I go but the students at the school thought it was so funny that a white girl like me had a full set of cornrows. 
 
Billy is also taking the classes with me and we will be taking advanced sew in classes in a few weeks.  I have been braiding so much my fingers are swollen but it has been a great experience.   We have learned every imaginable type of braid including doing add-in hair with extensions and updos with just braids.
 
My favorite braid?  Cornrows.  And I like microbraids but sooooo time consuming.
 
By the way...I have LOVED this school so much that instead of going back to Paul Mitchell I might transfer to this school.   The entire school is African American and all the clients are African American so I have been learning how to do locs and nubian designs and core twists.  Today we learned iron curls and did a relaxer.  Of course we have been doing lots of cornrows and learned how to do braids in the design of a star and a name.
 
Sheesh.....braiding is a lot of work but I am obsessed.
 
 


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)



Replies:
Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 9:59pm
Karen,
 I do declare! You are the most fascinating woman I've ever encountered!!!!!! I need my hair done, I'm coming to Texas, make up the spare roomTongue.


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ALL EYES ON ME


Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 10:03pm
Oh, and you know not to take out those braids before you've taken plenty of pics. The soreness should be gone in a few days. Soreness is fine, pain is not. If it's really painful you need to take them out pronto. Beware, it's going to hurt like a dog tonight when you futilely attempt to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Keep us posted.

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ALL EYES ON ME


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 10:07pm
Originally posted by Ms.Honey Ms.Honey wrote:

Karen,
 I do declare! You are the most fascinating woman I've ever encountered!!!!!! I need my hair done, I'm coming to Texas, make up the spare roomTongue.
 
Hi Ms. Honey.....HA HA.  You are too funny.
 
I have to tell you about my school.  They would have charged me $25 for my full head of cornrows but because I am a student...I got a discounted rate.  All the students get discounts but then they all do the work on each other so it works out.
 
I have learned while at Paul Mitchell and now at my braiding school that going to a cosmo school for expensive services is the way to go.  The teachers all hover and the students at my braiding school can do the most amazing work.  Plus it helps them learn. 
 
I highly recommend that everyone consider checking out local cosmo colleges.  Its a win/win.
 
Catch ya later Ms. Honey.  :-)


-------------
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 10:10pm
Originally posted by Ms.Honey Ms.Honey wrote:

Oh, and you know not to take out those braids before you've taken plenty of pics. The soreness should be gone in a few days. Soreness is fine, pain is not. If it's really painful you need to take them out pronto. Beware, it's going to hurt like a dog tonight when you futilely attempt to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Keep us posted.
 
Hi,
 
Billy took some photos today and mailed them from his cell phone to all my friends.  They were freakin out a little.  Brigid could not believe I let them do this and all the HB.com warehouse guys were ooohing and awwing.  Matt who let us put colored temp extensions in his hair is now asking for cornrows.  HA HA.  I guess we will be doing lots of braiding but I am going to give them pain pills or a stiff drink before I work on them because as I said.....OUCH. 
 
My braids aren't painful.  The scalp is red and tender but I can move my head and smile. 
 
I will let you know how the sleeping goes.  I may be sitting up sleeping....
 
Anyone have any hints for a new cornrollee please let me know.  :-)


-------------
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 10:13pm
PS.  Ms. Honey..have you had micro braids put in..with or without add-in hair?

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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: mokipono
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 10:17pm
Hey Karen,
I new you were missing........I figured it had to do with Cosmetology School. Congratulations on getting your license!!! It took commitment! I noticed when I was in school a lot of the people dropped out before state board.
The first time I put cornrows on a new client it usually pulls a little, but by the time for the 2nd install they say it doesn't hurt any more. I've heard other braiders say the same thing.
Can I find a book which shows how to cornrow in patterns???? I would love to get good at that!


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http://hawaiianhairextensions.com - http://hawaiianhairextensions.com








Posted By: malibu
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 10:18pm
Wow!! How cool! But I'm concerned about the pain. Maybe a bit too tight...
Like Ms. Honey said, it will feel better soon. Take some allieve.

I would love to see pictures! That's so great that you're learning to do it!!
You rock!!


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Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 10:46pm

I don't have the patience for microbraids. Takes way too long, 6 or more hours? No way!!! But my daughters get the sometimes.



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ALL EYES ON ME


Posted By: TanglesRC
Date Posted: January 24 2008 at 11:04pm
Congrads Karen- awesome- your going to be an amazing stylist!
danceparty


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Bringing beauty, one head at a time...


Posted By: Divavocals
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 12:56am
Kudos to you Karen.. You are officially the SHIZNIT in my book!! I thinks it's absolutely AWESOME to see a caucasian woman learning black haircare techniques!! You really are going to be an AWESOME and well rounded stylist!! Good for you!!!

I keep giggling though at the looks folks were giving you being a caucasian woman getting cornrows.. Tell 'em they need to dig up the old Bo Derek flick "10"..

You might be a little sore if you're a first timer, but you shouldn't be suffering from any severe pain.. Can't WAIT to see these flicks!

-------------
Check out the 5th So Cal offline luncheon?? For more info: divahairtalk.overthehillweb.com/lunch.html

Links to my fav vendors & hair albums + Weave 101 information: divahairtalk.overthehillweb.com


Posted By: metalgirl
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 1:25am
You'll be sleeping on your face tonight...LOL
 
Congradulations!  I think it's awesome.  We're all proud of you!
 
I had cornrow weaves for 5 years and only occasionally did they cause severe pain and tightness.  I think it's common to be somewhat sore until your head gets used to it.
 
You go girl!


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http://www.Godiva-Hair.com - http://www.Godiva-Hair.com
http://www.MetamorphosisHairDesign.com - http://www.MetamorphosisHairDesign.com


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 5:22am
Originally posted by Ms.Honey Ms.Honey wrote:

I don't have the patience for microbraids. Takes way too long, 6 or more hours? No way!!! But my daughters get the sometimes.

 
Yes...they take forever.  One of the other female students had them done every 3-4 months and her hair is to her shoulders.  She said they would start braiding at 6:00 pm and they would not be finished until 2 or 3 AM.  But she paid a pretty price for them.  She now has a very short natural cut and wears a variety of wigs because the micro braiding got way too expensive.
 
I can get it done at the school but I would have to have it done over a matter of days because they estimated it would take 12 hours for all my hair.  Not sure if I want to endure that much pain.  :-)  We'll see.  Meanwhile my next experiment is to try and braid around star partings.  My partings need some work but they gave us drills for our hands so I am getting much better and faster.
 
 


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 5:26am
Originally posted by TanglesRC TanglesRC wrote:

Congrads Karen- awesome- your going to be an amazing stylist!
danceparty
 
Hi Tangles,
 
Thank you for your kind words.
 
After spending the last few months in cosmo school I have nothing but respect for any hairdressers. 
 
I have realized how much work and skill it takes.  I think hairdressers should get more respect.  They are as a general rule...awesome people who work their butts off.  The standing all day and learning to use new muscles to blow dry and roll curlers and irons has really given me a whole new appreciation for the business and hairdressers.  Not that I didn't respect them before but now in my book they have all of my respect.  It really is true that you have to walk a mile in someone's shoes to understand what they go through.
 
So kudos to all you hairdressers out there.  Clap
 
 
 
 


-------------
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 5:30am
Originally posted by Divavocals Divavocals wrote:

Kudos to you Karen.. You are officially the SHIZNIT in my book!! I thinks it's absolutely AWESOME to see a caucasian woman learning black haircare techniques!! You really are going to be an AWESOME and well rounded stylist!! Good for you!!!

I keep giggling though at the looks folks were giving you being a caucasian woman getting cornrows.. Tell 'em they need to dig up the old Bo Derek flick "10"..

You might be a little sore if you're a first timer, but you shouldn't be suffering from any severe pain.. Can't WAIT to see these flicks!
 
Hi Diva,
 
Thanks so much for your kudos.  It is very much appreciated.
 
I actually LOVE black hair care techniques.  They are so fascinating.  Yesterday after we did the relaxer we did a wrap to make sure her hair dried stick straight.  It was very interesting to watch.  Also, both men and women come into the school and I helped do core twists on a man who was teasing me that I am "white chocolate".  HA HA.  I have been having so much fun at this school. 
 
Last nite after school I went out to eat and I literally had 4 of the African American waiters come over and want to see my cornrows.  They were all telling me that looked great and asked where I got them done.  Of course I recommended my fellow student at the school (he will probably kill me for sending all those folks over for cornrows but hopefully he will make good tips).
 
I had a table of white women stop me and ask where I got it done and tell me it looked good.
 
I am really enjoying them.  I am going to leave them in for at least a couple of weeks although I have a definite need to figure out if they can touch up my highlights with the braids in.  That will be a discussion today at school.  Smile


-------------
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 5:37am
Originally posted by metalgirl metalgirl wrote:

You'll be sleeping on your face tonight...LOL
 
Congradulations!  I think it's awesome.  We're all proud of you!
 
I had cornrow weaves for 5 years and only occasionally did they cause severe pain and tightness.  I think it's common to be somewhat sore until your head gets used to it.
 
You go girl!
 
Hi Metal....
 
Thanks so much for your congrats.
 
I actually wrapped a big soft towel around my head AFTER I spent the first hour trying to get comfortable.  The towel worked and cushioned the braids.  The pink in my scalp is almost gone and the shower and shake worked great.  I am getting ready to go off to my last day of class although I will be going back for more advanced classes.
 
The woman that owns the school  (it used to be a Madame CJ Walker school) is 78 and invented a special technique where she can build a wig on someone's head who has alopecia and has limited strands.  It takes her time to do it but her work has won awards.  She is president of a national weavers forum that meets every year and I am going to take some advanced training with her.  I am also going to take more braiding classes.
 
Billy doesn't like braiding as much as me but he is very good at it.  He is amazing at color, cut and extensions now but braiding is not as much fun for him as me.  I am totally obsessed with learning all the methods even though I have to practice, practice, practice. 
 
We are also learning a lot of long hair care techniques and special braids for long hair like fishtails and rope braids and full head stacked braids for long hair.  I am going to be taking a few long hair care classes as well since as a long hair person, I would love to be able to work on long hair as well.
 
My biggest concern at this point is wanting to quit working my day job at HB and just do hair all the time.  No...I won't do that because I have 10 years in at HB but trust me, I will probably be working those medieval fairs where they have braiders just so I can practice new braids.  HA HA.
 
Thanks again for your kind words.  I had no idea you wore cornrows for years.  I need to get some tips from you including if you used any special shampoo or conditioners to keep your cornrows soft.
 
Also...any helpful hints on removing the braids?  Besides very slowly?


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: mokipono
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 6:00am
Madame CJ Walker is an Icon. I believe she wrote the first how-to book by an American on how to do weaves. I have her instruction book somewhere, it's probably very valuable by now!
I'm so jealous! I would love to get her autograph. Karen, you are so fortunate to be able to be trained by her!!!! But, I'm sure you know that already. You go girl.......


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http://hawaiianhairextensions.com - http://hawaiianhairextensions.com








Posted By: sherrie215
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 6:39am
Congrats to you Karen! I am in agreement with everyone else, you are an amazing woman, I just dont know how you manage to do it all!
 
And hurry up with those pictures would ya!!!Big%20smile
 
Hope you got some sleep last night!Wink


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www.hairextensions101.com - www.hairextensions101.com
www.mybeautyaddiction.com - www.mybeautyaddiction.com


Posted By: Divavocals
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 6:28pm
Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

I actually LOVE black hair care techniques.  They are so fascinating.  Yesterday after we did the relaxer we did a wrap to make sure her hair dried stick straight.  It was very interesting to watch.  Also, both men and women come into the school and I helped do core twists on a man who was teasing me that I am "white chocolate".  HA HA.  I have been having so much fun at this school.
"White cocolate" LOLLOLLOL I love it!!! That's hilarious..

Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

I am really enjoying them.  I am going to leave them in for at least a couple of weeks although I have a definite need to figure out if they can touch up my highlights with the braids in.  That will be a discussion today at school.  Smile
The short answer is that any chemical services (perms relaxers, color) can't be performed while the braids oare in place.. You need to perform the chemical services first, then have the braids done.. I would strongly suggest a GOOD deep conditioner after any chemical services if you are getting braids afterwards..

Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

The woman that owns the school  (it used to be a Madame CJ Walker school) is 78 and invented a special technique where she can build a wig on someone's head who has alopecia and has limited strands.  It takes her time to do it but her work has won awards.  She is president of a national weavers forum that meets every year and I am going to take some advanced training with her.  I am also going to take more braiding classes.
That's sooo cool.. Sounds like you're learning from a true weave icon! There are so few schools teaching braiding and weaving techniques.. Most stylists who do braids & weaves learned on their own.. (Alll of my past and present weavologists had been braiding hair since they were PRE-TEENS) So IMO, it's awesome that you found such an amazing place to learn! I wish there were more schools like it..

I love the fact that the school used to be a Madame CJ Walker school.. It adds such a good vibe to what they are teaching there.. IMO Madame CJ Walker is a fascinating character in American history.. She's not only an icon for black hair care, but an icon for women entrepreneurs.. I went to an awesome fundraiser years ago that was held in her mansion in New York. (BEAUTIFUL home) You couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense of greatness being in that house..

Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

Also...any helpful hints on removing the braids?  Besides very slowly?
Yep go slow and take your time.. You will come up with ways/tools that work best for you as you wear braids more. Just remember that you will have trapped shedding hair in the braids.. so PLEASE do not freak out when you take them out if you see lots of fallen hairs.. The other tip is to make sure that you do not shampoo your hair after taking the braids out until you are sure you've gotten all of the trapped/fallen hair out. You want to comb and comb to clear as much of that trapped hair once you take all the braids down and BEFORE you shampoo.. You don't want to risk your hair dreading/locing for failing to clear the trapped hair..


-------------
Check out the 5th So Cal offline luncheon?? For more info: divahairtalk.overthehillweb.com/lunch.html

Links to my fav vendors & hair albums + Weave 101 information: divahairtalk.overthehillweb.com


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 7:05pm
Originally posted by mokipono mokipono wrote:

Hey Karen,
I new you were missing........I figured it had to do with Cosmetology School. Congratulations on getting your license!!! It took commitment! I noticed when I was in school a lot of the people dropped out before state board.
The first time I put cornrows on a new client it usually pulls a little, but by the time for the 2nd install they say it doesn't hurt any more. I've heard other braiders say the same thing.
Can I find a book which shows how to cornrow in patterns???? I would love to get good at that!
 
Hi Mokipono....
 
Thanks for the congrats.  Yes..it is shocking how many people drop out but what is even more surprising is how many people don't go to school.  I mean literally they don't go except mandatory days which is different depending on the school. 
 
I guess I need to get more braids after I take these out (hoping to keep them awhile) to see if it still pulls so much.
 
As far as a book on cornrow patterns...I asked the same thing but someone thought there was one.  I am trying to locate it.  If/when I do you will be the first I tell about it. 


-------------
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 7:08pm
Originally posted by mokipono mokipono wrote:

Madame CJ Walker is an Icon. I believe she wrote the first how-to book by an American on how to do weaves. I have her instruction book somewhere, it's probably very valuable by now!
I'm so jealous! I would love to get her autograph. Karen, you are so fortunate to be able to be trained by her!!!! But, I'm sure you know that already. You go girl.......
 
Hi Mokipono...unfortunately Madame CJ Walker is no longer with us.  She died fairly young.  Yes...if you have her book...it is very very valuable. 
 
Sorry for any confusion...I am not getting trained by her personally.  She had a school in Dallas that was sold to the current owner who is in her late 70s and she actually knew Madame CJ Walker.  I only wish I could be trained by her.  But the school is great.
 
Today we learned "scunching".  Do you all know about that?  It is like a fingerwave except you have rows of waves but not the fingerwaves.


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 7:12pm
Originally posted by malibu malibu wrote:

Wow!! How cool! But I'm concerned about the pain. Maybe a bit too tight...
Like Ms. Honey said, it will feel better soon. Take some allieve.

I would love to see pictures! That's so great that you're learning to do it!!
You rock!!
 
Hi Malibu,
 
Sorry I did not get back to you today.  I was in school all day.  It was my last day.  It was hectic.  First of all there was fear of an ice storm hitting the Dallas area so I literally was driving to school at 6 am in order to make sure I was not late.  We had to be there by 8:30 but I could clock in at 8:15.  You know I was there everyday at first clock in.
 
We had to take a braiding test and then we had to do sanitation.  We also worked on "scrunching" and dealing with a client who had chemical burns from doing a home relaxer (ugh).  It was crazy.  At school we are not allowed to have our cell phones on our person.  Everyone cheats and keeps it on vibrate but I am so paranoid I keep mine in my locker.
 
I do have photos.  Billy took them.  I have not had time to upload them and post them.  I hope to do so this weekend.  He got some great angles so you can really see the cornrows.
 
I promise to post them soon.
 
Thanks again for your feedback.


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 7:14pm
Originally posted by Ms.Honey Ms.Honey wrote:

I don't have the patience for microbraids. Takes way too long, 6 or more hours? No way!!! But my daughters get the sometimes.

 
Hi Ms. Honey........it seems that micro braids are hot for teens and younger women.  A guy at my school who is going for his instructor license told me his daughter who is a senior in high school gets microbraids and 2 people work on her at the same time so it only takes 6 hours to do her entire head.  They also don't braid down to the tips.  Only halfway through the strands.
 
Maybe I should try that next?


-------------
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 7:17pm
Originally posted by sherrie215 sherrie215 wrote:

Congrats to you Karen! I am in agreement with everyone else, you are an amazing woman, I just dont know how you manage to do it all!
 
And hurry up with those pictures would ya!!!Big%20smile
 
Hope you got some sleep last night!Wink
 
Hi Sherrie....
 
Thank you.  I have been meaning to get back with you but have been crazy trying to get everything done.  Now that I have a little time off before I take the advanced weaving I will definitely be getting back with you.
 
Yes...I will get the photos up this weekend.  I had hoped to do it tonite but I was so exhausted from the past week I went home and crashed. 
 
I hope you are doing well.  We need to have a chatfest. 


-------------
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 7:30pm
Originally posted by Divavocals Divavocals wrote:

Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

I actually LOVE black hair care techniques.  They are so fascinating.  Yesterday after we did the relaxer we did a wrap to make sure her hair dried stick straight.  It was very interesting to watch.  Also, both men and women come into the school and I helped do core twists on a man who was teasing me that I am "white chocolate".  HA HA.  I have been having so much fun at this school.
"White cocolate" LOLLOLLOL I love it!!! That's hilarious..

Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

I am really enjoying them.  I am going to leave them in for at least a couple of weeks although I have a definite need to figure out if they can touch up my highlights with the braids in.  That will be a discussion today at school.  Smile
The short answer is that any chemical services (perms relaxers, color) can't be performed while the braids oare in place.. You need to perform the chemical services first, then have the braids done.. I would strongly suggest a GOOD deep conditioner after any chemical services if you are getting braids afterwards..

Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

The woman that owns the school  (it used to be a Madame CJ Walker school) is 78 and invented a special technique where she can build a wig on someone's head who has alopecia and has limited strands.  It takes her time to do it but her work has won awards.  She is president of a national weavers forum that meets every year and I am going to take some advanced training with her.  I am also going to take more braiding classes.
That's sooo cool.. Sounds like you're learning from a true weave icon! There are so few schools teaching braiding and weaving techniques.. Most stylists who do braids & weaves learned on their own.. (Alll of my past and present weavologists had been braiding hair since they were PRE-TEENS) So IMO, it's awesome that you found such an amazing place to learn! I wish there were more schools like it..

I love the fact that the school used to be a Madame CJ Walker school.. It adds such a good vibe to what they are teaching there.. IMO Madame CJ Walker is a fascinating character in American history.. She's not only an icon for black hair care, but an icon for women entrepreneurs.. I went to an awesome fundraiser years ago that was held in her mansion in New York. (BEAUTIFUL home) You couldn't help feeling an overwhelming sense of greatness being in that house..

Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

Also...any helpful hints on removing the braids?  Besides very slowly?
Yep go slow and take your time.. You will come up with ways/tools that work best for you as you wear braids more. Just remember that you will have trapped shedding hair in the braids.. so PLEASE do not freak out when you take them out if you see lots of fallen hairs.. The other tip is to make sure that you do not shampoo your hair after taking the braids out until you are sure you've gotten all of the trapped/fallen hair out. You want to comb and comb to clear as much of that trapped hair once you take all the braids down and BEFORE you shampoo.. You don't want to risk your hair dreading/locing for failing to clear the trapped hair..
 
Hi Diva,
 
Thank you soooooooo much for the tips.  I was freaking a little bit because I already had to pull some shedded hair from the ends that got trapped.  I really didn't think about the shedding issues so that you for telling me before I did freak out. 
 
Thanks for telling me not to shampoo until I was sure all trapped, fallen hair is out.  I definitely don't want locs.
 
I have noticed a few new things today.
 
First of all...my head is freezing.  It never occurred to me before that hair when wore lose protects your head from temperatures.  Today I thought I felt wind whistling through my braids.  I get it now why people with cornrows wear all kinds of headgear.  It is definitely colder.  It doesn't help that it is cold in Dallas right now.  We had an ice storm warning for today but luckily it never happened.
 
Second...my braids are no longer hurting BUT now they are starting to itch a little bit.  They warned me about that at the school and told me to buy a product that Revlon makes that is for itching.  Someone else suggested Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo dabbed on the parts but then someone else warned that I have to be careful not to dry out my scalp or it will flake?
 
Third...when I washed my hair is warm water...the braids seemed to tighten up.  There is no way I am going to wash my hair in cold water to avoid shrinking. 
 
Fourth....one of the students suggested that I "oil" the braids to keep them shiny and soft.  They had diefferent opinions of which product to use but someone suggested using regular jojoba oil.  Any thoughts on this?
 
Thanks again for all your suggestions. 
 
 


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: malibu
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 7:53pm
Yikes Karen!! I remember last year being in Dallas at this time and there was an ice storm. It was F R E E Z I N G too!!! Right now we're getting our fair share of rain in SoCal!!

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Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 8:36pm
Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

Originally posted by Ms.Honey Ms.Honey wrote:

I don't have the patience for microbraids. Takes way too long, 6 or more hours? No way!!! But my daughters get the sometimes.

 
Hi Ms. Honey........it seems that micro braids are hot for teens and younger women.  A guy at my school who is going for his instructor license told me his daughter who is a senior in high school gets microbraids and 2 people work on her at the same time so it only takes 6 hours to do her entire head.  They also don't braid down to the tips.  Only halfway through the strands.
 
Maybe I should try that next?
 
  It's good to learn as many techniques as you can but that's not one of my favorite looks, the halfway through.
  Organics Itch Relief Cornrow and Braid Scalp Remedy is pretty good and smells delicious. Keracare's Anti-Itch Glossifier is good too. Or you can use plain old WitchHazel to relieve the itching.
 White Chocolate? Perfect!! I love it! You are the Tina Marie of the hair worldTongue


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ALL EYES ON ME


Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 8:39pm
Oh, are they going to teach you pinch braids in the advanced class?

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ALL EYES ON ME


Posted By: Shirilyn
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 9:00pm
Hi Karen and congratulations to you attending cosmetology school. I have read the post and noticed you are wearing cornrows. Well, I am not bragging, but I am so tender headed. When I got my weave done by a fellow stylist I literally put my head in the sink and let the water hit my scalp. It hurt so bad. I now do my own weaves, only because I can't stand the pressure of others on my head.
 
My clients tell me that can't even tell I am braiding their hair. Just a thought for you, make sure you practice light and even tension when braiding. The majority of stylist think that the braids are supposed to bring excrutiang pain. lol, but anyway, goodluck on your braiding and other extension methods. If you ever need help holla at yo girl!
Shiry


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http://www.myspace.com/texashairextensionqueen


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 10:33pm
Originally posted by malibu malibu wrote:

Yikes Karen!! I remember last year being in Dallas at this time and there was an ice storm. It was F R E E Z I N G too!!! Right now we're getting our fair share of rain in SoCal!!
 
Hi Malibu,
 
Yes...we get about once ice storm a year.  It only lasts about 1-2 days and that's it for the year but they were saying it was going to happen today.  I was a little freaked because our roads turn into skating rinks for a short time.  I asked our school director if they would close the school and he said no...probably not.  Which meant that if I was over contract I would have had to pay extra, which was not a major problem but I would have also had to go to school on Saturday to finish instead of Friday.
 
I was determined to get to school.  So I got up at 4:45 am and left the house at 5:50 am to drive to school to be there by 8:15 am.  In good weather it took about 1 1/2 hours to get to the school from my house.  Luckily it was only rain and no ice but I was holding my breath.  They actually cancelled the ice alert...at least for now.
 
Yes...it has been in the 20s here and that is rare for Winter in Dallas.  We usually don't go much below the mid or high 40s.
 
Rain is good for SoCal...right?  To keep away any fires and other problems.
 
Have a great weekend.


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 10:39pm
Originally posted by Ms.Honey Ms.Honey wrote:

Oh, are they going to teach you pinch braids in the advanced class?
 
Yes....pinch braids and also how to use the caps to weave in full heads of add-on hair for clients with alopecia.
 
So far we learned box braids, cornrows - over and under - with various patterns such as stars, names, French braids from hairline, from mid head and from nape, full fishtails from the hairline, fishtails from the nape of the neck (hard to tighten), herringbone tails Sengalese twists, core twists, locs, locs with twists, rope braids, hairline twists, scrunches with side braids and all kinds of braided updos.  We also learned all types of add-in hair braiding and weaving methods.  Also box braids, micro braids, micro mini braids, hanging braids, Dutch, English.  Partial braids, full braids....you name it....we learned it.
 
At this stage the key is practice, practice and practice.  For our test we had to do several of the braids, a braided updo (I did an English braid at the crown into a chignon and a full head fishtail that was tucked) and we had to do cornrows and then take a written test.
 
Whew...I am making myself tired.  I am going to go crash.  I promise to post my cornrows tomorrow.


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 10:42pm
Originally posted by Shirilyn Shirilyn wrote:

Hi Karen and congratulations to you attending cosmetology school. I have read the post and noticed you are wearing cornrows. Well, I am not bragging, but I am so tender headed. When I got my weave done by a fellow stylist I literally put my head in the sink and let the water hit my scalp. It hurt so bad. I now do my own weaves, only because I can't stand the pressure of others on my head.
 
My clients tell me that can't even tell I am braiding their hair. Just a thought for you, make sure you practice light and even tension when braiding. The majority of stylist think that the braids are supposed to bring excrutiang pain. lol, but anyway, goodluck on your braiding and other extension methods. If you ever need help holla at yo girl!
Shiry
 
Hi Shirilyn,
 
Thanks so much for the post.  I hear you on the light and even tension.  We used both African American and white mannequin heads and the different in the hair type was amazing.  I actually could braid a little tighter on African American hair because it had more grip than white hair which was slippery and had to tighten. 
 
I am definitely going to keep your help offer in mind.  You will be hearing from me.  Thanks so much.


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 25 2008 at 10:44pm
Hi Ms. Honey,
 
Thanks for the tip on Organics and Braid Scalp Remedy.  I am going to try them tomorrow.  For now....I have some Witch Hazel to get me through until I can get to the hair store.
 
I want to ask you more questions...I will check back tomorrow and post my head shots. 
 
Have a great evening.
 


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)


Posted By: malibu
Date Posted: January 26 2008 at 9:32pm
Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

Rain is good for SoCal...right?  To keep away any fires and other problems.


You would think but no actually. Rain promotes more growth which
in turn becomes a fire hazard later on when we don't see rain for months on end and everything is dry dry dry.


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Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: January 27 2008 at 7:27am
Originally posted by malibu malibu wrote:

Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

Rain is good for SoCal...right?  To keep away any fires and other problems.


You would think but no actually. Rain promotes more growth which
in turn becomes a fire hazard later on when we don't see rain for months on end and everything is dry dry dry.
 
Ahhhh....now I remember my Mother In Law telling me that.  She lives in San Diego area and the recent fires came without a few hundred feet of her back door.  She is actual a native California born in Los Angeles...of all places and she told me the same thing about the rain...but I had forgotten.
 
The good news about rain here is that I don't have to worry about getting my hair wet now.  Ha Ha
 
Have a great weekend.


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That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)



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