I can’t believe the last time I wore mini braids was December 2012. These are long overdue. I started these at 7pm last night. I braided off and on until 2am. I started again around 12:30pm today and finished at 6:30pm. Keep in mind that includes long breaks for eating, socializing, surfing the net, reading, etc…
I followed my usual routine for putting in mini braids. I clarified with a bentonite clay mix, protein DC’d with an egg mixed with a Giovanni conditioner, then used the same Giovanni conditioner to DC for about 5 minutes. I braided my hair in 16 braids (the same way I do my braidouts). I used the Eden Bodyworks product I reviewed a while back and my shea butter mix. I didn’t have a day to let the braids dry so I took them out a few at a time about 3-4 hours later. After braiding, I added some water and more shea butter to get the ends to curl up.
I’ll probably keep these in for 4 or more weeks. I haven’t had a lot of time to blog because of family obligations but I will try to do weekly updates as usual. Here are some pics I took. I was in a rush so if I have more time, I will set up my tripod and take some better ones later on.
For full details on how I prep for mini braids, braid, maintain, and take mini braids out, check out the Mini Braid Method eBook.
OMG…these braids are flawless, and your growth is really coming along very nicely. You have been such a wonderful inspiration for me. I found your blog in December of last year, and I put in some mini braids in February, and have been wearing them since then. I believe they have helped me to retain alot of length so far! I’m eagerly waiting for my next length check in December/January 😀
Ah, that’s really sweet! I’m glad the blog has inspired you. Braids are a great way to retain length. I’ve found that length is not as important to me anymore. I guess I’m in maintenance mode at the moment.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and have a happy hair journey. 🙂
Simply beautiful as usual!
Thank you! 😀
How lovely!u have inspired to be a mini braider.I am currently in minibraids now.but I am just necl lenght(so sad).can’t wait till my hair is longer to have mini braids just like yours.since finding ur blog I think I have read almost all your posts about minibraids!more grease to your elbow and thank you!I never liked my natural hair since big chopping till I found your blog!
Wow, what an amazing comment! I’m glad you are enjoying the blog. Comments like these make me happy to invest the time it takes to update content regularly.
I’m positive your natural hair is beautiful! Embrace it and with a little patience, it will grow long before you know it. I’m working on the patience bit myself. 🙂
Oh…my…goodness! your braids are so gorgeous! I have been a mini braider since i have been natural (3 years on Aug 12, previously natural for 2 1/2 years) and your site has really helped me perfect my craft. The back of my braids are long, but gosh the front is a real party, kind of giving my braids a ‘mullett’ look lol!
Thank you! When my hair was shorter the front looked shorter than the back as well. I have a couple articles on styling mini braids and bangs. I’m on my phone so I can’t pull the link but I think it’s called “Bangs 8 Ways.” For a long time I’ve had pixie bangs and they never looked right braided so I posted the different ways I disguise them. Similar hairstyles should work to disguise the mullet look. I’ve stopped cutting my bangs and they are almost shoulder length now, but I know the struggle, lol. 🙂
Thank you! I am going to look around for it 🙂
[…] The initial post on these mini braids is here. […]