The wedding

So, once I realised the braiding plan wasn’t going to happen, I knew I had to do something with my own hair, but something I don’t usually do. I’d already bought my dress and had an idea of the entire look, so I wanted to have a nice updo. Then came the tug of war of whether I should just give it a go myself or go to a salon. I hadn’t had my natural hair styled in the salon… ever, so I was very scared about doing the deed. I scoured the internet for different ideas and came across the following (amongst others):

Jamila from College Curlies had some fabulous updos I thought I could do myself:

Then of course there’s always Janelle Monae for fab updo inspiration. But I think I’d have to wait about ten more years til I reach that stage of pompadour.

Then I came across this, and fell in love:

So I began my mission of trying to find a salon nearby that could do this style for me…why not? I hadn’t pampered my hair in over a year so I thought I’d dish out maximum R100 for it. I approached the salon at Morning Glen and showed them the pic. I had my fro all out and free that day, and the woman who was going to style it had been washing someone else’s hair so her hands were still a bit wet. I asked her if she can do it and she starts digging her hands into my hair, pulling and fluffing it up and just not being nice to it. Of course now I’m on high alert that this chick doesn’t know the first rule about wetting natural hair. Then she tells me it’ll cost me R150! To which I exclaimed “With my own hair?? You’re not even using extensions!” She wasn’t impressed, and emphasised her “I’m not impressed” look she’d been wearing since she saw me and asked me “Well, what do you want to pay?” I told her not more than 100. Then she went on about how they have to wash and blow dry my hair, then style it etc…to which I said I’d do that all at home myself, I just need them to style it. So she huffed and said “fine” to R100. As Nthasi said, expensive and rude? Not worth it! So I moved on.

I went and asked for the same thing at the salon in Wendywood shopping centre. The lady there was much nicer, more welcoming and I forgave her for also handling my hair with wet hands much quicker. We settled on R80. Made my booking for two weeks ahead.

The night before the wedding, we went out for dinner with Kev’s fam, sans bride and groom. I just pinned my hair that day (follow on from previous post) and took the style into the eve. Here we are munching on some seafood.

Morning of the wedding, I quickly washed and DC’d my hair. NB: I’ve now started to put Vatika Oil in my DC so I double that time by having an oil treatment. Then I quickly blow dried it before heading out to the salon. Whilst there, the lady (Jennifer) said she needed to get it more straightened to do the style and blow dried it again. I was trying not to pay too much attention to the hairs flying off my head, and kept in mind this is something I’d probably do once every year and a half. I brought my zesty lemon butter with and she didn’t use any other products on my hair. She also used a medium toothed comb to dry it. I was really shocked and impressed at how long my hair actually is now:

I was super happy and started taking these pics before she started braiding, lol. It’s almost as long as my relaxed hair was after blow drying it. It took just over an hour in total and was a pleasant experience. The ladies were nice and I think I’d go there again for the next time I decide to treat myself and fro.

The results:

Loved the side angled quiff 😀 Was tres happy with the result, so was Kev…and almost everyone who knew me at the wedding. I’m so glad I did it at the salon, God knows I can’t cornrow to save my life and Jennifer did a nice a neat job of it. Happy times.