2014 Protective Style 3: Afro Marley Weave

So I had only contemplated my third protective style of this year about a week before I got it installed. I usually announce I’m thinking about getting another put in but I didn’t have a clue what I wanted (haha as usual) or if I wanted one to begin with. I considered doing the bangs weave again cos it kept me and my ears ridiculously warm. Then for a minute (literally) I thought about getting braids again. Then for another minute (literally) I thought about leaving my hair out for a bit longer. My initial plan was always to give my hair two weeks rest before installing a new style. It’s my rough ‘get her to the aisle’ hair plan. But I noticed that my edges needed more of a rest so I actually stayed with my own hair out for four weeks and in those four weeks I discovered a new website that sells a whole bunch of awesome natural girl friendly stuff but what got me excited was that they have Marley hair! 

Now, my regular readers would know I’ve struggled to find some realistic looking natural hair extensions in SA. Remember my big bad fro? That hair was from the States – a very useful gift from my dear sister (hi Z!). So when I came across this site and saw they were based here in Jozi, I gasped, my heart stopped and I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn’t dreaming! I got several packs (two different brands) and used one of them the next day on my real hair. My Instagram followers would know that I was loving adding that Marley hair on to my hair to create faux buns etc. Then work got hectic, time wasn’t on my side and I wasn’t feeling the last packs of hair extensions in my hair basket. So I had a brain fart – why not use the Marley hair as a weave…

And so here I am. I knew I still wanted to have a bit of detail so asked the stylist to put cornrows in on the side. I had actually thought the finished look would give me a bigger type of afro but I’m loving this longer hair vs. bigger hair result. It took her a total two hours to complete the style.

I got my hair from Obulunji – a brand new South African based online store. Each pack costs R150 and I went overboard and used two :D. As you can see, you really don’t need more than that!  If anything, 1 – 1.5 should be enough. The hair itself is supposed to be used for braiding so a few snips to the ends will be necessary as time goes on. If you want to use this (or other hair meant for braiding) just ask your stylist to attach it as a weave – you make a knot with each piece and sew that part on. At the moment I’m loving just tying it in a low pony to help reduce the ends from matting.

It’s keeping me warm, it’s giving Fro a break from the cold, it’s a brand new look and I have to simply say that I’m loving it!