Last week I decided to start a low manipulation, protective style challenge to improve length retention as well as my styling skills. I started with quite an easy hairstyle and it’s fair to say I’m easing myself into this because this week is another simple style. The idea is to have a protective style in my hair 5 days out of every 7.

Last weeks hairstyle.

I undid my hair on Friday evening, had an updo on Saturday and conditioned on Sunday, plaiting 4 big braids to keep the hair stretched after sealing with my Mafura Butter.

The roll tuck and pin style that I wore over the weekend. I liked it but wasn’t sure it’d last the week.

I wore a duku to disguise the fikutis (braids)

I don’t use heat to stretch my hair and apart from getting rid of any lines when I have a twist out or braid out, I don’t use combs either. I find that this helps with my length retention.

Now for this weeks style.

Step 1: Part the hair three ways. The two sections on either side of your hair should be equal and the section at the front will be a sort of U shape. I’m not the kind to be really bothered about straight lines but if you are then you’ll want to use a comb for the partings.

I sectioned my hair into three and used alligator clips to separate them

Step 2: Flat twist the two big sections upwards.

Flat twisting upwards.

Step 3: Twist the front U section. You can have small twists or fairly large ones like I did. The twists do not have to be even.

Twist up the front of the hair.

Step 4: Pin the twists as well as the ends of the two flat twists down to create a textured pompadour. Play around with the hair to get the desired effect.

No, my lines are not straight but I’m OK with that. Hopefully my flat twisting will get better over the course of this challenge.

Completed style: side view

Textured pompadour

I will tie my satin scarf on my hair every night for bed and spritz with water and honey to re-moisturise if it feels dry during the week.