5 Signs You Got A Bad Weave

I will tell you this, hair extensions are not for the faint of heart. Ittakes time to become a connoisseur of weave and I'm still learning myself through a lot of trial and some error! The best thing about weave, clip-ins, wigs, braids, crochets and any other type of extensions is that it gives our hair a break from styling and also allows versatility.  However, with weave comes great responsibility, it is extremely important that when you decide to add hair you either go hard or go home!

What?!?! Yes, you betta bring it! Don't half ass a weave, it's either quality or nothing at all.  My definition of quality does not mean spending $100 or more on a bundle of hair, that ladies, is some good ole fashion marketing! A good weave is about two things: the hair and the install.  I'm going to share my top 5 lessons learned when purchasing hair and installing a weave.  Learn from my mistakes and avoid the embarrassment and shame of a bad weave.

Number 5: Shedding & Tangling

Despite what many think shedding really has to do with the way the hair is wefted.  According to blackhairmedia.com, high quality Remy Hair is mechanically machine wefted and sewn by industrial sewing machines while Virgin Hair is more commonly known to be wefted by human operated sewing machines.  As a result, it's said that Virgin Hair tends to shed a bit more but keep in mind shedding is normal.  Think about your hair, when you comb it doesn't it shed?

Now, if  you walk around your house and leave a trail of hair behind you, that my dear is a sign, you got a bad weave and should not repurchase that brand/type of hair.  There are things you can do to prevent additional shedding like purchasing double wefted hair or sealing your wefts with fabric glue.

Excessive tangling is a great indicator of a bad weave.  Good hair does not tangle at the nape of the neck.  Yes, you'll need to brush it out here and there to bring the hair back to life but by no means should strands be sticking together! That is unacceptable; girlfriend toss that hair and never look back!

Be sure to watch my videos on YouTube (Channel KesiaKing) for hair and product reviews.  Also search other Vloggers and get details on what brands to buy and their associated pros and cons.

Number 4: Multi-color install

Ombre is toally in, but having naturally dark hair and purchasing a color 4 (brown) is not.  This is another all or nothing moment.  If you choose to wear a leave-out and have your edges exposed make sure you find hair that matches your natural color.  This can be tricky if you're like me and have multiple highlights in your hair.  You have to make the decision to either dye your hair to match the color of the weave you're purchasing or go for a full sew-in and don't leave any hair out.

Your black hair on red weave are not highlights.  I'm not saying this for anyone to get defensive, I've been there, but some people won't tell you it looks bad because they're being nice. I'm keeping it all the way one hundred - remember go hard or go home ladies, do it right!  What I've recently began to do is purchase the same color bundles and closure, then going to the drug store to purchase color. This way, all the weave has the same base color and then when I go in to add highlights.

Number 3: Frequent mirror checks

One of the many perks of having a good weave is being able to just get up and go with minimal styling. You know you have a bad weave when you're constantly adjusting and readjusting your install.  Whether you're checking the mirror to ensure a track isn't showing or trying to dodge the blowing wind (lol, now that's funny).  Leave the overly thick, heavy weaves for the celebs it's not very conducive to everyday life, but be sure to have enough hair added that it covers possible flaws in your install.  I generally go with 2 1/2 to 3 bundles for a full sew-in.

2. Mismatched textures
It's important that we know and understand our hair before deciding to get extensions.  Research is required and there are several questions you should ask yourself before making a purchase.  I really think some women don't understand the level of thought that must be put into choosing hair and a stylist.  The most important things to consider are the following:

What activities will you engage in with this weave? This sounds really funny as I'm typing but it's the truth. Do you workout frequently?  Are you going on vacation and plan to swim?
If you're natural you know that water and sweat will "expose your curlies," as I like to say. Basically, your edges and your leave-out will revert back to it's natural state while your extensions stay bone straight.  In order to avoid mismatched textures opt for a full sew-in, this will give you complete coverage and you won't have to avoid the gym or the pool.  Another thought would be to get a courser type of hair installed.  Peruvian hair is a bit more course and in my opinion matches the texture of African American hair a bit better than Brazilian. If you're natural consider a style like crochet braids, box braids or marley twists.  There are also a number of styles you can wear with Kanekalon hair. Extensions should allow you to do more activities with less work. Don't be that girl that doesn't have fun because she just got a new weave!

Do you live or will you be visiting a humid climate?
Climate has always been a huge factor in

black women's hairstyle selection.  We know rain and humidity are like our kryptonite! That sleek on fleek flatiron job you got done on your edges and leave out will poof right on up faster than you can make it to the car for rain cover or seek shelter for air conditioning. If your hair is relaxed you don't have to worry about this because your hair will continue to lay.  My advice, if you have natural hair is to get a full sew-in, opt for curly weave or get a style with bangs for a more natural look. If you want a straight weave, go for a closure so you can wear a faux part providing the illusion that the hair is growing out of your scalp, when in actuality none of your hair is exposed.

Number 1: Unhealthy Hair

When all the weave, extensions, clip-ins, glue, etc. is out, what is the condition of your hair? A good weave should promote hair growth. Your hair can even thicken from a good weave because you're minimizing the daily stress you would typically put on your hair.  A bad weave pulls on your edges and can possibly leave you edge-less due to a poor install. If you have a leave-out and you notice a lot of breakage it's probably because the mismatch in texture was so extreme, that you found yourself straightening your hair daily.  How you and your beautician care for your hair under your weave  is important.

 I love making u-part wigs because I can take them off easily and wash the wig and my hair separately.  I take the wig off every 4 weeks, wash  and deep condition my hair, braid it back up and throw the wig back on. Clip-ins are quick to remove so you can easily continue your daily hair care regimen.  If you wear braids, crochets or twist, be sure to oil your scalp and even rub shampoo over your braids a couple times a month to rinse out dirt, debris and oil build up.  Be sure that you dry your hair properly to avoid mildew caused by wet hair under a sew-in or wig.

Even if you wear weaves consistently and never expose your real hair, it's important to maintain the health of your hair.  Keeping extensions in too long can cause major issues with your real hair.


Honorable mentions from Aaron King (husband): You know you got a bad weave if...

6. White people can tell it's a weave
7. It gets up and runs across the room
8. It looks like a mop sitting on your head
9. If the weave's texture is nappier than your normal hair
10. If it smells like hay or corn chips

All White Everything!

I put this outfit together from the Akira collection

Never have I ever, worn all white.  So, I promised myself that for my 30th I would rock an all white fit. It was comfortable and for me the pop of red in the lip and the shoe topped it off.  When I think of all white I envision Mary J. Blige and Lisa Ray.  Both tend to go for sophisticated yet sexy styles and that was the image I wanted to portray for the evening. My number 1 rule of thumb, KEEP IT CLASSY!

Sexy is not about what you expose and how much of it you expose. Sexy is what you exude and how you carry yourself. It's fun to show skin but you have to portion it out.  The way I see it, if you're going to show cleavage cover the midsection and wear a decent length skirt (knee length or longer).   If you're serving legs then cover the cleavage.  The idea is not to show too much at one time.  A couple peek-a-boos won't hurt anybody but showing the whole shebang can take you from sexy, classy and sophisticated to raunchy and get you called a THOT real quick!

      

Not sure if you caught Beyonce's 2015 Met Gala look...who am I kidding, I'm sure you caught her sheer look because she pretty much broke the internet.  I'm sure she also broke a few necks and some suffered from whiplash or rubbernecker syndrome as she strolled by on the red carpet.  Sheer is definitely in, but I do think there's a line that can be crossed and she crossed it and then came back and crossed it again! My look blends the all white and sheer concept and still leaves something to the imagination.

Here's my other stab at the sheer.  Guess what bargain shopper got this hot mama sheer dress for $30 bucks! Me, me, me!

New Orleans: The New Vegas or Better???

My trip to the NOLA was nothing less than Ooo's, Ahhh's and Yolo's! 

Oh, ye of little faith! Yes, I'm talking about myself.  I was so overwhelmed in the beginning of the year, consumed with planning my husband's 30th, my son's 7th birthday party, my full-time job (which has been nothing but stressful lately, grrrr!), my now 10 month old, and oh yeah, working on my start-up; I really had no time to plan a spectacular 30th birthday for myself.  And to be quite frank, I was starting not to give a damn.  Last year I promised  myself  I'd do it big since I was pregnant and couldn't "turn up" for my 29th (hahaha this sounds really shallow as I type this, but hey, mommies and wives deserve to treat themselves too!).

So my husband surprised me with a birthday dinner the weekend of my birthday but that morning he gave me a birthday card with a trip itinerary to New Orleans.  Now, I'll be honest my first reaction was pretty lack luster, dry, some may even say wack.  To tell you the truth, all I knew about this city was Lil' Wayne, Mardi Gras and Katrina.  Between those three things I had no clue what to expect.  Ha! Well, little did I know I would be walking off the plane and into a party! From there the food, drinking and dancing NEVER STOPPED.

Some say New Orleans is the new Vegas but in my opinion, it's better. You get the authenticity of the city, natives and overall culture. You experience the jazz and funeral bands playing in the street with people dancing close behind, blocking traffic; the accents, live music and southern hospitality, it's all there! Rather than walking that long ass strip in Vegas (y'all know that strip is long!) in New Orleans you pretty much just walk up and down several short blocks.  Simply stroll  in and out of free clubs (yes, no cover) claim your territory and hit the dance floor!  Oh and the the weather was great, it rained on and off but it's mostly light so it won't spoil your time.  Even if you do come across a storm it won't rain on your parade (pun intended).

Okay so enough talkie talkie, the pictures tell it all!  I'll list all the hot spots and traditional dishes so you know what's a must while in NOLA!  If you have any questions leave a note in the comments box.

We stayed at the Hotel Monteleon, located on Royal Street in the French Quarter.  This hotel was beautiful! As soon as we got off the plane we entered their well-known rotating bar, Carousel Bar.  This hotel is in the middle of it all and you don't need to rent a car. Cab from the airport is 20-30 minutes. If you run into Nolan the doorman consider yourself lucky, he's awesome!

Left: Primm's Cup from the Carousel Bar   Right: Hurricane from Oyster Bar (you can get this drink almost anywhere)
Oh and let me not forget to mention that you can drink in the streets just like in Vegas! 

At the Harrah's Casino

Top left: Red beans & rice with fried chicken from Oyster Bar    
Top right: Fried shrimp po'boy - Johnny's is the most popular spot but you can land a po'boy pretty much anywhere
Bottom left: Shrimp & Grits from NOLA (restaurant) (this dish was pricey $29 but spectacular and totally worth it!!!)
 Bottom right: Beignets from Cafe Beignets (fried fritter covered in powdered sugar - a must!)
Honorable mentions:
Oceana
Sucre

Cajun Encounters (Swamp Tour) www.cajunencounters.com
We got pretty well acquainted with several gators and a family of wild boars!

Cafe Beignet is the talk of the town and of course a must-see/taste and tourist attraction.  They also serve other great dishes such as gumbo, jumbalaya, cajun hashbrowns, muffalettas and red beans and rice.

Each day brought a new adventure and great memories and I wouldn't be true to myself or this blog if I didn't give you a glimpse of my outfits lol

Now you will find many gentlemen's club as you walk through the streets at night, but you don't even have to enter them to see the goods lol.  Checkout the lady who decided a skirt and some pasties was just enough to walk down the streets.  New Orleans is like nothing I've ever seen!

Aquarium of the Americas - one of the top aquariums in the U.S.

The Shops at Jax's Brewery - shopping, dining and tourist attractions

BEWARE: BROTHAS ON A MISSION

"BEWARE of  THE BLACK MAN," says the media 

I agree, BEWARE....

 of the rising number of black men earning advanced degrees, 

becoming leaders in their fields and giving back to their communities.

Unfortunately in today's climate, watching the news you'd think the only thing black men are capable of are being sperm donors, thugs and jail birds - which is why I refuse to watch the news and would much rather report my own.  This depiction couldn't be further from the truth.  What I despise is that these news stations tend to focus on very specific sectors of our communities (most often  inner city or areas that foster low income families plagued by poverty) and hone in on criminal incidences so much so - that it appears that's all that blacks are capable of.

I had a reality check when I studied abroad in Costa Rica my junior year of college.  I had a Tico (Costa Rican man) ask me at a bus stop "De Donde Eras?" (Where are you from?) I replied back proudly, "Soy de Estados Unidos" (I'm from the United States).  He looked at me dumbfounded.  He continued to probe and suggested I couldn't possibly be from the United States because black people aren't "from" there.  This man had never visited but believed he knew about the States from the movies he watched at the theaters and television shows he enjoyed in the comfort of his home.  I chuckled a bit, because he was right.  If all he saw were major movies like Bond and television shows like "Friends," I couldn't blame him for thinking black people didn't exist in America, because at that time in 2006 we weren't represented much on the big screen.

Another way to think about this, if I were white and grew up in an all white neighborhood, went to an all white school and all my friends were white, and all I knew about black people was what I saw on tv, what would I think?  Scary thought, right?  What's even more scary is that this is the reality for thousands of Americans!  I believe this is the biggest culprit of racism, pure ignorance, and I mean this in it's truest form.

The definition of ignorance, according to dictionary.com is "lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact."  So where am I going with this?  This post is to give you a very, very small glimpse, into the black community that is very rarely publicized.  Yes, we have one month out of twelve that highlights the same famous black people over and over and over  again! But there are so many others that continue to raise the bar, right now in the present, and I'm going to shout them out as loudly as I can.  This post is dedicated to the black men that have had all odds and bets placed against them starting from birth but have still managed to be extraordinary in their endeavors! 

What makes me most proud to highlight them are that these are men I know.  Men I lived next door to, sat in class with or met by accident lol.  The point being, they are real and they exist and everyone should be aware that there are many more like them!

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr., Ph.D

A friend of mine that I met while studying at the University of South Carolina - Columbia was recently featured in an article for "BE Modern Man: Meet The Researcher Joseph T. Bonivel Jr., Ph.D."  Let's talk about impressive - this man is only 32 years old and he holds a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Biomechanical Engineering from USC and a Doctorate in Mechanical and Materials Engineering Science from the Univ. of South Florida.  He is currently a Senior Research Engineer in the Defense and Space industry.

Joe believes strongly in the importance of giving back through mentoring and is one of  the board of directors for ManyMentors, a nonprofit encouraging minorities and women's interest in pursuing science, math, technology and engineering.  

Archange Antoine, M.A

I randomly bumped into Archange on the USC campus back in 2005 and despite the fact he didn't even attend the University he actually saved me from being hit on by an intoxicated party-goer! As I sit back and reminisce it seems Archange has always had it in him to help, support and encourage others.  He was a great friend and spiritual mentor to me, so it didn't surprise me at all when I found out  he was recently elected as President of the Roselle Board of Education!

Archange earned a Bachelor degree in Law & Justice studies from Rowan University and a Master of Arts in Corporate and Public Communication. He's also a Black Caucus Chairman for the New Jersey Young Democrats and on the Rowan University Alumni Board of Directors.  His passion for people, politics and policy has been evident in his pursuit to represent the Roselle Public School District at the highest level.  His mission is to improve the quality of life for low income and middle class people through the promotion of education and academic excellence.  Archange's main objective is to be an example and help cultivate the next generation of leaders for the state of New Jersey.  Learn more about his initiatives and what he's doing to give back to the community here and be sure to "Like" his page and show support.  

Austin Brown

It's only right that I mention Austin Brown being that the NBA draft is right around the corner! Austin and I attended Evanston Township High School (which produced some of the best and brightest I might add) and we both participated on the school's varsity basketball programs.  Austin went on to play ball at DePauw University and as a senior was a first team all-Southern Collegiate selection. He took his game off the court after graduating and into the agent realm, as an agent with CAA sports.

Austin was recently listed among Forbes magazine's "30 under 30: The Sports World's Brightest Young Stars."  He earned that spotlight by representing 3 top - 40 NBA draft picks. According to DePauw news, "In 2014 Brown was responsible for signing two top - 40 NBA draft picks, Michigan State's Garry Harris and Michigan's Glenn Robinson III.  In 2013, Austin signed No. 9 overall selection Trey Burke, who went on to earn NBA All-Rookie first team and finished third in rookie of the year voting."  Austin is a great example for the young guys aspiring to become professional athletes.  We all know it's extremely competitive to make it that far but there's so much more that former athletes can do beyond actually playing on the court. If they have a good education in their back pocket the opportunities are endless!

James Hunter, MBA, MPA

Speaking of education, it is so crucial for us and even more important to recognize those that strive for academic excellence, because it's not easy and definitely not a cheap endeavor!  We all know we have to work twice as hard to simply get on the same level as some of our sisters and brothers from another mother so we should give credit when credit is due, even when it's not requested.  I've known James since elementary school and he's always been an overachiever.  No, really his academic ambitions are evident in his accomplishments.  James is currently a Commodity Manager for Airport Services Procurement at American Airlines.

James graduated from the Univ. of Illinois - Urbana Champaign with a Bachelor's Degree in Aviation, Human Factors and provided flight instruction at the university in compliance with FAA regulations.  James then went on to graduate from Kennesaw State University with a 4.0 MPA GPA, earning his Master's Degree in Public Administration.  However, that wasn't enough for Mr. Hunter, he also earned an M.B.A in Operations Management and Supervision and was a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society.

It's important we share the accomplishments of our brothers and show those coming up that we are better than what is portrayed on t.v.  Our black men are scattered throughout the United States and are doing amazing things across the nation to add value to our society.  We have to take it upon ourselves to promote and uplift each other because if we don't no one else will.  If you know other's that deserve a shout out please don't hesitate to send me their info and I will surely provide them with the exposure they deserve.

Email me:  kesia.king@gmail.com

U-part Wig and Closure Tutorial (No Leave Out)

I'm actually surprised at how many women still leave out their hair when installing a weave, especially if they are natural. I do get that there's more versatility in styling but I hate to see the breakage they suffer due to the constant straightening of that one section of hair.

Whoever invented the closure was a genius! I still can't understand why I didn't think of it first! A closure gives you the option of protecting all your hair while still rocking a "natural" looking weave...meaning a weave with a part.  If you really want to wear a weave to promote growth, you'll want to install a u-part wig and closure.

The wig is a nice option because you don't have to necessarily sew the tracks to your hair, you can use wig clips to fasten the wig. This means there is no pulling on your braids when combing or brushing the extensions.  The other pro, is that you can remove the wig very easily to take down your braids and wash your hair, especially if you use the elastic band method for securing your lace closure (I'll do a tutorial on that at another time). In this video, I'll show you the sew down method, where I sew down the closure and partially sew down the u- part.

The dynamic duo has completely changed the game.  It's much simpler if you feel compelled to do your own sew-in.

Watch and leave comments or questions below! Hope you enjoy!

My Poetic Justice: Box Braids

Hard work paid off! It took me 14 hours but once I was done, I loved my braids. They are so versatile!  Every now and then I need a style that takes minimal work, so that I can get up, get my kids ready and go!  Us naturals also appreciate a style that will give our natural hair a break from all the styling and manipulating.  Check out my view, I was in Orlando on a business trip, so I also needed a style with very low maintenance.  If you have patience and know how to braid, then I would highly suggest giving this style a try.

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This is How You Do Brunch!

It's insane,

the multitude of pain,

that pours like rain,

on the voluptuous frame,

that is so eloquently named,

BLACK WOMAN

-Kesia King

These ladies are owning their personal style.  Each with a very distinct look and genre which they made their own!
Middle: BeBe Jones - Stylist follow her: +BeBe Jones
FB: BeBe Jones
t: RowASet1
Twitter: @Bebe_Jones
IG: @ Rowaseat

A couple weeks ago I attended the Beauty and Brunch event in Chicago.  The room was filled with educated, classy, charming ambitious women.  There were entrepreneurs, bloggers, brand ambassadors, chefs, writers, saleswomen, educators, personal stylist, you name it they were there.  

After 9 long months of doing market research, networking, filming and writing my business plan, it was such a relief to finally go out and start sharing my entrepreneurial endeavor.  Outside of receiving great feedback, I was all of a sudden surrounded by potential business partners - from hair stylist and makeup artist to financial consultants and owner of a PR firm.

Myself & Takeya McCollum - Haute Kinky Hair Beauty Insider, Blogger and Brand Ambassador.
Follow her on IG @Takeya _Monique
Youtube: @ikeya88
Twitter: Takeya_Monique
HKH Discount Code: Take10

Different curls for different girls!  #Curlfriends

Upper left: Owner of Lipstick Cult - For bold and unique lipstick shades click on the link and visit her website
Bottom left:Aisha Taylor - Financial and life coach and founder of Frugal -N-Phenomenal (FNP).  Aisha is dedicated to helping women live the phenomenal lifestyle they deserve but do it in a savvy and responsible way.  Click on the link to visit her website and find ways to look good and live well without breaking the bank!
Right: Shante' - She was exuding beauty and her necklace was EVERYTHING!