Recently, we spotlighted the trend of crochet hairstyles, and many of you animatedly co-signed!
Besides all the perks of being healthier for natural hair and being more affordable and more realistic looking than traditional weaves and wigs, the fact that crochet braid hairstyles are easily DIY gives me life!
This article is a highly requested follow-up to a previous article on the site, but this time around, we are teaching you how to install popular crochet braid hairstyles categorized by difficulty level. If you give it a shot, you can absolutely do this yourself, and get your hair exactly how you want it. Can't braid? No problem! There are so many braidless crochet techniques. YouTube is everything sis!
Related: These Crochet Hair Styles Are Giving Weaves & Lace Fronts A Run For Their Money
So, go get your supplies, crochet needles, and hair of choice ready ladies! It's time to DIY your crochet protective style!
Easy: Braidless Crochet Puff
Styling Time:
45 minutes
What You'll Need:
A Crochet Pen, Edge Control, a bristle brush, a ponytail holder, a pair of scissors
Suggested Brand:
Jamaican Bounce Sensationnel African Crochet Hair
How To:
Do you want a crochet style option that is not only easy to do, but takes the least amount of time to install? Try making a ponytail or high bun using crochet hair.
For this look, the most you will need is two packs of hair. Slick your ponytail into your desired updo and lay your edges down with a heavy holding edge control gel. Don't be afraid to get funky with it! You can do one big puff or two. Or maybe you want a nice sleek low ponytail look. Whatever you choose, it will take no time to install!
Watch the full tutorial here.
Medium: Pre-Looped Defined Curly Fro
Styling Time:
2 Hours
What You'll Need:
4-7 Packs of Hair based on the texture, a weaving needle and thread, a crochet needle, a pair of scissors, a Fine Tooth Comb
Suggested Brand:
Deep Twist Bouncy Curl Curly Crochet Havana
How To:
This crochet hairstyle is a bit more involved than the puff because you must create a basic braided base. Creating a simple 8 to 10 cornrowed pattern going straight to the back will be the longest part of this install. Not good at braiding? There are plenty YouTube tutorials on how to flat twist, or connect single plaits together to create a pattern. Check some out below:
Now, for the fun part! Select your pre-looped and defined crochet hair of choice.
With a pre-defined curl, there will be no need to custom curl your hair with hot water, or do a more time-consuming "invisible part method." With a fuller hair texture, you can install your crochet pieces more spaced apart. The two-finger method is a great way to evenly install and space without using too much hair.
Directions:
- Choose the best braiding pattern for you. The best way to get the cleanest look is to use an 8 to 10 braid pattern going straight back. Tuck away any hang time with a few stitches of needle and thread.
- Start from the nape of your neck, crocheting each single strand of crochet hair into the braid
- Place the crochet needle through the braid. Now take the pre-looped strand and place it in the open crochet hook.
- Close the latch and pull the crochet hair through the braid.
- Tighten and secure the loop by pulling the end of the strand through the pre-looped hole, wrapping it securely around the braid.
- Keep working your way up your entire head until you have filled in your braid pattern. Be mindful that you want to keep them closer together toward the top. Feel free to cut, style and shape the style as you see fit.
Watch the full tutorial here.
Hard: Crochet Vixen w/ Custom Curl Pattern
Styling Time:
4-5 Hours
What You'll Need:
5-8 packs of hair depending on the texture and brand, a weaving needle and thread, a crochet needle, a pair of scissors, a Fine Tooth Comb, Butterfly clips, Rollers/flexi-rods, Hot water, Towel, Mousse
Suggested Brand:
ISIS Collection Afri-Naptural Definition Braid or Latched N Hooked Hand Dyed Braiding Hair for a natural dyed ombre look
This versatile crochet Vixen hairstyle will have people scratching their heads trying to figure out if your crochet is actually your hair! With this style, you can wear your hair in multiple parts and style it in natural, inconspicuous ways. This style will take a more intricate braid pattern to gain the most natural look. Non-pre looped braiding hair is usually the way this look is achieved.
If you have the time, and the willpower, this could be the most natural-looking crochet you ever install! The best part is, you don't have to stick with the blown out look. You can achieve all kinds of roller sets, braids, and twist outs by dipping this hair in hot water and blending it with your natural leave-out.
How To:
- This style takes a more detailed braid pattern. Braid your leave-out around all your edges, and in the shape of a lowercase "t", or "+" down the middle of your head.
- Braid spider web patterns in each of the four quadrants you've created, being sure not to include your leave-out by keeping it in the separate braid.
- Stitch down your hang time.
- Grab the crochet needle and begin to install small portions of loose braiding hair on to the braid pattern until complete.
- Around the edges, you might want to opt for the "Single Strand Invisible Part Method," for the flattest blend with your natural hair.
- If you want to rock this blown out look, do it sis! But, if you would like a custom curl pattern, set your crochet hair in any rollers or Flexi-Rods that you want. For a wavy look, plait single braids into the crocheted hair.
- Grab a pot, or tall insulated cup of hot water CAREFULLY, using your towel to dip the hair in the hot water for 10-20 seconds.
- Keep the set in until fully dry. Unravel to see your beautiful curls.
- Grab your moose and rub it into the hair to tame any frizzies.
- Make sure you set your leave out in a same pattern for the best blend.
Would you try one of these crochet styles?
- NO LEAVE OUT - Watch Me Slay & Style these Crochet Braids ... ›
- 40 Crochet Braids Hairstyles for Your Inspiration ›
- 48 Crochet Braids Hairstyles | Crochet Braids Inspiration ›
- 47 Beautiful Crochet Braid Hairstyle You Never Thought Of Before ›
- Crochet Braids Hairstyles, Crochet Braids Pictures ›
- Top 50 Crochet Braid Hairstyles in 2017 ›
- Crochet Braid Hairstyles | Essence.com ›
Although this might seem like a heavy way to intro this particular topic, because the O Method is an orgasm-achieving technique that centers around housing energy, embracing the mental practice of manifestation, and the attempt to achieve the best climaxes ever — it all works together pretty well if you ask me. If you want to take your orgasms to the next level, it’s important that you get out of yourself (to a certain extent), that you see the spiritual role that manifestation plays, and that you are open to trying new things. No doubt about it.
So, let’s learn more about what the O Method is all about and how it very well could be just what you’ve been looking for…even if you didn’t know it.
What Is the “O Method” All About?
GiphyQuestion: When’s the last time you’ve had an orgasm? Not just any orgasm — I mean a really mind-blowing one (I’ll give you a second to think about it). Now, what if you could manifest that experience to the point where it wasn’t a rare occurrence but something that happened almost every time that you and your partner had sex with each other? How absolutely awesome would that be?
That is pretty much what the O Method is all about — helping you achieve the kind of orgasms (and sexual pleasure, in general) that you desire through the practice of manifestation. And since your biggest sex organ is your brain, it would make perfect sense that even with all of the tips and techniques that you might learn to do as far as your body is concerned, honing in on what you think about is super imperative to sexual fulfillment, too. And that’s just where manifestation comes in.
What If You’ve Never “Manifested” Anything Before?
GiphyBefore we get into a quick lesson on manifestation, I think it’s important to mention two things. One, for the cynics, there is a lot of truth in the fact that it’s got some solid spiritual basis to it because even the Good Book says that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). At the same time, that same Good Book tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). So, while it is always a good idea to focus on good, positive, and productive thoughts, just thinking about them isn’t enough — at some point, you’ve also gotta get out here and DO something (bookmark that).
Okay, with that mini-sermon out of the way, whether it’s in the bedroom or not, manifestation is basically about focusing on something tangible that you desire, harnessing your energy in such a way that your words and actions are directed towards that longing until what you want, well, manifests. For the record, aside from this having a spiritual backing to it, in many ways, science cosigns on manifesting, too. There is actually a scientific process known as neuroplasticity that consists of reframing your mind so that your actions ultimately end up aligning with your goals — and that is another way to look at manifestation.
So, what if you’re someone who has never set out to do a manifestation practice before? No worries. Something that’s awesome about it is there are several different approaches that you can take.
Some people manifest what they want in their lives via:
- Journaling
- Visualization/Creating vision boards
- Writing down their desires before going to bed (so that they can “download” them into their dream state)
- Creating mantras and affirmations
- Applying the 369 Manifestation Method (you can learn more about that here)
- Meditating
- Learning more about what you want to manifest (which brings forth clarity)
This is important to keep in mind because, when it comes to manifesting the types of orgasms that you want to have, as you can see, you can try different manifestation methods until you find one (or ones) that you are truly comfortable with. One that can ease you into the entire process rather smoothly is something known as sex journaling.
How Sex Journaling Can Actually Help You to Have an Orgasm
GiphyAs a writer, I’m a big fan of journaling. Mostly because it’s a way to get out some of your deepest thoughts and feelings so that you’re able to really process what is happening inside of you in a private setting. And when it comes to sex journaling, specifically, it’s all about centering yourself on the things sexually that you want to “unpack,” get clarity on or come to some revelations about. For instance, if there’s only been one partner from your past who’s been able to help you achieve the type of orgasms that you wish to manifest, journaling about what makes him different from the other guys can provide you with some solid ah-ha moments.
Or if you need help getting as specific as possible about the sexual experiences that you’re after, journaling can help to make that happen for you — because one thing that manifesting reminds us all to do is be as specific as possible.
Yeah, simply saying, “I want to have better sex” isn’t detailed enough when you want to get your energy to match with your desires — instead, describe how all of your senses should feel in the experience, along with why, that can get you so much closer to achieving your goal. Once those things are documented, you can segue into creating mantras and/or meditation that are based on them. Yeah, sex journaling really is an underrated superpower on a lot of levels (check out “The Art Of Sex Journaling (And Why You Should Do It)”).
5 Tips for Making the O Method Work for You
GiphyNow that you know more about what the O Method is and how manifestation plays a direct role in its process, let’s talk about five ways to make the O Method truly effective in your own (sex) life.
1. Focus, FULLY, on your feminine energy. What do rose quartz, amethyst, moonstone (which is a Gemini birthstone as well; yes, I’m a Gemini), selenite, and rhodonite all have in common? They’re crystals that help you to go deeper into your divine feminine energy. Traits that are associated with this include compassion, creativity, kindness, gentleness, and sensuality (feminine energy is also accepting and forgiving). If you were to study energy from a biological standpoint, it’s about producing change, responding to stimuli, and having the ability to do what needs to be done (work). So, when it comes to manifesting the kind of orgasms or sexual experiences that you want, using things like your creativity and gentleness in your thoughts and actions can play a role in bringing balance to your partner’s masculinity, which can create a profound sense of pleasure — after all, opposites do attract.
2. Don’t hold back on what it is that you desire. Whenever I interview sex therapists, something that they all say is, a huge mistake that people make as far as sexual satisfaction is concerned is, they have walls up — not just with their partners but even within themselves. Sometimes, there is intimidation, fear, or even shame around what they really want to happen during sex to the point where they aren’t able to channel their energy fully in those directions in order to manifest what they want. For the O Method to work, you can’t let those types of negative emotions hinder you; the more you are able to articulate what you want and how you want it, the better chance you have of making it happen. So yes, get graphic. As graphic as possible.
3. Make manifestation a daily practice. Repetition is important when it comes to manifestation. That’s because the more you declare what you desire (a mantra), get still and think on it (meditation), or look at the “art” that you’ve created surrounding it (visualization), the quicker it becomes a part of you. So yes, make manifestation a daily practice. For instance, if one of your mantras is, “I am going to have intensely passionate orgasms, one right after the other,” don’t just state that 15 minutes before sex is going to happen. Wake up and declare it. Then say it on your lunch break. And again before turning in. The more your thoughts are “streamlined” in this way, the easier it will be for your body to follow suit.
4. Share this practice with your partner. If you were to do even more research on the O Method, one thing that most of the articles will mention is it’s a practice that you can do alone or with your partner. Indeed. However, I just want to make sure that you get into your psyche that great sex is, in part, about good communication. And so, the more comfortable you are sharing with your partner what you are doing as far as the O Method is concerned and what you ultimately want to happen as a result of the practice, the easier it will be for him to “match your energy” — both in and out of the bedroom. And when your partner is on the same page as you? That definitely increases the chances of attaining your sexual desires — exponentially so.
5. Stay in the moment. While I was reading one article on manifestation, I really appreciated something that the author said: manifestation isn’t some supernatural power. In other words, while it can be beneficial, it’s not like you can just think of something, and it instantly appears out of nowhere. Manifesting is a discipline, and it must be accompanied by action, consistency, and patience — this means that you must also practice mindfulness. Meaning, now that you know better what you’re looking to achieve as far as sex is concerned, every time that it transpires, maintain a level of positive energy, remember what your end goal is, and then determine in your mind to enjoy the moments as they come. Remember, manifestation isn’t to add stress…it’s to cultivate clarity.
_____
At the end of the day, the O Method is simply a way of reminding you that your mind plays a huge role in your sexual pleasure, and when you channel it and your energy exactly where you want them both to go, you’ll be amazed what your body is capable of doing…and accomplishing.
So, what kind of orgasm are you wanting to achieve? You’ve got a tool to get you there. USE IT.
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Featured image by Giphy
