There’s nothing like a tan… but there’s also nothing like beach hair. Back in the day, at sleep away camp (holler, Wah-Nee!), if we ever took beach trips we would capture bottles of ocean water in order to bring them back and douse our manes. We would tilt our heads over the sink and pour away, making sure to equally distribute the oceanic goodness among us all. We wouldn’t waste a drop.

To this day, that tousled, full, energized, wavy look trumps any other ‘do. We’ve learned that it is the ions in the ocean and ocean air that made our dreads look so scrumptious (that’s the word on the street, at least). OH and — Yes, they make ionic brushes, one of which I own, which actually works– very well.

With all of that being said, my trip to South Carolina has brought me much happiness… not only because of the heaps of fried food, pool days, time to relax and read, but also because of the ocean hair opportunities. Today, in particular, has proven to be an excellent ocean hair day. At the beach, we barely went in the water, but those sneaky little ions still managed to weave their way into my locks and stay there for hours… to this moment my hair is full, crazy, and playful.

Upon exploring hairstyles for this evening’s events, I just let it down, but it managed to turn itself into a halo sort of thing, surrounding my entire head as though it were a lion’s mane. I quickly gathered it, as though it was going to get away, and put it in a tight bun. So not attractive. It wasn’t until I re-discovered this fabu side french brade (a la Jessican Simpson 2009), that I had a smile on my face.

In case you all forgot about this braided goodness, I wanted to remind you. So the next time your hair is full and plentiful, and you don’t have time to wash it (or don’t want to) toss the top in a side french braid, and weave that happiness into a long, full pony. viola. It feels so good, outta my face, and still decorative. Onward!