Like most women, I like to switch my hair up for the season. And while some ladies like to go the cute and cropped route to beat the summer heat, I chose to go big and bold with extensions from The Pink Line.
Started by Michel Sproles, wife of Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Darren Sproles, The Pink Line was created specifically with the intent of providing high-quality extensions and weaves for women who’ve lost their hair as a result of cancer. Sproles, herself, was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer at the age of 28 and underwent a double mastectomy. While her treatment didn’t include chemotherapy or radiation, her experience with the disease prompted her to want to give back to the community of survivors. Hence, The Pink Line was born.
I’m not a cancer survivor myself, but I was drawn to the brand’s #SweatandSlay photo campaign launched earlier this year with the aim of encouraging women of color to live active and healthy lifestyles without worrying about sweating their hair out. The campaign features three-time Olympic medalist Carmelita Jeter (whose sprint time of 10.64 seconds makes her the fastest woman alive) and two members from her “Team Jet” team, Destinee Brown and Aliyah Brown. And you can see from the photo below why I was inspired.
Considering it’s not likely I’ll be getting sis’s washboard abs anytime soon, I figured I could at least mimic her ‘do — kidding! I do workout at least five times a week though, and it is quite the pain attempting to transition from a head full of sweat to a head full of perfectly crafted curls. So, I opted to try The Pink Line’s Brazilian Curly extensions (in 20 inches because why not?)
I always know the quality of hair is good when my stylist, Destiny, is impressed and that she was when I pulled out these bundles. Not only did she like the texture of the hair, she noted that it was really easy to dye when she added reddish-brown highlights throughout the tracks to create more dimension.
What impressed me was how lightweight three bundles of hair and a closure felt and what really let me know I made a good decision was when I realized how low-maintenance this style was. Whether I wore a hat or pulled the curls back in a ponytail during workouts, after intense HIIT training all I had to do was fluff out the hair on top a bit and mist a restorative spray of some sort along the hair shaft to revive the curls.
While I got this hair with exercising in mind, I also knew I had a two-week trip to South Africa coming up and in the midst of safaris, conferences, and other sight-seeing I couldn’t be bothered with hair of all things. Carol’s Daughter’s Cactus Rose Water Volume Spray and Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Style Setting Spray were my go-tos when I was away because they gave the curls the definition I wanted while keeping them lightweight. One wash and condition a week was all I needed for a full refresh and detangling was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be for this much hair — especially since I didn’t come through it regularly. If big, bouncy girls are in your summer vision, let me assure you The Pink Line is a good look.
