Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Let's talk weaves...........................

OK so I'm no expert but after wearing weaves for so long I learned a lot of do's and dont's. I'm in no way promoting weaves or suggesting that you get one. If you have one or plan to get one there are some things you should know.

1) The first thing is always making sure that your natural hair is healthy. We tend to neglect our own hair when wearing weaves because we can't see it (depending on what type of weave you wear). If you go to a salon it may be necessary to stress your own hair's health to your stylist. Not all stylists focus on hair care. If you do your hair yourself, try to give it a treatment at least every two weeks.

2) Secondly, choose the type of weave that better fits your style, schedule and personal preference. Just like anything else, over time weaves have evolved. There's the sew in, glue, quick weave and depending on where you live I'm sure there's more. My personal preference was sew in. A sew in is easy to manage and usually last longer than the others I mentioned. The installation can be painful and if you're tender headed this definitely isn't for you. The braids can sometimes be really tight which is uncomfortable and will damage your hair. You should try not to exceed six weeks for a sew in. The thread can  get tangled in your hair and it is very difficult to get out. Gluing is easier and takes less time to install. It can last up to two weeks, three if you tack in between (re gluing lifted sections of track). Gluing can also give you a more natural look. If you add a few pieces in no one will ever know. Although it's pain free, it can damage your hair also. There are several glues on the market and as I have come to learn, they're not all the same. If it's important to you, it wouldn't hurt to spend a little extra on some professional bond glue. The removal of the track  is probably the most important. You should always saturate the tracks and your hair with some type of oil or conditioner before removing them. That loosens the track from your hair without pulling it. Be patient, it can take some time. Another trick is to put a little astringent (clean & clear, seabreeze etc) on the track and it usually slips right out. You should be good to go! Now quick weaves (caps), I've never gotten done. I've seen some that look like helmets and I'm scared. Having said that, my bestie gets them done all the time and hers look fierce so it depends. I posted a few links to videos below for your viewing pleasure.

3) Last but not least, your hair's health depends on your over all health. It's very important to take care of our bodies so that every thing  functions properly!

Enjoy : )

Sew in tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILkUVQGN15M&feature=related

Glue in tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAQ2JbJPBL0&feature=related

Quick weave tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40B_Aukad9A&feature=related

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