All About Banding!!

[Sianna]

Good evening ladies!

I haven't seen a thread here about banding, so I decided to start one myself!

In order to prevent damage to my ends and avoid a setback, I've recently decided to cut waaay back on heat usage but at the same time, I'd like to see more length from time to time.

I think that banding would be a nice alternative, not only for me but others as well. I don't have a lot of knowledge of how to do it. I mean, the idea seems fairly simple, but I still have questions! And unfortunately, I never seem to be able to find different techniques, and more importantly, pictures of results!! So, I decided to seek advice from my favorite hair related forum! I've listed my questions below.

1. Are there products that work better for banding than others?
2. How does the hair behave after it's stretched by banding?
3. Does it shrink back more quickly than it would with a blow-out?
4. Are there banding techniques that yield better results than others?
5. How do you keep the ends of your hair from being poofy?
6. Should it be done on wet, dry or damp hair?

So, if you've tried banding, are interested in trying it, have tips or want to ask questions about it, please post below!

And of course, PICS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!! But that's a given!

I'm going to experiment with it myself sometime this week and I'll definitely post before and after pics!

 

[iri9109]

i banded my hair once before i blew it out...i just used leave in conditioner and oil...i wasnt going for a straight look per se, i just wanted to stretch the hair a little bit so i wouldnt have to use a high temp when blowdrying or blowdry for a long period of time...when unbanded my hair it was still slightly damp but it stretched it out pretty well, because after i ran the blowdrier thru it (on low and cool) it didnt really stretch out much more, but the blowdrier got rid of the kinda wave pattern left from the ponytail holder indentations...my ends werent really poofy, but they werent straight either...i dont think banding is a substitute for a blowout or flatiron job, but i does a good job stretching hair in preparation for another style such as twists or braids or a blowout or straightening. i think banded hair would look cute in a puff tho.

 

[Moopeh]

i band my hair instead of blowdrying. I flat ironed my hair so I could trim it.

I used to need 400degrees at LEAST on my flat iron to get my hair straight (this is after blow drying it straight). Now that my hair is healthy and moisturised, I simply banded airdrying, and flat ironed using the comb chase method.

Banding is the bomb.com

I always band my hair when its very damp. Not soaking wet, but wet enough to stretch and smooth easily.

 

[g.lo]

Good evening ladies!

I haven't seen a thread here about banding, so I decided to start one myself!

In order to prevent damage to my ends and avoid a setback, I've recently decided to cut waaay back on heat usage but at the same time, I'd like to see more length from time to time.

I think that banding would be a nice alternative, not only for me but others as well. I don't have a lot of knowledge of how to do it. I mean, the idea seems fairly simple, but I still have questions! And unfortunately, I never seem to be able to find different techniques, and more importantly, pictures of results!! So, I decided to seek advice from my favorite hair related forum! I've listed my questions below.

1. Are there products that work better for banding than others?
2. How does the hair behave after it's stretched by banding?
3. Does it shrink back more quickly than it would with a blow-out?
4. Are there banding techniques that yield better results than others?
5. How do you keep the ends of your hair from being poofy?
6. Should it be done on wet, dry or damp hair?

So, if you've tried banding, are interested in trying it, have tips or want to ask questions about it, please post below!

And of course, PICS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!! But that's a given!

I'm going to experiment with it myself sometime this week and I'll definitely post before and after pics!

hi,

i had a go on banding last week after my wash, and have to say i loved the result, my hair came out straight and soft, i have used goody ouchless band.
i have done it on damp hair after using my leave in, and almond glaze.
this is the tutorial i have used , hope it help
YouTube - Banding Natural Hair to Stretch No Heat- Tutorial pt 1

 

[Imani]

Good evening ladies!

I haven't seen a thread here about banding, so I decided to start one myself!

In order to prevent damage to my ends and avoid a setback, I've recently decided to cut waaay back on heat usage but at the same time, I'd like to see more length from time to time.

I think that banding would be a nice alternative, not only for me but others as well. I don't have a lot of knowledge of how to do it. I mean, the idea seems fairly simple, but I still have questions! And unfortunately, I never seem to be able to find different techniques, and more importantly, pictures of results!! So, I decided to seek advice from my favorite hair related forum! I've listed my questions below.

1. Are there products that work better for banding than others?
2. How does the hair behave after it's stretched by banding?
3. Does it shrink back more quickly than it would with a blow-out?
4. Are there banding techniques that yield better results than others?
5. How do you keep the ends of your hair from being poofy?
6. Should it be done on wet, dry or damp hair?

So, if you've tried banding, are interested in trying it, have tips or want to ask questions about it, please post below!

And of course, PICS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!! But that's a given!

I'm going to experiment with it myself sometime this week and I'll definitely post before and after pics!

Girl u are always in my head! You are always starting threads about the same stuff I'm thinking about. lol

I've been wondering about banding as well. Trying to find non-heat options for stretching out my hair. I wear half wigs and even though I usually wear wigs with texture in them, they still aren't as kinky as my own hair, so I need a way to loosen up my leave out hair.

I've seen a few you tube videos on banding. But have never tried it. I'm going to do some experiments this wknd if I have time.

 

[SimJam]

Ive only tried banding on dry hair, it was aiight.
did it for a puff/fro, and my hair "reverted" pretty quickly

maybe I'll try on wet hair

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

I've been wondering about this and... well... it's ok. I need to figure out the technique. I have alot of odd textures of grass.

Ok here's where it gets weird. I tried banding on wet hair and once (not sure if I did it correctly and my roots looked like they were straightened and the rest of my hair was mediumly (don't judge me!!!) stretched.

 

[Crown]

Good evening ladies!

I haven't seen a thread here about banding, so I decided to start one myself!

In order to prevent damage to my ends and avoid a setback, I've recently decided to cut waaay back on heat usage but at the same time, I'd like to see more length from time to time.

I think that banding would be a nice alternative, not only for me but others as well. I don't have a lot of knowledge of how to do it. I mean, the idea seems fairly simple, but I still have questions! And unfortunately, I never seem to be able to find different techniques, and more importantly, pictures of results!! So, I decided to seek advice from my favorite hair related forum! I've listed my questions below.

1. Are there products that work better for banding than others?
2. How does the hair behave after it's stretched by banding?
3. Does it shrink back more quickly than it would with a blow-out?
4. Are there banding techniques that yield better results than others?
5. How do you keep the ends of your hair from being poofy?
6. Should it be done on wet, dry or damp hair?

So, if you've tried banding, are interested in trying it, have tips or want to ask questions about it, please post below!

And of course, PICS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!! But that's a given!

I'm going to experiment with it myself sometime this week and I'll definitely post before and after pics!

Banding-out is a great style by itself (a wavy style), and a good way to stretch the hair. I loved to do it (I am in twists now and for a long time).
There is a thread about banding :
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/hair-care-tips-product-review-discussion/254587-do-you-band-your-hair-benefits-banding.html

1. Are there products that work better for banding than others? I think so:
If I put coconut oil or another oil, I have less waves. If I use shea butter, castor oil… I have beautiful waves.

2. How does the hair behave after it's stretched by banding?
I have very fine hair, so my wavy style is only for 2, maybe 3 days.

3. Does it shrink back more quickly than it would with a blow-out?
I don’t blow dry, but I can say that the hair stays soft and smooth and don’t shrink so much or quickly with this method, but after 2-3 days the wavy pattern is

4. Are there banding techniques that yield better results than others? I think so.
If you use one band in one place, and another one in one place… your hair will be more poofy.
If you use a long elastic, you will have less wave pattern.
Use one ponytail holder, but move it along the length of your hair by equal distance. Add another one at the same distance and continue.

5. How do you keep the ends of your hair from being poofy?
I roller set my end with a small roller. And before bed, I change the roller for a barrette.

6. Should it be done on wet, dry or damp hair?
Wet hair : deeper waves.
Dry hair : stretched hair (unless you are using moist ponytail holders to revamp your style).

I think, if you are not in braids/twists, banding is THE way to go for a natural (better than roller set especially if you have fine hair, at least for my type of hair : fine and dense and mostly type 4 but with other textures).
Let me try to post some pics...

ETA : When you are banding out with this technique, it's better to start with the top of the rubber band (no damage).

 

[Crown]

Banding

Bedtime

 

[Crown]

Banding out

Second day

 

[lovely_locks]

How nice! I have never heard of banding. I can't wait till my hair is long enough to band

 

[iri9109]

crown it looks like a braidout! pretty!...i might try this one day since my hair would probably just unravel if i braided it...when i banded i only did like 4 or 5 sections so the pattern i got wasnt as defined, just stretched out.

 

[bride91501]

@crown- your hair and result are gorgeous!

I'd like to start banding to stretch my hair, especially in the winter. Do you have pics of your shrunken hair? My hair shrinks about 70-80%; I'm just wondering if banding will make a real difference with hair that has as much shrinkage as mine.

 

[darlingdiva]

1. Are there products that work better for banding than others?
I don’t know. I just usually twist my hair with product (lately it’s been Sweet Buttah-a creamy moisturizer) and then I band my hair.

2. How does the hair behave after it's stretched by banding?
I’m not sure what you mean by this question. It behaves fine, I guess. It does have a crinkly, crimped look to it that I like after I remove the bands.

3. Does it shrink back more quickly than it would with a blow-out?
No. I band nightly with ouchless elastic bands and it stays stretched.

4. Are there banding techniques that yield better results than others?
I am not sure because I use one technique (band with ouchless elastic bands after coating them in oil). Coating the bands in oil is VERY important for my hair. I’ve had too many close calls with the ouchless bands where my hair was wrapped around them when I didn’t coat the bands in oil. I usually use two to three bands to make sure that all of my hair (except for my ends) is banded.

5. How do you keep the ends of your hair from being poofy?
I’ve been moisturizing my ends with Crece Pelo leave-in & sealing them with sunflower oil. Then I put end papers on my ends & secure the end papers with a bobby pin.

6. Should it be done on wet, dry or damp hair?
I don’t know if it matters. I band on wet hair if I twist my hair while wet & I band on dry hair if I twist my hair while dry.

HTH!

 

[wavezncurlz]

. Are there products that work better for banding than others?
I don’t know. I band while it's wet with whatever product I happen to be using (usually a butter)
2. How does the hair behave after it's stretched by banding?
It's wavier and longer. Less shrinkage. I have also done banding to stretch out my dd's hair before using maxiglide. (this is a few years ago but her hair dried in the bands pretty straight and then I used low heat on the maxiglide)

3. Does it shrink back more quickly than it would with a blow-out?
Yes. Blowouts last at least a week for me. Bands don't last more than 2 days.

4. Are there banding techniques that yield better results than others?
not sure of techniques

5. How do you keep the ends of your hair from being poofy?
I twist the ends with product and sometimes put it in a little roller.

6. Should it be done on wet, dry or damp hair?
I've never done it dry -only wet.

Here's my banding experiment. I usually have poofy curly ponytails that don't hang so low.
Picture one - banded
Picture two - took out bands
Picture three - fluffed out

 

[Fhrizzball]

do you find banding stretches out your hair more than a braidout would for those who have tried both?

 

[Crown]

do you find banding stretches out your hair more than a braidout would for those who have tried both?

[FONT=&quot]Yes, definitely![/FONT]

@crown- your hair and result are gorgeous!

I'd like to start banding to stretch my hair, especially in the winter. Do you have pics of your shrunken hair? My hair shrinks about 70-80%; I'm just wondering if banding will make a real difference with hair that has as much shrinkage as mine.

Thank you!
[FONT=&quot]No sorry, I don’t have one. Just try it, bride91501![/FONT]

crown it looks like a braidout! pretty!...i might try this one day since my hair would probably just unravel if i braided it...when i banded i only did like 4 or 5 sections so the pattern i got wasnt as defined, just stretched out.

Thank you!
Not really, maybe I have more definition and curls with a braid out; but, unless I roller set the braids, my hair is a little more puffy and seems shorter. And anyway, after 2 days I have like spaghetti all over my head.
I don’t have those problems with bands.

[FONT=&quot]Try to roll your ends on small roller or barrettes and your braids will not unravel. [/FONT]

 

[Laela]

((( Crown )))) TY! the pix helped tremendously, esp w/t the roller set concept; my hair's long enough to band, I just never thought of banding.... nice job, great hair (as usual)!

 

[Sianna]

Thank you all so much for responding to this thread! I really appreciate all the feedback!

All of the pics were extremely helpful!

I think I'm gonna try banding this weekend! I'd do it tomorrow but I don't really like to experiment with my hair during the week. I can't afford to spend an hour in the morning fixing a my hair if it turns out... not so good.

Thanks ladies!

Girl u are always in my head! You are always starting threads about the same stuff I'm thinking about. lol

That's because I've secretly been reading your diary for the past couple of months...

 

[yamilee21]

Crown - Wow! Those are the most amazing results I have seen with banding. As others mentioned, it looks as good as a braidout/twistout.

Sianna - I have banded my hair for years (way before I knew there was a name for the technique), but all it does for me is stretch the hair out a bit so that there are somewhat fewer tangles. Banding for me removes curls, but leaves almost as much poof, , so I would never wear my hair out after banding, only in a braid or updo. I still get a lot of shrinkage with banding... my normal complete shrinkage ranges from shoulder to APL; with banding, it ranges from APL to BSB (stretched hair is tailbone-ish). For me, there is no comparison between a blowout and banding; reversion is pretty much instantaneous after banding if I don't do something else with the hair immediately.

 

[Fhrizzball]

Well inspired by this thread and Crown, I decided to try banding.

1. Are there products that work better for banding than others?
This is my first time but I used Curls Creme Burlee (smells divine!) and then shea butter on top. I also had a water spray on hand to keep it damp and workable.
2. How does the hair behave after it's stretched by banding?
Same as a braidout but less define and a tab more length in the back. It kinda gave a crimped pattern.
3. Does it shrink back more quickly than it would with a blow-out?
Well I haven't had a blow-out before but it behaves like a braidout and I'll just braid or band at night to help the style last
4. Are there banding techniques that yield better results than others?
I use one band at the root and then another going down the length
5. How do you keep the ends of your hair from being poofy?
I used small rollers
6. Should it be done on wet, dry or damp hair?
Well I plopped my hair and then but it in a big banded ponytail until it was slightly damp. If it's wet the products don't take for me and dry the product just sits on top.

Here's some pictures. I just threw it into a banana clip and bobby pinned the ends. Usually it looks much neater but I can't locate my scarf to flatten it down so it's pretty frizzy. Also my hair wet now looks like my wash and go dry which is the second picture in my signature. The other pictures after that is what a braidout usually looks on me.

 

[Curlykale]

I find that banding my braids or twists gives me elongated braidouts and twistouts. I either gather 3 or 4 of them at a time and I band, or I band every single braid or twist. It fights shrinkage. I especially like the result when I do it on dry hair, with very little water, some conditioner and a little oil, overnight.

I don't do twistouts but maybe if I did I would get the best results with banded, 3 strand twists. (very defined, yet elongated).

sorry, no pics as usual as I'm always exhausted and devastated when I do my hair. LOL

I also find that banding the ends is a good quick technique for those with very long hair who wash their hair in sections.

 

[ilah]

Ahhhhhh! Now this is something I can get into!!!
I'm waiting on my MJ's order but this looks like something I can try without it!
I had never heard of banding before today!
Crown - thank you for the pics ortherwise I would have never would have been able to figure it out!
Will be trying this on Sunday for next week!

 

[Theo]

my mom used to do this to my hair when i was a kid. only she used thread. i looked so stupid when it was tied up but my hair was very soft and silky when it came out.

a lot of people do it in Cameroon

 

[naheda72]

Banding outside of braided/twisted hair doesn't look as nice on my hair type on me, but on my daughter's hair(3c/4a), it came out super silky and wavy. When I did it, it was the prettiest her hair has ever looked styled. I did it on freshly washed and detangled hair, so still wet, but not sopping wet. I did not take a picture, but this thread reminded me about doing it again. Her hair was airdried overnight.

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

I use the African 'threading' method which is practically the same as banding. I just wrap thick black thread tightly around my hair - the smaller the 'winds' the straighter the hair. My mum taught me this year.

I do it after washing, moisturising and sealing my hair so it dries detangled and stretched. This and the fact that my hair is already in sections makes it easier for me to do my braids and twists.

 

[Janet']

Good thread, Sianna!!!

 

[Imani]

So I'm being lazy and not going to wash my hair until next week. But I can't wait to try this. Even tho I am 4b, my hair isn't really that thick,so Im thinking this will stretch out my hair and yield the results I am looking for.

 

[Platinum]

Great thread. Subscribing...