Braids 101 - GET READY FOR SUMMER!!!

[Lucky's Mom]

Hey folks - I posted this on 'another hair forum' and somehow - it dissappeared..... And I was accused of deleting it....

anyways - thought it would help out on LHCF........



Happy Braiding!!!!!!!

How to do Braids/ braiding tutorials:

http://www.growafrohairlong.com

http://www.braidsbybreslin.com

www.doctoredlocks.com

Tips for great braids
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=70318


What type of hair to use/ Hair Reviews
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=62285

Pros and cons of Braids
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=29499&KW=


How do you tie off the ends?
http://www.texastandi.unt.edu/curriculum/lessons/cosmetology/microbraid/microbraid.pdf

Prepping hair before braiding - This is my method - modified a bit from www.growafrohairlong.com



BRAIDING HAIR PREPARATION

A bit of Information:

Most of the Human Hair that we can find in the local BSS - has a silicone wash to keep it from tangling....

Remy hair may be the exception.......

So this is what I do..Apply Leave ins.

Most of the "silky, shiny," stuff - Conditioners, and shine products are just that... silicone based, so these will work well on BSS hair.....

I make sure that I spray my Extension/Braiding hair with any Silicone product ( cause they are pretty much all the same)

I tend not to use those products on my OWN hair( unless I flat iron my hair)... but on the extention hair only....

Most commercial conditioners have a slip-type silicone in them... NOT all.... but many of them...
So - since the hair is DEAD and won't last too long anyway.... add your own silicone! This will provide few tangles, and will soften your hair whilst braiding

 

[Lucky's Mom]

SYNTHETIC HAIR PREP (Kanekalon, Toyokolon, Pro 10, etc.)


1. Add a small amount (1/4 cup) of vinegar & a Bit of Leave in ) to a large tub of Hot tap water(Not boiling). soak it for 10 minutes

2. Rinse with cold water. Squeeze out the excess.

3. While still wet, add a clear leave in, pouring it directly on the hair and down the shaft.

4. I use any silicone product ( exept Biosilk - too much alcohol for me) and By hand I rub it down the hair, or I spray a spray a silicone product on the hair. ( Suggested: Frizz ease, Spray & Shine, Sebastian, Ion, etc )

5. Hang to dry. The Hair should be dry within 12 to 24 hours.

Moisturizers and leave ins to use/ Care for your hair after Braiding
Any excelletne moisturizing spray will do!!!!

Tips for Kanekalon Hair
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=33234&KW=

Tips for Pro10 Hair
http://www.ultimahair.com/downloads/ultimacareguide.pdf
Removing Braids
http://growafrohairlong.com/takingoutplaits.html

Have a great summer!

 

[Lucky's Mom]

HUMAN hair PREP:

1. Wash with Dr. Bronner's Castille soap - gentle... in warm water, in a kitchen tub.. I add a squirt of condish ( African Pride leave in, or clear leave in, Creme of Nature Condish ) to the water... This step also allows for any dyes on the hair to wash away, and not irritate your scalp.
2. Rinse with cold water. Squeeze out the excess.
3. While still wet, add a clear leave in(African Pride, 911, Africa's best, etc), pouring it directly on the hair and down the shaft. (DO NOT USE INFUSIUM, IMO - it is too strong....)
4. I use any silicone product ( except Biosilk - too much alcohol for me.... others include frizzease, sebatians, or any other glossing product) and By hand I rub it down the hair,
or: spray a silicone product on the hair. ( Suggested: Frizz ease, Spray & Shine, Sebastian, etc same as above)
5. Hang to dry.

Softer, more manageable hair....there are fewer tangles, and the hair issoft and more manageable.

 

[PaperClip]

Just curious: should this process be done with synthetic half wigs as well or just for braiding hair?

Thanks for answering my question.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Just curious: should this process be done with synthetic half wigs as well or just for braiding hair?

Thanks for answering my question.

Not sure - But I have dunked my hair pieces into a vinegar bath - and they have been quite soft.

 

[PaperClip]

Not sure - But I have dunked my hair pieces into a vinegar bath - and they have been quite soft.

Ok...good deal... thank you!

 

[Platinum]

This is great info! Thank you for sharing! Subscribing...

 

[vegasQT]

I never new you needed to wash the hair first. Why is that? Chemicals?

 

[LongHairDreams]

I never new you needed to wash the hair first. Why is that? Chemicals?

I want to know this too. Should it be done on all synthetic hair?

 

[Nayeli]

Thanks a million for this info SJ. I will definitely be needing it this summer. Don't be surprised if you get a pm or two from me also.

 

[Forever in Bloom]

I enjoy the Braids by Breslin dvds. I am a tad slow when it comes to braiding (i.e. hand positioning), but now I know how to do a proper cornrow and plan to do some kinky twists 'cause Marquetta breaks down everything so well. My brothers are letting me practice on their hair (since they both have more hair than I do) Wish me luck!

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I want to know this too. Should it be done on all synthetic hair?

I do it because of dye in the hair... that is just my preference!!!! I don't want that dye in my hair....

 

[*Luscious*Locked*Doc]

Yay! Just in time for my foray back into braids....it's going to be getting to darn hot for this wig in the summer! Thanks a bunch!

 

[ToyToy]

I do it because of dye in the hair... that is just my preference!!!! I don't want that dye in my hair....

Also, regarding synthetic extensions, the ACV lifts the alkaline base off the hair (after ten minutes of soaking, you will see a white film at the surface of the water). This has helped me tremendously as my scalp (and all-over skin) is extremely sensitive, and I couldn't use extensions before because they would itch horribly. Since soaking the extensions in hot water and ACV, I haven't had this problem anymore and can now where synthetic extensions (which I prefer to human hair).

 

[LongHairDreams]

I do it because of dye in the hair... that is just my preference!!!! I don't want that dye in my hair....

Also, regarding synthetic extensions, the ACV lifts the alkaline base off the hair (after ten minutes of soaking, you will see a white film at the surface of the water). This has helped me tremendously as my scalp (and all-over skin) is extremely sensitive, and I couldn't use extensions before because they would itch horribly. Since soaking the extensions in hot water and ACV, I haven't had this problem anymore and can now where synthetic extensions (which I prefer to human hair).

Thanks ladies, I understand now. I was also wondering if the coating on the hair would somehow strip your own hair or cause some kind of friction, so taking that off would eliminate that. So its mainly for irritation.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Is anyone Braiding for the summer?

 

[LongHairDreams]

Is anyone Braiding for the summer?

I want to for part of the summer at least. Im practicing because I want to put in my own twists. I bought some Afro Kinky hair so my naps will blend in.

 

[chaitea]

Is anyone Braiding for the summer?

Yes, I am DEFINITELY braiding for the summer. The BEST for heat!

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Anyone else braiding up??????????

 

[lilsparkle825]

Anyone else braiding up??????????

i want to, i just don't know what to get done. micros seem like they would be too harsh on my recovering hairline...kinky twists seem up my alley but i'm not paying all that money for something i know how to do on my sister's hair. i just have to find the right type/shade of hair for me cause her hair is black and i use yarn for hers. box braids maybe?

sorta OT: i have the braids by breslin DVD too and i don't like it as much. it taught me how to do kinky twists but i got the compilation and i can't do anything with the other tutorials. if anyone wants to buy it they can PM me.

 

[MissJ]

Anyone else braiding up??????????

I wish I knew how!

 

[Forever in Bloom]

I'm getting braided up on June 21st!!

 

[SexySin985]

Is anyone Braiding for the summer?

Yes I am. I get braids every year around this time.

I am gonna get some twist and keep them in for a year.

I plan on redoing my hair every 2 months alternating between the front and back half of my hair.

I am gonna get it done next week Thursday.

 

[winnettag]

I'm definitely braiding or twisting. It's simple and easy and I can go swimming. Plus I won't be obsessing over how fast it's growing.

 

[Ivonnovi]

I am "twisting" up for the summer this weekend.

I posted the following thread asking for cornrow patterns for when I install the twists.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=241873

It also contains a link to a site that shows several variations of braids/twist/locs.

 

[StarFish106]

I braided my hair on Memorial day weekend and already i need to redo my front to keep the fuzzy's down. I am trying to keep them in until Sept with a redo in there somewhere. I am using parts of the C&G method (washed the braids, spraying the braids but not too much near the root) I have gotten compliments on my braids (more from clear folks ). I wash 1x a week but if it's hot out I may run some h2o through my head. (i will this weekend, 92 degrees for 4 days o my!)

For those who would normally cowash do you cowash w/ your braids? How do you do that? I am afraid of getting a lot of buildup so I want to see how others do it.

Gracias

 

[ToyToy]

I'm getting braided this Saturday. I've been keeping my hair in braids since March, and I'm loving it!!! My hair is thriving from them!!

 

[DaRealist]

I'm thinking about braiding my hair for the summer.

Thanks for all the tips and the rinsing the hair prior to use. That's one reason why I stopped using synthetic hair was due to the irritation it would cause to my scalp.

 

[GodsPromises]

I have had my twist in for about 3 months. Getting ready to get them redone and I too plan on keeping them in for a year.

Yes I am. I get braids every year around this time.

I am gonna get some twist and keep them in for a year.

I plan on redoing my hair every 2 months alternating between the front and back half of my hair.

I am gonna get it done next week Thursday.

 

[baddison]

Anyone else braiding up??????????

Yup! I joined the C & G challenge here on May 4th....been doing my own cornbraids w/extensions. Its a great low maint summer style....and I'm loving it!