Braids with extensions OR without ?

[workinprogress1]

Which has better retention ??? I can't decide what to do with my hair for upcoming semester. I think I saw a thread like this before when I just lurked but I can't seem to find it now.....
If I do extensions I am going to a braider that I have been to before. my biggest concern is retention .

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

I would say with. They last longer and protect your hair more, especially if you have hair prone to ssks. Just make sure you don't get them done too tight.

 

[workinprogress1]

I would say with. They last longer and protect your hair more, especially if you have hair prone to ssks. Just make sure you don't get them done too tight.

Austro-Afrikana was thinking that too . They last longer and protect hair more . But then I was thinking when I'm in the braids longer I won't deep condition as much and moisturizing through the fake hair doesn't seem as efficient . From your experience have you had better retention with extensions ? TIA

 

[LightEyedMami]

For me i would say WITH extensions, because without my hair is still prone to dryness, and i wear them for like 3 weeks....but in single braids i can go 5-7 weeks, Also with braid extensions its easier to wash with minimal frizz. As long as you watch your edges and moisterize you should be good to go

ETA: you are NOT talking about Micro-size braids are you?...because those aren't the ones i was speaking of, those things will snatch you bald in 2 shakes of a feather

 

[My Friend]

My braid extensions hold moisture or should I say take longer to dry.

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

workinprogress1 I had great retention with them; I used them a lot during my transition. Since I've stopped doing them as often my retention has slowed because i keep getting splits and don't know how to style my hair anymore. I am actually going to try and get back into braids for a while...

I used to worry about the deep conditioning thing too but there isn't really as much need to DC in braids as your hair isn't going through its usual wear and tear and you are moisturising it everyday. I always find that my hair is very soft after taking them out.

Btw, from experience larger sections (half inch to an inch square) with braids the size of a pencil work better than smaller sections and braids.

 

[workinprogress1]

For me i would say WITH extensions, because without my hair is still prone to dryness, and i wear them for like 3 weeks....but in single braids i can go 5-7 weeks, Also with braid extensions its easier to wash with minimal frizz. As long as you watch your edges and moisterize you should be good to go

ETA: you are NOT talking about Micro-size braids are you?...because those aren't the ones i was speaking of, those things will snatch you bald in 2 shakes of a feather

LightEyedMami no mam . I am not talking about micros. You don't think the extensions block moisture from your hair ?

 

[workinprogress1]

My braid extensions hold moisture or should I say take longer to dry.

Can the extension hair taking longer to dry really be directly correlated to the natural hair being moisturized ?

 

[workinprogress1]

I have had good retention in the past with extension braids. My entire freshman year of college (last year) I wore them and it made transitioning easy . After this summer of doing my own natural protective styles and deep conditioning every week or so, I am going to miss my reggie. My transitioning hair has spent more time in extensions than it has without .

 

[workinprogress1]

workinprogress1 I had great retention with them; I used them a lot during my transition. Since I've stopped doing them as often my retention has slowed because i keep getting splits and don't know how to style my hair anymore. I am actually going to try and get back into braids for a while...

I used to worry about the deep conditioning thing too but there isn't really as much need to DC in braids as your hair isn't going through its usual wear and tear and you are moisturising it everyday. I always find that my hair is very soft after taking them out.

Btw, from experience larger sections (half inch to an inch square) with braids the size of a pencil work better than smaller sections and braids.

Wow. I was afraid of not knowing how to style my hair after I transitioned with braid extensions and a sew in but then it turned out okay after I discovered deep conditioning with AO HSR and fell in love with my hair. How have you been wearing your hair?

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

Wow. I was afraid of not knowing how to style my hair after I transitioned with braid extensions and a sew in but then it turned out okay after I discovered deep conditioning with AO HSR and fell in love with my hair. How have you been wearing your hair?

I used to always wear donut buns as I could keep them in for a week without redoing, but now my hair is too long for the donut and I can't make a bun last on my hair. I also always have to use gel as my hair is so frizzy in the front, which I've had enough of now. I can't do twists because my hair is too fine so braids with extensions are what I turn to when I've had enough of my hair and don't know what to do with it anymore.

 

[LightEyedMami]

@LightEyedMami no mam . I am not talking about micros. You don't think the extensions block moisture from your hair ?

Nope, my hair feels better after the extentions because of the moisterizing and oiling of my scalp.