Re: former and current open-ended box braids weare
Hi Debyjay
When braids are newly done with human hair, I don't think there's a way around them unraveling a bit when you wash. But after a few washes and some wear, they do take the shape of the braid pattern and hold in better. Having natural 4A/B hair might also be a bonus for me. Also, I don't reach for the silkiest human hair extensions on the market. Wouldn't be anything close to my hair texture and I like the illusion a closer match gives of wearing my own hair alone.
I do have suggetions though that I hope might help, until you learn to re-do your own braids (if you don't already) so it doesn't matter if they come out:
(1) Ask to have the braids done all the way to the ends of the extensions. I know some people like the idea of just braiding to the end of their own hair and leaving the rest out. But personally, I think the neatest braids are those braided to the end; and even an upturn curl or slight curve to create a bob looks much neater to me when the ends are braided as best as possible. With new hair, the braids may not stay braided all the way, but I'd just keep redoing the ends whenever I am watching TV. In time, you hair does realize who's boss. And better some braiding towards the end, than none at all, I say.
(BTW Neatness isn't the only reason to braid to the end: The more the braided part, the better the hair holds and the less frizzy or tangled it is bound to get.)
(2) The other thing you can do (takes lots of patience) is put rubber bands at the end of your braids where the braided part ends, before washing. I say rubber thingies coz it's not your hair so anything will do. Just make sure they are tight so they don't fall off. Even several braids to one band will do, if you haven't the patience for doing each one. When you shampoo your hair, be very gentle and use a squeezing motion during the sudsing and the rinsing and when you apply conditioner. When you massage your scalp, avoiding pulling the hair but make sure your fingers are touching your scalp in between and at the base of your braids. I think not only will it keep your braids from getting untidy looking but I believe it ensures the cleaning and conditioning products reach inside the braids. (BTW, I am not economical when it comes to using my conditioner. The reason being I suspect this human hair alien on my head thieves some of the goodness that I'm trying to give exclusively to my hair so I make sure the supply is enough for all to share. To get an idea of how generous I am... I use enough so when I squeeze handfuls of my braids I get the squishy noise so I know each strand's getting some. But my generosity doesn't extend to where I'll donate some to the parts of the extensions beyond my hair. No siree
I'm not
that kind.
I always rinse very well, using the squeezing motion again. I love ACV rinses and as a final rinse, I will occasionally put a solution in a basin in the tub, submerge my head in it (partial headstand stance
) and give my scalp a wonderful massage in that cool heavenly spa.
Hope that helps.