Microbraid question...

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

I need advice from my sisters.

I want to get microbraids that are long enough to encase the entire length of my hair. I'm doing summer school and hope to keep them in for two months. My hair is below my shoulders about apl right now. I'm allergic to some synthetics and they're really drying for my hair. I'd love to find reasonably priced human hair long enough to braid my own hair with, either wavy or straight.

All the hurr divas help a sista out!

 

[nychaelasymone]

please get cornrows.....those things are murder on your hair.

 

[HoneyDew]

Last summer I got them for 2 rounds of braids and my hair was fine. I did not get the really small ones though. They were medium small. Those really micro ones are bad news!

But I got touchups (braids removed and rebraided) around the edges every 2 weeks. After 6 weeks, I removed them by cutting the ends and saturating the braids with CON ultra moisturizing. Then I "washed" them out. They just slipped off nicely, instead of me manipulating my hair too much.

I used indian remy double-drawn from indianhairs.com. I ordered from their colored hair so that I could get 1b to match my hair. That hair is hard to seal so she tied the ends for one set. I had her use glue for the other set (takes trust for that!!! I would only let one person in the shop do that!!!)

I don't think I would get them for one than one or two rounds of braids though. Even with TLC, they can do damage to your edges.

Everything is not for everyone. I got cornrows once in my life and I never will again because they were way to tight around my edges. OUCH!!

 

[ayoung]

Micros can be pretty bad on your hair--but you have a nice lenght of your own.

Maybe you would get your own hair 'box' braided etc...and get them medium/pencil size. That would probably be really cute.....

 

[HoneyDew]

I just reread your post. With the length of your hair I wold be afaid to do it. It would take too long and I think that the longer the hair the worse smaller braids can be.

But, Here is a picture of mine and my hair was fine. Bu my hair was much shorter than yours.

But, like I said the way I removed them eliminated the need to tug and pull. I just let the water and shampoo slip them loose.

I wanted the look of the smaller braids and I enjoyed it. I was able to put it up and wear different styles. It was fun. But I would not wear them all the time and for extended periods of time.

Also, I made them use bigger sections of my hair but then braid it smaller.

The lady that has the braid video (crown glory method) gave me that idea. She mentions in the video that you can take bigger sections of your own hair and then make the braid itself smaller.

Still with your length, I would not like it.

 

[locfreeme]

Have you tried treating the synthetic hair first, like described on the C&G website? The chemicals on the synthetic hair might be what's irritating you, not the hair itself. I'm getting my hair braided this weekend and I'm going to try it.

Here's the info from the site:

REMOVING THE ALKALINE BASE[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]
You have an option to take the alkaline base off the Kanekalon hair by soaking the extended hair in vinegar and water. A sink full of water, 1 cup of regular vinegar. Soak 15 minutes, rinse, air dry. Spray braid spray on this hair piece by piece when apply to your hair. The alkaline base irritate the scalp in some.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]​

 

[Lotus]

Oh my goodness... please don't do it!
My hair is APL +/-. I had micros (that I didnt ask for - long story) last year. What did I get for $500's? Ruined hair . Every time I look at my holiday pictures... I get po'd. Maybe it was the braider, the size... I don't know... but I wouldn't chance it.

 

[BSweet]

please get cornrows.....those things are murder on your hair.

I second that ..i will be in cornrows all summer

 

[naptrl]

please get cornrows.....those things are murder on your hair.

I disagree. I have close to bra-strap length hair and I get micros all the time. They've never messed up my hair, and in fact that's how I normally grow my hair out. I'll look at what type of hair I use...I can't remember.

 

[Healthb4Length]

Micros are difficult, only a small percentage of people don't suffer adverse affects from these. If you really want to get the micro look then you should try a micro braid weave like here http://AAABraids.com, that way you can get the look without the time constraints and the damage.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

Thanks for the advice! I knew I could rely on muh sistas. I might opt for box braids. I've had micros before and my hair grew like wildfire. I was just thinking that in a few weeks I'm going to be packing to move and with midterms coming up I knew I needed to do something. I tried cornrows and they hurt.... and thinned out my edges. (they were braided waaaaaaaaaay too tight though).

I have more length now than what's in my profile. I want to update in June or July. My sister was putting my hair in two braids and upon combing she stopped and went "YOUR HAIR IS GROWING!! IT'S DOWN TO THERE!" and she put her hand between my shoulders. yay! hehe

 

[HoneyDew]

Thanks for the advice! I knew I could rely on muh sistas. I might opt for box braids. I've had micros before and my hair grew like wildfire. I was just thinking that in a few weeks I'm going to be packing to move and with midterms coming up I knew I needed to do something. I tried cornrows and they hurt.... and thinned out my edges. (they were braided waaaaaaaaaay too tight though).

Box braids are good. You could even get them a little smaller but have them use more of your hair in each part so it does not weigh down so much on your hair.

I agree about the cornrows. I had them once for about 2 weeks last year and I could tell a difference in my hair line after just that one time. The braids, the smaller and bigger ones were better. Maybe if I had not gotten the cornrows all the way back or something, but I will never get them again.