Braids and hair types

Here are some tips about braids and hair types.

Long hair

When you measure the threads to braid on very long hair, you will find that the threads that you cut are too long to handle easily. Beyond a certain length (depending on the length of your arms) the threads are so long that it takes a huge effort to wrap them around the hair. They will also tend to tangle very easily.

If you find this happening, cut your entire bundle of threads in half. Start braiding with one set of the threads, and add the others in gradually as you need them.

It helps to tie the rest of the hair back well out of the way while you braid, as otherwise the braids and hair get tangled, and you can end up wrapping hairs around with the threads. This makes it almost impossible to remove the braid without cutting it out.

You can have 3 or 4 beads on the end of a long braid and it will still look good.

Short hair

If you make a braid on hair shorter than about 8cm, the braid is likely to slip off the hair unless you weave an extension in first.

Shorter than 3-4cm and it gets very difficult to weave the extension thread in.

Cut your threads for a short braid slightly longer than usual, otherwise you won't have enough of any one colour to make a block.

A very short braid is better with a maximum of 2 beads, and sometimes without beads as the beads can become uncomfortable to sleep on.

Short braids have less weight and may tend to stick out a little for the first day or two until they have relaxed a bit. Washing them can help relax them.

Layered hair

If you braid onto layered hair, the braid may need to extend beyond the hair it is fixed on to look right.

In this case, measure the threads according to the length you want the finished braid to be, rather than the length of the hair you are braiding on.

Curly hair

When you braid on very curly hair, it is particularly important to plait the hair first. As with braids and hair that is very long, take special care to clip the rest of the hair out of the way otherwise the braids and hair can easily get tangled.

Because the braid straightens the hair inside it, the braid will appear longer than the hair, unless you trim the hair you are braiding on.

Even if you are careful when you make the braid - fine, curly hair tends to get wrapped around the braid over time. This can make it difficult to remove the braid without cutting out the braid and hair at the top.

Fine hair

You need to use less hair inside the braid if the hair is very fine. A thick braid in fine hair looks wrong, and to make a thick braid you will have to gather the hair from a large area of the head.

A thick, heavy braid on fine hair may be more likely to damage the hair roots.

Thick hair

On thicker hair, you can make a slightly thicker braid. A very thin braid can get lost, especially on thick, curly hair.

If you are making a thicker braid, you will use more thread, so be prepared to add more thread in part way down if you need to.

If you make the braid too thick, you won't be able to get beads on the end.

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