There are quite a few varieties with grades of weaves, and literally hundreds of brands for every grade.  The secret to choosing a good weave (even brand) is to know which one will blend best with your hair.

Virgin hair (pure and unprocessed) is the most popular grade since it’s the most flexible. A person wearing this hair extension can treat just the same way they treat their hair. You can add color to it, curl or straighten it using thermal heat gadgets and even install it multiple times.

African American women have hairs of all textures. Fortunately, there is an equally wide variety of types and textures and weaves and every woman can get one that perfectly suits their texture.

The top five popular textures for hair weaves are: Brazilian, Eurasian hair, Malaysian, Indian and Peruvian. Each of these come in a variety of wave pattern that includes straight, tight curly, deep wave, and wavy.

1. Brazilian Hair

 Brazilian hair is a perfect texture for many black women. It’s a thick and very full, natural looking hair that also feels great. This texture option is also the easiest to manage for many women of color.

2. Eurasian Hair

This is the hair texture for people of mixed Asian and European descent. Like Brazilian hair, this texture is also impressively thick, smooth and silky. It’s ideal for wearing with natural hair that has been relaxed.

3. Malaysian Hair

Ladies, if your hair has a very fine, silky texture or if it’s relaxed this hair weave might be what you’re looking for. This hair has its own luster and is quite easy to manage. Virgin Malaysian extensions are vibrant and very soft and oh how it look perfect when flat ironed.

4. Indian Hair

Indian virgin hair is the thickest texture of them all. This hair is very natural and as a result blends well with most natural women. Indian hair also comes in many style choices including tight curly, wavy, and straight.

5. Peruvian Hair

African American women love this hair texture because it’s multi-purpose. It blends well with medium and coarse Caucasian hair and natural or relaxed African American hair texture. Peruvian virgin hair flows beautifully, is lightweight and luxurious. It’s an amalgam of relaxed and coarse texture that’s ridiculously easy to manage.

Quick Steps for Managing Virgin Weave

Virgin weave is basically the easiest hair extension to manage. Here are quick pointers for how to keep your hair looking and feeling fresh for longer.

∙         Wash your hair regularly with a shampoo. The best shampoo for this hair type is one that’s sulfate free and you should follow this with a moisturizing conditioner.

∙         After washing use a wide-tooth comb and a paddle brush to detangle it.

∙         Avoid using excess hair products and oil on your weave.

∙         Don’t use any chemicals on your hair unless advised by a professional.

A weave is the go to for most ladies who’re too busy to make a salon appointment every week but still want to look great and have natural healthy hair. This hairstyle will dip into your account by a number, depending on the brand and hairpiece of choice.

100% human hairs are the most expensive (several thousand rands) and can last you up to 4 months with good care. For women on a budget, you can opt for synthetic weaves which are more affordable and easier to care for as long as you have TLC. This hairpiece will last you two to three months. Another option for hair weave is an extension attached to your hair using glue. You should only wear this for a maximum of two weeks.

So how do you ensure you get the most out of your weave?

Wash your hair one a week using the same procedure like with natural hair

1. Like when washing hair without weave, lather shampoo onto your scalp and wash it off with warm water. Take care not to run the cornrows if you have a sewn-in weave as this can cause your weave to loosen and separate from your natural hair.
2. Apply a good mount of leave-in conditioner and spread it to every strand of the hair by combing with a brush or wide-toothed comb. After detangling the hair sit under a drier (medium heat setting) for at least one hour to allow your extensions and cornrows to dry. It’s important that your hair is thoroughly dry to prevent growth of mold or the sickening smell of mildew.

Avoid Neglecting Your Scalp and Hair Even When Your Extensions Are In Good Shape

3. Don’t be too concerned about how your hair looks you forget to care for your scalp and natural hair. Work some olive, jojoba, castor or coconut oil onto your scalp to moisturize it. This will calm any itchiness you have since itchiness results from a dry scalp. For glue extensions you can use a cream in place of the oils mentioned.
4. If after washing and sitting under a drier you still feel that your hair is damp you can use a blow drier under low heat to dry it further. Avoid sleeping with a damp hair at all cost as this will encourage matting.
5. For women who sweat either from a work-out or simply walking through the day, a spritz antiseptic spray can be a good investment as this will keep bacteria at bay.
6. Use a satin pillowcase or cover your head with a silk scarf when going to bed. This will protect your hairline from breaking and prevent tangling of your weave.

 

Your Synthetic Hair Should Not Be Styled the Same Way as Your Human Hair

7. The most popular weaves are made of synthetic hair and these come in a variety of textures, lengths and colors. They are more sensitive to heat so avoid using thermal tools like curlers and irons as these will burn the hair. You will also find more products for this weave but using only a small amount of lotion will help add a subtle shine and maintain the curls on your hair.

Human hair weaves are more versatile as you can manage it the same way you do your natural hair. You can use thermal tools to straighten or curl them and can oil the hair with the same products you would usually use for your natural hair.

 

Definitions:

A weave is a hair extension that is sewn on hair to add volume and length to the hair. It can be made from human hair, synthetic fiber or animal hair. On the other hand, a wig is a cap made of synthetic fiber, animal hair or human hair and can be worn for fashion or other reasons like religious observance and cultural tradition.

One of the most interesting facts about the hair industry is that while there are new brands, styles or designs that make their debut into the market every season, there are also styles that never go out of fashion. Wigs and weaves are a good example of hair products that have stood the test of time, and for generation after generation have helped women enhance their beauty.

Quick Facts:

Wigs have been around from the times of ancient Egypt when the Egyptian’s wore them to cover their shaved heads from the torture of the scotching sun. The abbreviation wig (from periwig) however only became a term in 1675 when the word periwig was first introduced into the English language. Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians and Assyrians also have a history of covering their head with wigs.

They key thing about weaves is that they are an extension and therefore become a part of the hair either by being bonded or sewn into the hair. Hair brands such as human hair can change a person’s look drastically without appearing unrealistic. The techniques for installing weaves are also more advanced and therefore not just simply wearing them like with wigs.

Wigs have for years been a top preference for people looking to cover up baldness perhaps resulting as a side effect of a medical treatment like chemotherapy or one that has developed naturally. They are less intrusive and a more affordable option when compared to other methods of hair replacement such as weaves or medical therapies.

So basically wigs are hair coverings that can be worn and removed as needed. They are cheaper than weaves which are used for fashion and aesthetic and appeal, and which require technical know-how to install. Weaves can be worn for a few weeks to several months when cared for properly.

 

 

 

Is a weave an extension or all extensions are weaves? Women have debated over these two terms for a very long time and today we end this debate.

Defining Weaves

A weave is defined as a hairpiece made from synthetic or human hair and that is installed into someone’s hair to give it more volume or increase length. Weaves are hair extensions specifically installed on ahead that’s completely braided.

After natural hair has been braided the weave is sewn into the braids from end to end using a needle. This is another reason weaves are also known as sewn-in hair extensions.

You can wear a good synthetic weave for up to eight weeks, and a human hair weave for even 4 months. If you’re wearing your weave longer, it’s recommended that you take good care of it. Wash your human hair weave like you would your own head of hair.

Women are fond of weaves for several reasons. First, no chemicals are added to weaves during their manufacture and they require no glue to attach to your natural hair. They also afford women the freedom to change their hair color without exposing their natural hair to any chemicals or dyes. Best of all, weaves give your hair a break and therefore help your natural hair thicken and lengthen.

Disadvantage of Weave

If care is not taken during the installation of weave, it can be too tight. This will not only cause your scalp to be sore, it can also cause your headache.

Defining Extensions

Hair extensions are attached to one’s natural hair using clip-ons, a tape, adhesive or micro links. They can be made from human hair or synthetic material and are used to make hair appear fuller or longer.

As opposed to weaves that sewn-in to braided hair, extensions are added to the hair strand by strand. To make the hair look as natural as possible, sometimes as many as 300 extensions can be applied to a person’s hair. This application is quite laborious and time consuming and because of this, these extensions are the most expensive weaves.

Advantages of Extensions

They make a woman’s short hair look longer and fuller, and they also add volume to thinning hair.

Disadvantage of Extensions

They are sometimes attached to the natural hair using glue and removing this can be quite painful, even damaging to your hair.

Recap:

1. All extensions are not weaves, but all weaves are hair extensions.
2. Both extensions and weaves are universal.
3. Extensions are applied to the hair strand-by-strand using adhesives or glue but for weaves the whole head is braided and the extension sewn-in using a needle.

 

It’s no secret that every woman loves to look their best, and it starts with the hair. For many of us, the versatility that weaves offer motivate us to splurge on new installs or extensions we hope will be worth the money.

A good weave won’t just boost your beauty as a woman, it will also protect your hair if you can take good care of both the weave and the hair blow. Here’s how to…

#1. Less Is More with Weaves and Products

For some reason, there are women who think drenching their weave in products is a good thing. It’s not! Using too many products will only leave your head with a build-up of dirt and your strands greasy and stringy. Apply a pint size amount of natural oil and work it into your scalp if you’re wearing a weave made of human hair. For synthetic weaves or extensions avoid using oils as much as possible.

#2. Shampoo Regularly

You probably know it’s important to prepare your hair and scalp before you install a weave. But did you know you should also wash your extension while it’s on your head?

The accumulation of dirt and oil below your hair causes hair damage. Treat your weave like you would your natural hair. It’s okay to only wash it with a conditioner, but it will be even better for your hair if you wash with a clarifying shampoo one or twice as this will get rid of all the debris that buildup from the products you use in styling the extension. If you wash weekly, swap between co-washing and using a regular shampoo so that you don’t strip your hair of all the oils that keep it from breaking.

#3. Condition Your Hair

Don’t skimp on the conditioner especially if your weave has curly tresses. If you only used a clarifying shampoo, then conditioning will help restore moisture in your hair. Conditioning also helps in defining any curl patterns in your weave and detangles it so it maintains a healthy appearance.

#4. Dry Properly

Okay so this is the thing, a not-so dry hair attracts mold and the terrible mildew smell that might accompany it. The molding will destroy your hair in the long run, but before that everyone will turn their nose when your approach. To be safe, sit under a dryer for not less than one hour so that both your hair and weave are dried properly.

#5. Protect Your Hair with a Satin Scarf

If you don’t already, then include hair care as part of your night routine. The best way to do this is to over your hair with a satin scarf and then sleep on a pillow. Some ladies find covering the hair at night very uncomfortable but this can help maintain a laid, silky and soft texture of your tresses and keep your hair from losing moisture.

#6. Braid Curly Hair at Night

For women with curly tresses, you must go an extra step in your nighttime routine to maintain the patterns on the curls. Divide your hair in small sizes and braid them. You can then use a satin scarf to cover the hair before you sleep.

#7. Minimize Heat

I know we talked about drying your hair properly after washing, but please don’t overdo this. We’ve seen ladies with straight who used a blow drier on their hair and ended up with a burnt leave out that wouldn’t match the silky extensions. A weave should afford a break for your natural hair. Doobie wrap your straight extensions and use bobby pins or pin curls if you choose a voluminous curls extension.

#8. Use a Moisturizer for Your Leave Out

This tip is especially important to those with a leave out. Massage a little olive oil (yes from your kitchen) into your edges, temples, nape and crown at least once a day. This will help maintain good health for your hair.

#9. Maintain Smooth Edges

A good hair pomade can help keep your edges laid and leave your hair with a shiny finish. Some people prefer to use gel for the untamed or fly-away edges so it all depends with your taste. We advise against products with alcohol as these can dry out your hair.

#10. Be Best Friends with Your Hair Stylist

With a weave, you’re better off doing it right than be sorry. For most ladies a weave is supposed to save your money and salon visits as you can care for it on your own. While this is true, you want a professional to help you care for the hair underneath and also just make your leave pop!

#11. Let Your Hair Breath

The biggest mistake that some women make is wearing their weaves or hair extensions for too long. We don’t recommend wearing your weave for over 6 weeks at a time even if they still appear polished. You should remove it so you can deep condition your hair and clean your scalp properly.

And about taking out your weave or extensions, it’s best that you get this done at a salon as some extensions are secured to your head using bonding glue. You need the glue removed carefully so that any chemicals in it don’t reach your scalp and all the glue is removed to prevent any hair loss.

Putting on a weave should be a beautiful thing even after it has been removed. Treat your weave and your hair right and it will thank you with beautiful growth results.