Different Hair Weave Techniques

For many years, women have accentuated their style and added to their natural beauty with hair extensions. Stars and celebrities have publicly embraced hair weaves, going from elegant short styles to messy, beautifully flowing long tresses during the same event. As it is with any individual hairstyle, the way a woman chooses to attach the hair extension is part of how she expresses herself.

Hair Types

Finding the right type of hair weave can be a daunting task. To choose the right weave, you need to know the weaving technique that will be used, the style that is desired and the budget you are working with. Of the two categories of hair weaves, human hair is much more expensive than synthetic hair. When it comes to hair weaves, the saying "you get what you pay for" rings true.

Human hair is more authentic and flexible than synthetic hair. Human hair can be cut and styled with regular styling tools. Synthetic hair gets frizzy when it is cut and loses its shape. It also burns and melts when exposed to direct heat, so curling or flat-ironing the hair is definitely out.

Both synthetic and human hair come on wefts or in single-stranded bulks. Weft hair can either be braided or bonded. Single-stranded hair can be bonded, braided or infused.

Hair also comes in different textures; it can be straight or curly. Of the straight textures, there are Remi, yaki and silky. There are wavy, kinky and several definitions of curl for curly hair textures.

Hair Weave Techniques

The three main techniques for hair weaving are bonding, braiding and infusions. Each technique offers a certain appeal for different weave hair styles. The best technique for you depends on the style you want and the type of hair you purchased.

Infusions are done with single-stranded hair. It is more durable and flexible than other weaving techniques. The natural hair is separated into small sections. The weave hair is then attached with hair glue or hot wax from a glue gun, or by using small locking hair clips. The style lasts for several months and can be restyled several times. The natural hair can even be washed or relaxed regularly while the infusions are still intact.

The braided technique involves braiding the natural hair into cornrows close to the head. The cornrows are in a horizontal or circular direction. Weft hair is then sewn into the braid using hair thread and a special needle. If using single-stranded hair, the strands are braided into the cornrows and pulled through them; this is called tree braiding.

Bonding is the most popular method of applying hair weaves. The natural hair is sectioned off. Hair glue is applied to the threaded portion of the hair weft before it is attached to the hair close to the scalp. If you don't want to deal with the messy hair glue, there also are pre-glued hair tracks that make bonding easier.

References

• Hair Weaves
• Hair Extensions Application Techniques