Braids: what is it and how to do it?

Many people like original and eye-catching hairstyles. So, a frequent companion of bright and bold fashionistas are original braids, which cannot be ignored. This unusual hairstyle is created in many ways. The materials can also be used different. Today we take a closer look at such a non-trivial technique and find out how it can be implemented.

Not every person knows what braids are and how they differ. In translation, this new word for many means “pigtail” or “weaving”. This hairstyle consists of a large number of thin braids. In most cases, they are weaved in an amount of at least one hundred. Such pigtails are both natural and artificial and are divided into several varieties.

People who decide on such an unusual hairstyle, for the most part, are very original and positive. It should be noted that not only girls but also guys wear braids. The popularity of such a non-trivial solution is due to the many positive qualities that are inherent in it. Get acquainted with them.

• First of all, keep in mind that braids are a great way to radically change the image. Often such original braids completely change the face of a person.
• Due to such African braids, you can significantly increase the length of the hair if they are complemented by interweaving from Kanekalon or artificial locks. Density will also change for the better.
• With the help of such a hairstyle, you can emphasize your bright personality.You can rest assured that you are unlikely to be left unattended with braids.

• With the help of braids, you can change the shade of the hair. For this, weave from multi-colored artificial hair or kanekalon is used. Such afrokos look much more interesting and attract more attention.
• For some time you do not have to worry about styling and spend your free time on it. This fact pleases many girls. Moreover, it should be noted that such braids do not even need to be combed.
• This hairstyle will be not only insanely bright, stylish and unusual, but also quite durable. Usually with owners their owners go for at least 4-6 months. Of course, it is very important not to forget about campaigns for correction.

• If the original pigtails bother you, then you can quite dissolve them yourself, at home. It is easier to dissolve brades at times than to braid, so you should not be afraid of this procedure.
• Properly made pigtails can serve as a protection for your hair from the adverse effects of a hot and dry hair dryer, rain, cold, dust or ultraviolet rays.
• In the winter season, braids may well serve as a kind of cap replacement.
• Hair styled in this way is quite possible to collect in a neat female bun or tail. Most often, such decisions are addressed so that the braided strands do not interfere, for example, during sports.

From all of the above, we can safely conclude that braids are a very interesting and effective solution that can refresh and fundamentally change the image of a person. However, there were some minuses. Let's get acquainted with them.

• Immediately after creating such a hairstyle for some time, a person may not be burdened with the most pleasant sensations due to excessive stretching of the hair. Many users notice significant tightness of the scalp and even headaches like migraines. Do not be afraid of these symptoms, although they can be an unpleasant surprise. In a couple of weeks they will leave and everything will return to normal.
• Another serious drawback of this hairstyle is not the easiest care. For example, you will have to spend much more free time on the same washing and drying.
• Such hairstyles are done for a rather long time. For example, if the original African braids are braided on long hair, then the whole process may well take about 10 hours.

• If, during weaving, the master used kanekalon, then in the summer season walking with pigtails can be very hot, since they will look like a kind of hat that is distinguished by sufficient heat.
• The procedure for weaving such braids can get a tidy sum. It is advisable to apply for the specified service to a trusted and experienced craftsman who is faced with similar work not for the first time, but the services of good craftsmen and cost accordingly. Saving is not worth it. An inexperienced specialist can braid incorrectly and cause serious damage to hair.
• It is very important to keep in mind the fact that braids are not suitable for every person. This hairstyle adorns some and makes them trendy, while others can literally mutilate.
• Braids require proper and regular care. If you neglect this requirement, then natural hair can seriously suffer - their condition will noticeably worsen.

There are several varieties of brades. Get to know them better.

Classic French braids are obtained by weaving, however, different patterns can be applied here. Often they are copyrighted. In such situations, the hair on the head is woven, forming a variety of patterns and patterns.Such hairstyles attract attention like a magnet, because they look simply amazing. However, not every master can cope with the weaving of these copies, so people are more likely to do with a simple modification of afrocos.

The following subspecies are distinguished.

• Direct brades. This option is allowed to be worn by both women and men. With it, the braids are braided parallel to each other and in different directions.
• Geometric patterns. Original braids on the back of the head are woven so that they create a clear pattern of an ideal geometric shape.
• Wavy drawings. African pigtails can also exactly repeat the pattern developed by the master. For example, it can be attractive spirals, eights or more complex shapes.

Brades look even more interesting and brighter if supplemented with artificial threads. They wear them longer than ordinary traditional braids, because they keep their shape much better. Synthetic locks of different colors do not require complicated and scrupulous care and may seem simple enough, however, these details can make the hair more “lively” and attractive. Such compositions are divided into several types.

• Pigtail with Kanekalon. This material of synthetic origin can be plain, with color overflow, ombre or even luminous. Hairstyles with Kanekalon differ in their impressive weight, which makes it difficult to wear them.

• Pony tail. With such a hairstyle, materials similar to delicate and silky strands are used. There is always loose hair at the ends.
• Sisi. This name is carried by thin straight or wavy braids that are woven into their hair.
• Curly curls or afrolokones. Such options are attached to the head using beautiful French weaving. The main length of the strands remains free, so the hairstyle from the side is similar to loose curls.

This option is a variety of Senegalese braids. They are embodied in different forms, for example:

• in the form of a mambo twist - These are quite voluminous and dense twists;
• senegal twists - thin pigtails, as close as possible to the classic Senegalese;
• cube twists - An analog of tetrahedral braids composed of four strands.

If you have weighed all the pros and cons of the original braids, then you should not hurry with their design on your head until you know exactly if they are suitable for you. Do not neglect this stage, because such braids can both transform you and noticeably spoil your appearance.

Keep in mind that African braids are a very bold and bold hairstyle that takes a long time to complete and is often expensive. Suitable composition for both women and men. However, it must be borne in mind that it is permissible for women to refer to all sorts of original patterns and drawings on their heads, but it is better for the stronger sex to do with more concise and restrained hairstyles.

Initially, it was believed that such a hairstyle is more suitable only for schoolchildren or students. However, over time, African (and any other similar braids) braids ceased to be perceived as a "calling card" of youth. Nowadays, these hairstyles can be safely addressed to any active, courageous and open people who want to emphasize their bright personality. Older users, over 30, also decorate their heads with braids.

In addition to age and gender, it is very important to take into account the particular appearance of a person.It is advisable to emphasize the pros with braids and distract attention from the cons. Unfortunately, it’s hardly possible to hide any imperfections with such pigtails, so they can decorate their owner only if a number of nuances are observed.

• The shape of the head should be aesthetic. With the help of pigtails, you can visually correct the irregular shape of the nape, as well as distract attention from a square forehead or protruding ears.
• The face should have the correct shape, because it will be completely open with braids. Excessive angularity and non-standard proportions will immediately catch the eye. This also applies to other unattractive features, for example, a rough nose, too wide or close-set eyes and other similar nuances.
• A person should not have scars, bald spots, or large and noticeable moles.
• Brades are a great complement to an informal style. In a business or evening look, this hairstyle will look ridiculous and disharmonious.

The technique of weaving African braids can seem rather difficult, but you can master it and create unique hairstyles for yourself at home. First you need to stock up on everything you need.

• A special mirror with several sections. So you will see yourself from all sides. With this device you can even form a spectacular weave on the whole head.
• You will need a comb with a long handle to make partings.
• Hairpins of different sizes are also useful - large and small.
• For the ends of the braids you will need small rubber bands.
• You can stock up on artificial strands, a special adhesive composition and beads for braids.

Now we will consider in stages how to weave the original braids on their own.

• First, pick your favorite picture. If you do not want to mess with complex and intricate schemes, then it is better to weave simple direct braids.
• Comb the hair from the top of the head. Divide into partings, based on the scheme. In most cases, about 16-20 sections come out based on the degree of hair density.
• Every ridge will need to be carefully “grabbed” with small hair clips, fixing them on the head. Do not touch the length. As a result, you get a kind of blank for the planned brades, represented by several locks. The evenness of their placement can be verified using mirrors.
• Dividing the hair into separate and even rows, it will be possible to proceed to weaving. Some begin to do this from the crown, while others begin to weave on their temples. Here, each girl chooses for herself a more convenient option.

• Grab a large length with a hairpin so that it does not bother you.
• Select a thin strand for the planned braid at the very beginning of the ridge. Scratch it and divide it into 3 parts.
• Now do 2-3 cycles of a standard braid, and then move to the end of the parting. At each stage, cling to thin bundles, as in French weaving.
• As soon as the hairline ends, the idle end must be braided in the manner of a classic pigtail.
• Brad should be woven like a French braid. Each of them must be braided to the end. It is permissible to fix them with elastic bands, leaving a small unoccupied curl.
• If you use kanekalon in your hairstyle, then you need to add it with weaving in long hair at the stage when the French braid is completed and simple begins (it is possible and a little earlier).

• Perform a hair wash once every 7-10 days.
• Do not use serums, masks or conditioners, because these products are difficult to wash off. Take a simple shampoo for normal hair. Apply it to the scalp, distributing it to the roots. Next, wash the pigtails thoroughly in the shower.
• Wet hair should be squeezed gently, and then pat dry with a dry towel. Do not rub the braids and do not twist them, otherwise the hairstyle will lose its shape.
• Do not blow dry your hair, otherwise it will be knocked out of braids. Synthetic strands do not tolerate high temperatures at all.
• Do not forget to go for a correction.

• Braids look beautiful, complemented by colored Kanekalons. So, with blond hair, blue-pink weaves will look, and with dark ones - blue or blue-violet.

• Lush Senegalese thin and tight pigtails of a dense burgundy shade will look luxurious. Such hairstyles look especially harmonious on girls with dark skin and expressive features.

• In search of original solutions, some fashionistas turn to braiding only at one temple. The remaining hair remains intact. The pigtail on the side can be supplemented with kanekalons with color transitions.

For how easy it is to braid African braids, see the next video.