I will tell you this, hair extensions are not for the faint of heart. Ittakes time to become a connoisseur of weave and I'm still learning myself through a lot of trial and some error! The best thing about weave, clip-ins, wigs, braids, crochets and any other type of extensions is that it gives our hair a break from styling and also allows versatility. However, with weave comes great responsibility, it is extremely important that when you decide to add hair you either go hard or go home!
What?!?! Yes, you betta bring it! Don't half ass a weave, it's either quality or nothing at all. My definition of quality does not mean spending $100 or more on a bundle of hair, that ladies, is some good ole fashion marketing! A good weave is about two things: the hair and the install. I'm going to share my top 5 lessons learned when purchasing hair and installing a weave. Learn from my mistakes and avoid the embarrassment and shame of a bad weave.
Number 5: Shedding & Tangling
Despite what many think shedding really has to do with the way the hair is wefted. According to
blackhairmedia.com, high quality Remy Hair is mechanically machine wefted and sewn by industrial sewing machines while Virgin Hair is more commonly known to be wefted by human operated sewing machines. As a result, it's said that Virgin Hair tends to shed a bit more but keep in mind shedding is normal. Think about your hair, when you comb it doesn't it shed?
Now, if you walk around your house and leave a trail of hair behind you, that my dear is a sign, you got a bad weave and should not repurchase that brand/type of hair. There are things you can do to prevent additional shedding like purchasing double wefted hair or sealing your wefts with fabric glue.
Excessive tangling is a great indicator of a bad weave. Good hair does not tangle at the nape of the neck. Yes, you'll need to brush it out here and there to bring the hair back to life but by no means should strands be sticking together! That is unacceptable; girlfriend toss that hair and never look back!
Be sure to watch my videos on YouTube (Channel KesiaKing) for hair and product reviews. Also search other Vloggers and get details on what brands to buy and their associated pros and cons.
Number 4: Multi-color install
Ombre is toally in, but having naturally dark hair and purchasing a color 4 (brown) is not. This is another all or nothing moment. If you choose to wear a leave-out and have your edges exposed make sure you find hair that matches your natural color. This can be tricky if you're like me and have multiple highlights in your hair. You have to make the decision to either dye your hair to match the color of the weave you're purchasing or go for a full sew-in and don't leave any hair out.
Your black hair on red weave are not highlights. I'm not saying this for anyone to get defensive, I've been there, but some people won't tell you it looks bad because they're being nice. I'm keeping it all the way one hundred - remember go hard or go home ladies, do it right! What I've recently began to do is purchase the same color bundles and closure, then going to the drug store to purchase color. This way, all the weave has the same base color and then when I go in to add highlights.
Number 3: Frequent mirror checks
One of the many perks of having a good weave is being able to just get up and go with minimal styling. You know you have a bad weave when you're constantly adjusting and readjusting your install. Whether you're checking the mirror to ensure a track isn't showing or trying to dodge the blowing wind (lol, now that's funny). Leave the overly thick, heavy weaves for the celebs it's not very conducive to everyday life, but be sure to have enough hair added that it covers possible flaws in your install. I generally go with 2 1/2 to 3 bundles for a full sew-in.
2. Mismatched textures
It's important that we know and understand our hair before deciding to get extensions. Research is required and there are several questions you should ask yourself before making a purchase. I really think some women don't understand the level of thought that must be put into choosing hair and a stylist. The most important things to consider are the following:
What activities will you engage in with this weave? This sounds really funny as I'm typing but it's the truth.
Do you workout frequently? Are you going on vacation and plan to swim?
If you're natural you know that water and sweat will "expose your curlies," as I like to say. Basically, your edges and your leave-out will revert back to it's natural state while your extensions stay bone straight. In order to avoid mismatched textures opt for a full sew-in, this will give you complete coverage and you won't have to avoid the gym or the pool. Another thought would be to get a courser type of hair installed. Peruvian hair is a bit more course and in my opinion matches the texture of African American hair a bit better than Brazilian. If you're natural consider a style like crochet braids, box braids or marley twists. There are also a number of styles you can wear with Kanekalon hair. Extensions should allow you to do more activities with less work. Don't be that girl that doesn't have fun because she just got a new weave!
Do you live or will you be visiting a humid climate?
Climate has always been a huge factor in
black women's hairstyle selection. We know rain and humidity are like our kryptonite! That sleek on fleek flatiron job you got done on your edges and leave out will poof right on up faster than you can make it to the car for rain cover or seek shelter for air conditioning. If your hair is relaxed you don't have to worry about this because your hair will continue to lay. My advice, if you have natural hair is to get a full sew-in, opt for curly weave or get a style with bangs for a more natural look. If you want a straight weave, go for a closure so you can wear a faux part providing the illusion that the hair is growing out of your scalp, when in actuality none of your hair is exposed.
Number 1: Unhealthy Hair
When all the weave, extensions, clip-ins, glue, etc. is out, what is the condition of your hair? A good weave should promote hair growth. Your hair can even thicken from a good weave because you're minimizing the daily stress you would typically put on your hair. A bad weave pulls on your edges and can possibly leave you edge-less due to a poor install. If you have a leave-out and you notice a lot of breakage it's probably because the mismatch in texture was so extreme, that you found yourself straightening your hair daily. How you and your beautician care for your hair under your weave is important.
I love making u-part wigs because I can take them off easily and wash the wig and my hair separately. I take the wig off every 4 weeks, wash and deep condition my hair, braid it back up and throw the wig back on. Clip-ins are quick to remove so you can easily continue your daily hair care regimen. If you wear braids, crochets or twist, be sure to oil your scalp and even rub shampoo over your braids a couple times a month to rinse out dirt, debris and oil build up. Be sure that you dry your hair properly to avoid mildew caused by wet hair under a sew-in or wig.
Even if you wear weaves consistently and never expose your real hair, it's important to maintain the health of your hair. Keeping extensions in too long can cause major issues with your real hair.
Honorable mentions from Aaron King (husband): You know you got a bad weave if...
6. White people can tell it's a weave
7. It gets up and runs across the room
8. It looks like a mop sitting on your head
9. If the weave's texture is nappier than your normal hair
10. If it smells like hay or corn chips
