By Gone are the days when curly hair was considered “difficult” to care for or handle. Now, the era of this curvature has arrived, and with it, several ways to use natural wires. And for those who are curly, knowing ideas for creative hairstyles is very important to always feel beautiful even in the rush of everyday life, in addition to testing new ways to enjoy the look and boost their self-esteem. One of them is betting on afro braids, which offer an infinite variety of shapes to suit all tastes.
Whether it’s for a special occasion, to fix a bad hair day, or even to dare your look, we’ve put together the definitive guide to afro braids for hair here, so you can get away from the obvious and enjoy all the versatility that the curly and curly curve offers. See below:
Know the main types of afro braids
Afro braids are timeless hairstyles: after all, they have been loved by many people for many decades. Versatile, passionate and powerful, afro braids carry a deep history of black empowerment, being an important ally of curly, curly and especially those who go through the hair transition. Widely used by black men and women around the world, these hairstyles offer, in addition to a lot of style and attitude, protection for the hair and scalp. There are several styles of afro braids, but the most popular are:
Box braids
Box braids are of African origin and consist of the use of synthetic fibre braided or sewn together with the hair to form a unique hairstyle. It carries this name precisely because of the appearance of “fitted” braids. There are different models and formats and also different types of materials that can be used to create a unique look, with “fake” hair, wool and crochet being the most used. In general, they take about 8 to 12 hours to do, in a procedure that involves dexterity and patience, and they last on natural hair for up to 3 months.
Root braid
Also known as root braid, the nagô braid is made close to the scalp. Here, the creativity of the transistor will dictate the style of the hair, since this technique allows different designs, shapes, colours and sizes, using or not extensions and synthetic fibres. As it is a braid rooted in the scalp, it does not have many restrictions, but the durability is much lower than box braids, for up to a maximum of 2 months.
Twist braid
Twists use the same method as box braids, with synthetic fibres that mimic the texture and appearance of natural hair, however, instead of a braid, which uses three thin strands, two strands are twisted together — hence the name “twist”. Like the nagô braid, it also has shorter durability than box braids, up to 2 months.
Fibre braids: understand the difference between them
Versatile and democratic, afro braids can be made with a huge variety of materials, from different
Jumbo: this is a synthetic fibre material made especially for braids, which mimics natural hair. It is the most suitable type of fibre for most afro braids, including box braids and nagô braids.
Kanekalon: Kanekalon fibre has a shinier, thinner finish, which makes it a little easier to braid as it tangles a lot less than jumbo. However, her appearance is not so natural, and she also weighs a little more.
Wool: often, wool is used instead of synthetic fibre for braiding. There’s no secret here: the material offers a greater variety of colours and is much more affordable than other materials. It is widely used not only in afro braid hairstyles but also in other types, such as boxer braids, for example.
Crochet thread: much lighter than the other materials mentioned, the crochet thread also offers less discomfort and is much cheaper than jumpo and kanekalon hair, in addition to offering more friction and lasting longer.
Tips on how to care for braided hair
- During the use of braids, in addition to enjoying every second of your new look, some care is also essential to preserve the wires. Here is a list of the best recommendations to have with your braids:
- Protect your scalp: to sleep, invest in satin caps or pillowcases to protect your scalp from friction with the pillow, as it can increase the dryness of the wires;
- Wash the braids at least once a week: always use diluted products so that they do not accumulate in the braids. Also use released products, to prevent harmful chemicals present in the formula of non-released products (silicone, petrolatum, mineral oils and sulfates) from weakening the hair even more.
- Go easy on hairstyles: yes, braid hairstyles are powerful, but it’s important not to go overboard and do them daily. This is because hairstyles force the root of the hair, increasing pressure on the scalp.
- Write down the hydration tip: dilute a little of your favourite hydration mask with a little vegetable oil of your choice ( coconut or castor oil ) and water and spray at the root of the wires every 3 days. This way you prevent dryness and make your hair stronger.
How to avoid frizz in braids?
- Yes, afro braids can have frizz! Pay attention to the tips to keep the strands aligned even in the braids:
- Invest in moisturizing shampoos to avoid the dry look of the wires;
- Remove excess water from the hair with a microfiber towel and never make the movement of “rubbing” the braids, and yes, press gently;
- Bet on the satin cap to avoid frizz and increase the durability of the braids.
