Hair weave
From Free net encyclopedia
Hair weaves are a form of hair extensions. Hair weaves can either enhance a hairstyle or give a completely different look. Because this topic is called "hair weaves", it will not discuss hair braiding (such as cornrows and individual braids) or dreadlock extensions because that is a completely different style that what the typical weave look achieves.
Supplies typically used for creating hair weaves are:
1. Thick thread (preferably a color that matches the color of the hair) to attach the hair weft securely.
2. A long and/or curved needle. They're could be a smaller upholstery needle.
3. Hair glue. Specifically made for hair weaves. The glue can be easily washed out using a special shampoo/conditioner that will take the glue out without taking the real hair out.
4. Hair extensions. Depending on the thickness and the look desired, it's good to get two. Some people can get away with just one to one-and-a-half bags. Depending on the weaving technique, the wearer can either use hair wefts or individual strands.
Other types of extensions that can be added to the hair include ponytails, or ponytail pieces.
Just as any wig or wigpiece, the colors for hair to be weaved can range from "realistic" colors, such as red, black, brown and blonde, to other colors such as pink, blue and green. How creative the wearer wants to be is up to him or her.
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Weave fiber types
Synthetic hair
Synthetic hair is made of a wide array of different synthetic fibers. Synthetic hair, just as human hair, comes in weave (weft) and single strands for braids. Most stylists do not recommend using synthetic hair for weaving because it does not last as long as human hair because it tends to get tangled too easily and uncontrollably frizz out. Synthetic hair is much less expensive than human hair. The costs can range from $10.00 to $20.00, depending what city the hair is bought.
Heating appliances such as curling irons and straightening combs should not be used on synthetic hair. Synthetic hair is shaped into styles by using boiling water. Typically when the synthetic hair is shaped it's best not to try to change it too much because, as stated earlier, it will tangle and frizz out.
Human hair
Much of human hair is derived from Asia and India. A person will grow their hair very long, cut it, and sell it to hair manufacturers. Lower quality so called "Human Hair" Extensions are diluted with Yak animal hair. The Yak is a beef like animal which grows long hairs on its bely. The yak hair is coarser that human hair & is used to augment the human hair in order to lower the price. Yak hair has all the properties of Human hair & can be curled, permed & colored. Human hair is of course, more versatile than synthetic hair because human hair can be colored, relaxed, curled with heating appliances just as one would do with his or her own hair. Because the weave wearer would want the hair to match the texture of his/her hair in it's present condition (relaxed, curly, or straight), weave hair comes in a variety of textures: yaki (closely resembles relaxed African-American hair texture...often made of 100% Yak Hair & not human hair), silky (resembling very straight Asian hair...often diluted with Yak animal hair), European texture hair straight (Europeans do not sell their hair, so called "European hair" comes from India), curly (ranges from tight corkscrew curls to the varying degrees of wavy), and crimped (very small, sharp waves). There are different grades of hair. The highest grade of hair is called "Remi". Remi Hair Extensions are cuticle directional and tangle free.
The same maintenance as one would to his or her own hair should be applied to the human hair to keep it in good condition.
True 100% Human hair is generally more expensive than hair diluted with Yak hair. Depending on what city the hair is bought and the grade of hair it is, costs range from $23.00 to $100.00 on up. The $23.00 hair is more likely to contain a high percentage of Yak hair than the $100.00 hair.
Hair Weaving Techniques
There are many techniques to weaving hair. The most common way that it can be sewn in on very small cornrows or the stylist can use a heating applicance to fuse the hair segment onto very small sections of hair.
To sew the weave hair, the hair must be braided into cornrows. The wearer may leave out a section of hair if she/he wants a part or half the hair weaved. Typically the small cornrows (as small as possible to eliminate lumpiness) are simply braided straight back, from the hairline to the nape of the neck. The hair is sewn securely with the thread, going down each row just enough so the wearer's hair won't come loose when the hair is tugged with everyday styling. So the hair won't appear lumpy, the hair is sewn horizonally across the head from one side to the other, starting from the bottom. If the hair is to have a part, it's recommended that a weft of hair is glued as close as possible to part in the hair that separates the braids and the hair that the wearer left out. After those steps are finished, the wearer can have the weave hair be cut or styled however he or she wants with her/his hair blending in.
To use a heating appliance, individual strands of hair is used. Hair is sectioned out as if the client is getting skinny individual braids. The appliance is heated to the correct temperature. The stylist attaches a section of the human hair to the client's sectioned hair. Depending on the style, a half head of fused hair could take about 20 sections. A full head could use about 50 sections.
The heating applicance can cost from $500.00 on up. It is highly recommended that a trained and certified stylist use this technique because of potential hair loss and skin burning from the appliance may occur.
Recently Cold Fusion Extensions made of 100% Human Hair (no Yak hair dilution) have been introduced. These hair extensions do not require any heating elements, as the intense heat used to apply traditional hair extensions, may damage your hair.