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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

The Art of Hair Weaving

By Marquetta Breslin


A woman can define herself in a lot of ways. The clothes she wears, her walk, and her attitude are all attributes of a woman's personality. One of the most popular ways that a woman can enhance her natural beauty is with the application of a hair weave, also known as extensions, or 'hair integration'.

A lot of women may shy away from hair weaves because they are scared their weave will turn out like a style from the 1960s. If you've ever seen these horrid weaves, you know that they often looked fake and never blended properly with the natural hair. But today, hair-weaving techniques have become so advanced that even short styles like pixie cuts, bobs, and other chin-length styles look great when enhanced with a weave!

Today's advanced techniques for weaving hair give you more choices and options to get the style you want. There are two basic types of extension hair used in hair weaves: human hair and synthetic hair. Human hair is the obvious choice because of its quality and appearance. However, you can now find natural-looking synthetic hair that can be styled with heated styling tools.

There are also several different ways of attaching the extension hair to your existing hair. The first method is called the sewn-in method. This method is safest because there are no glues or chemicals used, and it's healthiest on the hair. The two other methods are 'bonded' and 'fusion'. The bonded method uses a glue adhesive to attach the hair, and the fusion method uses melted wax for application.

If you're considering getting any type of hair weave, here are some things you should remember:

1. Always visit your stylist bi-weekly to ensure your hair and scalp are being properly maintained.

2. A hair weave needs tightening or reattaching throughout its lifetime. This is because a weave is blended with your natural hair, and natural hair grows. Make sure to check with your stylist for specific instructions on caring for your new hair weave.

3. Be sure not to wash your hair for two weeks after first getting a weave. This allows ample time for the weave to set.

4. A cotton pillowcase may adversely affect the shine of your hair weave. Try using a satin pillowcase while your weave is in.

Weaves can be a handful, and it's very important to take care of them. But it's also important that you don't neglect the condition of your scalp while your weave is in place. Build-up on the scalp can lead to skin irritation, so you must shampoo and moisturize regularly. If your hair becomes dry, use a crme- based moisturizer. Check with your stylist to find out what they recommend for your particular type of weave. For example, bonded weaves cannot be washed and conditioned.

Since there are many factors involved with the various weaving techniques, the price can vary greatly depending on your location, the type and length of extension hair you use, and the method for applying the weave. You should expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $1,500.

Caring for your new hair weave properly can result in a weave lasting anywhere from six to eight weeks.

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