Before you get your first human hair weave
Hello Beweavers,
Sometimes we forget that some women have never worn a human hair weave before, even you were a newbie once upon a time. Even if this is your 100th weave or your first, we can all learn something new when it come to hair. So here are some tips and things you should know before you weave.
1. Get a great hairdresser/stylist
There is not point buying great hair and having a whack job of an installation. Ask around, do some research, there is not harm in asking. Trust me, you don’t want to unnecessarily waste your coin. A whack installation can leave your weave looking like a bad wig, and ain’t nobody got time for that.
2. Stay away from the glue honey
If your hairstylist asks you if you want to use a glue method installations, ALWAYS say no. Glue has been known to eat away at your hairline, especially after repeat use. If you are new to the weave game, you need to protect your hairline at all costs, too many before you have fallen victim to the receding hairline.
3. Invest in a flat iron or straightener
Although we don’t advocate the frequent use if heat on your weave, if you have a leave-out, you are going to have to use heat to blend your natural hair with your weave hair. Try to look for a straightener with a heat adjustment dial, and always use low heat, until you master using a hair straightener.
4. Get a curling iron or wand
While wearing a weave you are going to want to change things up now and then, so if you buy a straight or body wave weave, you will need to give it some life.
5. You need a heat protectant spray
Human hair weaves can burn, just like you natural hair, so buy a heat protector to help protect your weave from that lasting damage caused by electronic hairstyling tools. A heat protectant will also help your weave last longer.
A great weave experience only happens if you choose hair the suites your lifestyles and works with you.
6. You need a good shampoo and conditioner
This is very important! Look for a shampoo that specially made for hair extensions, otherwise, a sulphate free shampoo will do the job. Wash and condition your hair at least twice a week and more frequently if you sweat or exercise.
7. Use a wide tooth comb to detangle
You can’t just install great hair and expect it to do all the work. This is a partnership and you (and she, the weave) need to work together.
8. Invest in a tail comb
You will need it to separate your hair when brushing or styling because the tail comb has a long and thin plastic handle, it works well to separate your neatly along the edges and when parting.
9. Wrap your hair at night
You have to buy a silk/satin hair scarf or bonnet to wrap your hair at night. I know it ain’t cute, but leaving your hair unprotected at night will cause the hair to tangle, dry out or break. This is the holy grail of weave-basics ladies, so as soon as you walk out the hairdresser go straight to a store and get a scarf.
10. Nourish your leave-out
You need to buy hair food that you are going to use on your leave-out. You have to take care of your natural hair that is left out or that is underneath the weave, and moisture is the most import way to do so, so buy hair food and keep your leave-out fed.
9. Buy castor oil
At least three times a week, before bed, you need to massage some castor oil into your hair, around the perimeter of your weave. Don’t put the oil into the weave itself, use it on your leave-out and along your temple and nape of the weave. I like Jamaican castor oil, but if you can’t find it, normal castor oil will work too. This will keep you hair strong and thicken it while you wear a weave.