Do-it-yourself African braids for a child. Ethnic motives in hairstyle - how to learn to weave African braids

01.09.2019

For many people, Afrokos are associated with a beach vacation at sea resorts ... After all, it is there that tourists and, yes, just vacationers, are offered braiding services. It is very convenient in this heat, when the hair is tucked away and does not interfere with enjoying your vacation at the sea. In addition, this hairstyle does not require special personal care, which is also a big plus.

But do not think that this type of hairstyle is only summer! Afro-braids have many fans who are not ready to part with them in any weather and season.

There are also a large number of varieties of Afrokos. We invite you to dive into the world of braids a little deeper and learn more about them from our article.

A little from the history of the appearance of Afro-braids

Afrokos have a rather rich history, because they appeared more than 5 thousand years ago! Once upon a time, the Egyptians braided their curls into strong bundles or pigtails. Such a move was used so that the hair did not require much personal care, because hygiene at that time was very bad.

In many countries, in ancient times, braiding was considered a whole ritual filled with special meaning. The ancients believed that many small braids ward off evil spirits from their carrier and even attract good luck. Some of our contemporaries still believe in these beliefs.

But why were such braids called African? The thing is that the “white” inhabitants of Africa brought there their fashion for wavy and braided hair. Thus, they imitated a European appearance.

What types of Afrokos are there?

Afrokos - a hairstyle that includes many types and subspecies. We decided to consider the most popular areas of African braids in modern hairdressing fashion.

Braids. These are French braids, more like spikelets. Usually not a lot of them are braided, up to 30 pieces. Their distinctive feature is the direction of weaving. They are woven along the entire head, and most often have an unusual shape (triangles, zigzags, etc.). Such braids hold up to 2 weeks. If you additionally use artificial hair when weaving braids, then it will last 2 times longer on the head.
Zizi. The most popular Afrokos variety is definitely the Zizi! They weave quickly and a lot at a time. On average, one hairstyle goes from 500 zizi braids. The creation of such a hairstyle takes about 5 hours. Zizi can be braided to any length of hair, which is very comfortable. In their weaving, kanekalon is used - artificial hair, so visually your hairstyle will seem more magnificent and larger. Also, thanks to the use of artificial hair in weaving Afrokos zizi, you can choose absolutely any color.
Senegalese braids. Kanekalon is also used in this species. Unlike other varieties of Afrokos, Senegalese braids are woven like a plait, and look thicker and much more voluminous. The color of kanekalon can be absolutely anything: from natural to brightly acidic. On average, from hundreds to 500-600 braids are braided in one hairstyle. Senegalese braids are worn for a long time, but require monthly correction.
Ponytail. Such braids are very similar to the classics or ordinary zizi, but they have one clear distinguishing feature - their loose ends. That is, the pigtail is not completely braided, leaving part of the strand loose at the bottom. Ponytail takes a long time, from six to eight hours. Several hundred braids are used in the hairstyle - depending on the wishes of the client. The more braids are involved, the more magnificent the hairstyle will look. It will last for about 4 months, depending on the accuracy of wearing and caring for the pigtails. Of the minuses of ponytail, you can note the care of them. Since the ends of such braids are loose, they will have to be washed and combed more often. They must not be allowed to get tangled, otherwise you will have to take off all the pigtails ahead of schedule.
Thai braids. It is these pigtails that we are so used to seeing in the cities, resorts and on the beaches. Their principal feature is weaving only from natural hair, without the use of kanekalon. This type of Afrokos is suitable for both owners of long hair and medium length. It will be much more difficult to braid Thai braids on short hair. Often, some kind of jewelry is added to such pigtails at the ends - most often large beads. It is important to know that if any artificial material that imitates hair is added to such braids, then they will no longer be Thai.
Gofre braids. These playful wavy braids are somewhat reminiscent of a perm. A large number of artificial curls are attached to the head with the help of special devices or through other pigtails. This hairstyle is not done so long, in the region of 3 hours in one session. Despite the speed of creating such a hairstyle, it is the most difficult to care for it, and it will not last so long on you.

As we learned, there are many varieties of Afrokos, so everyone can choose a hairstyle with them to their liking.

Afrokos for different hair lengths

Almost all types of afrokos can be made to suit any hair length. Since in weaving African braids, additional artificial hair or kanekalon is most often used, they can be used to safely increase the length of your braids.

Also, with the help of some types of afrokos (for example, Gofre braids), it is quite possible to get curly perky curls from your hair.

Who is Afrokos good for and who should avoid them?

Unfortunately, afrokos will not look beautiful on all face types. Pigtails are categorically not suitable for people with a round face, as they will round it even more, visibly highlighting the cheeks and expanding the forehead.

If you have a low forehead, then thanks to the Afrokos, you can make it visually taller. Also, pigtails are suitable for people with a thin face and highlighted cheekbones.

Afrokos reviews

Afrokos have many lovers who have found themselves in this hairstyle. And there are those who find it difficult to wear braids on their heads for a long time. Therefore, opinions and reviews about Afrokos differ greatly among themselves.

Most often, negative reviews come from those people who did not really understand what they were doing. Or from those who unsuccessfully got to a bad master due to their inexperience.

What does the hair look like after removing the braids?

Unfortunately, while wearing any kind of afrokos, hair care is very difficult. And, of course, this affects the condition of your curls after removing the braids.

After removing the African braids, your hair will be weakened or in the worst case damaged. It will take some time for your hair to regain its health, so be prepared for that.

Also, after removing the afrokos, your hair will remain wavy for a while, as it was previously tightly braided.

Also, in the process of removing braids, be prepared to lose some hair. If Afrokos were braided into long hair, then in this case, a bob haircut is most often done. This will allow new, healthy hair to grow back much faster.

All the pros and cons of Afrokos

Pluses of Afro-braids:

Aesthetics of the species;
Original hairstyle;
Do not require hair care;
You can wash your hair much less often;
For a while, you can forget about the comb;
Bulky hairstyle due to the large number of braids;
Large variety of braids and weaving styles;
Artificial hair is a durable material that can be used even after removing the braids;
Braided for any length of hair.

Cons of afro braids:

Not suitable for everyone;
Considered an informal hairstyle;
Expensive weaving procedure and material;
It is difficult to find a good master;
Do not braid on sore hair;
They require timely correction;
Heaviness on the head;
Small selection of Afrocos hairstyles;
After removing the braids, the hair is injured and weakened;
You will have to spend a lot on hair restoration after removing the braids.

The Afrokos have a sufficient number of both their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is worth weighing the pros and cons before you go to the master. In any case, an experienced craftsman will always advise you on how to weave African braids and how to care for them.

The main rules for caring for Afrokos

In order for Afrokos to hold out on you as long as possible, you should adhere to some rules for caring for them:

If in the first days after weaving braids with kanekalon you have slight irritations on your skin - do not be alarmed! This is quite normal as the procedure uses synthetic materials that many people are allergic to. Treat the irritated skin with chlorhexidine or any other antiseptic, and over time, the redness and itching will go away.
Afrokos should not be washed too often. Now your new hairstyle will not need to wash your hair every day. It is enough to do this only once a week, or even two times.
Forget hair balms. When washing your hair, use only shampoo, conditioners and other hair care products that will not be useful to you. This is because balms do not foam, unlike shampoo, and it can be quite difficult to wash it off from braids.
Rinse afrokos thoroughly without leaving shampoo on them. It is important to rinse your hair and scalp well so that no shampoo or other chemicals remain on them. If you yourself cannot properly rinse your curls, seek help from loved ones.
Dry your afrokos well before bed. You can't go to bed with wet pigtails. They can simply get confused with each other, and it is still a difficult task to untangle them ...
Don't forget about the afrocos correction. It is necessary because of the rapid growth of hair. If you neglect this rule, damage to your hair is possible. Correction is required monthly or at the urging of your master.

Which celebrities have tried on Afrokos?

American R'n'B singer, actress and dancer Beyoncé has appeared with Afrokos in many of her performances. They matched perfectly with her R'n'B image and made her playful.

Also, such musicians as Snoop Dogg, Fergie, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake also braided afros in their hair more than once. Afrokos perfectly complement their image, emphasizing their chosen musical directions.

Representatives of the modeling business also ventured to try on African braids. Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks are living examples of this. For the embodiment of some photo projects, they resorted to Afrokos in their images.

The talented footballer David Beckham also turned out to be an Afro lover. This hairstyle is quite comfortable with his busy work schedule, and also his hair does not interfere with him during important matches.

Such bold Russian beauties as Ksenia Sobchak and Olga Buzova also decided to keep up with fashion, and to do Afro-style hairstyles on their hair. Their fans have appreciated the new looks of fashionistas!

Weave afrokos according to video lessons:

Since now many craftsmen are braiding afrokos at home or at their clients' homes, such a phenomenon as video lessons and master classes on weaving on the Internet is no longer news to anyone.

We have selected the most interesting video tutorials on weaving afrokos for those who would like to learn how to make them themselves.

Decide - do you need Afrokos at all? Yes, it may sound funny, but it is important to know for sure if Afrokos are acceptable in your life and whether they will suit your wardrobe and style.

Afrokos are considered a very informal hairstyle, so not every employer will accept such a hairstyle from their employee. It is also worth understanding that pigtails require a certain wardrobe, with which they will go well.

Only braid your Afro-braids on your healthy hair. Many probably would like to hide behind a lot of braids an unsuccessful haircut or their unkempt hair, but this is absolutely impossible. While wearing any kind of Afrokos, the hair will not be able to take proper care of it, so weakened hair will only get worse after removing the braids.
Choose an experienced craftsman with due care. Braiding afrokos is an expensive pleasure. In this case, payment goes both for expensive material - most often kanekalon, and for the time-consuming painstaking work of the master.

Since more than one hundred braids are used in the hairstyle, the work is delayed for several hours, and the result obtained will be quite difficult to redo. Therefore, when choosing a master for yourself, start not from the cheapness of his services, but from work experience (see his portfolio) and from the reviews of his clients.

Don't skimp on braid material. Most often, in weaving Afrokos, additional artificial hair is used, unless of course it is Thai braids. The cost of artificial hair directly depends on its quality. It should be understood that the better the material used, the longer the work of the master will last for you. The cost of an Afrokos hairstyle will also depend on the number of braids used.
Don't forget about the afrocos correction. Correction of any Afrokos is optional, but necessary. Your hair, even when it is braided, still continues to grow. Accordingly, sooner or later your hairstyle will need correction, despite proper care of it. If you start this business, then your hairstyle will look at least not aesthetically pleasing, and your hair can be injured.

Braids are always a source of pride, and African braids give a hairstyle originality, audacity and catch the eyes of others. Even looking at a photo or video, it is impossible to take your eyes off the mesmerizing braids. This hairstyle suits active, positive, courageous girls. A hairdressing master can braid any of its options, but it would not hurt to learn how to create afrokos yourself. Consider how to weave African braids with your own hands, beautifully and neatly.

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Types of African braids

Weaving African braids can be done in various ways, giving out a variety of options. Let's consider them in more detail.

In which the ends of the weaving remain even. This hairstyle allows you to do even parting or fantasize.

Weaving technique Pony tail interesting in that a curl remains at the bottom of the pigtail, 15-20 centimeters long, resembling a pony's tail in shape.

Zizi Is a technique of weaving ready-made braids into the hair, which greatly simplifies the process of creating a hairstyle. To create this variation, you must have a hair length of at least 15 centimeters. The version with spiral braids is called Zizi Sue.

Corrugation... To create this hairstyle, a special corrugated material is woven into the hair strands.

Provide for weaving braids only 10-15 centimeters, then the hair continues with curls from a special material, twisted in the form of waves. Such hair requires special care.

Performed by twisting two strands together. It is worth noting that this hairstyle is short-lived.

This technique is specific in that the hair is intertwined with woolen threads.

Advantages and disadvantages

Benefits of African braids:

There are a lot of ways to weave braids, so there is a version for any girl;
with braids it is easy to increase the length of the hair, which is very convenient for girls with short haircuts;
Afrokos will help to change hair color by weaving strands of a different color or threads into them;
transformation of straight hair into curly;
you can undo them yourself and at any time.

Disadvantages:

it is very difficult to wash such hair, even with the use of special products;
the hairstyle is difficult to dry after washing;
from the severity of the attached strands, the hair follicles are injured, which is fraught with subsequent hair loss;
nutrition and enrichment of curls with vitamins is reduced, so they become brittle, lose their shine and healthy appearance;
sleeping on this structure is not very comfortable.

Weaving pigtails

The weaving technique is not so difficult, but incredibly time consuming, you can see this in any training video. Just imagine, there will be from 150 to 300 braids on your head! Of course, the master will do the hairstyle faster without requiring your participation. Is it possible to do this weaving at home?

Consider how to make African braids at home . To do this, you need a comb, threads or curls for weaving, glue for braids, rubber bands. It will be better if you involve an assistant, this will facilitate and speed up the process.

So, let's get to work using the step-by-step instructions for classic weaving.

Comb your hair thoroughly, it is better if it is slightly damp.
We will conventionally divide the surface of the head into squares, making a parting. From each square we will have a braid.
Next, we take a strand, divide it into three parts. We braid a regular pigtail to the required length. In this case, you can weave in a direct and reverse way. This is a matter of skill and habit.
At the end, fix it with an elastic band.
We increase the speed of weaving of each subsequent braid.
We braid until all the strands of the head are braided.

When weaving, it is necessary to ensure that the tension on the strands is the same. Also, do not panic if the ends of the hair are tangled. You just need to hold three strands with one hand, and with the other, run through the hair, separating them with your fingers.

To take a closer look at the nuances of weaving, watch the preliminary video.

You can also watch other videos, which show all possible options for weaving afrokos.

Afrokos should be washed in warm water with shampoo dissolved in it. At the same time, the means for washing your hair can be either ordinary or special, the main thing is to avoid conditioners. After washing your head in soapy water, rinse thoroughly.

It is necessary to wash your hair every 7-10 days, if you perform this process more often, then the hair will be disheveled. Remember that you cannot go to the bathhouse or sauna with African braids. Do not blow-dry your hair if you add artificial strands or threads to your hairstyle.

Wear this hairstyle can be 2-3 months, although some girls extend this period to six months, which is very harmful to the hair structure.

Unweaving braids

An interesting and no less laborious process is the process of removing African braids. .

We remove the braid at the ends of the hair, cutting it off with scissors.
We disassemble the weaving with a long needle.
We pull up the pigtail to detach the false braids.
We gently straighten the tangled strands with our fingers.
After removing the braids, be sure to wash your hair with a special shampoo. And it's better to make a mask to strengthen the weakened hair.

African braids are beautiful because they can be recreated. on any hair... It does not matter neither the type of hair, nor the length, nor the age of the owner. If you want to stand out from the crowd with an unusual hairstyle, then learn how to weave African braids, have patience, perseverance and go for it!

Every girl dreams of looking bright, stylish and original, and African braids help them with this. Of course, every season there is a huge number of newfangled hairstyles, but for many years it is African braids that continue to confidently "hold" the palm among the most popular and creative hairstyles. This type of styling has an extraordinary variety of options, among which even the most capricious fashionista can choose the perfect one.

Weaving African braids

Today, numerous beauty salons offer girls the service of professional weaving of African braids in a variety of styles. This procedure is very popular. Before you go to the hairdresser, you should find out what are the advantages and disadvantages of such an original hairstyle as African braids.

Often, Afrokos are braided for girls before going to the camp, so the mother will be calm that everything is in order with her daughter's curls.

Benefits of African braids:

To weave African braids, it is not at all necessary to have long or thick curls. Stylish styling can be easily performed on short hair no more than 5 cm in length. It's just that a special synthetic material is woven into the strands.

An equally important plus of a fashionable hairstyle is durability and ease of styling. African braids are ideal for young and active girls who want to forget about long-term everyday styling for 2-3 months.

Significant time savings on frequent shampooing. As a rule, with African braids, it is recommended to wash your head no more than once a week.

As mentioned above, there are a huge number of different options for weaving braids, among which each girl can choose the most suitable one for herself, fully corresponding to her tastes and hair type.

African braids can radically change the usual image of a woman. With the help of synthetic threads, you can visually lengthen strands, curl or change their color.

Disadvantages of African braids:

Many hairdressers who specialize in weaving a variety of braids claim that this hairstyle has practically no flaws. But on the Internet, you can find many reviews of women who wore African braids, which state the opposite. Among the main disadvantages of the original styling are the following:

The process of washing and then drying your hair is rather difficult. Despite all the efforts of the owner of the ultra-fashionable hairstyle, it is almost impossible to fully rinse all the strands. And braided hair takes a very long time to dry, which takes a significant amount of time.

If the master overdoes it with the amount of synthetic material woven into the braid, this negatively affects the condition of the strands. Under the weight of this "neighborhood", hair follicles begin to fall out. That is why, before making a stylish hairstyle, you should take care of the preliminary treatment and strengthening of the hair.
The number of styling that can be done on African braids is quite limited. Therefore, for 2-3 months a woman will have to wear the same type of hairstyle.
Some women complain of discomfort while sleeping.
After 2-3 months, the hairstyle requires correction by a specialist. It is categorically not recommended to unbraid the braids on your own - it is not only extremely difficult, but can also harm the hair structure.

Weaving African braids in a hairdressing salon is most often done by two masters. This is due to the complexity and duration of the procedure, during which at least 200-300 braids are braided. Of course, your own hair is simply not enough to weave so many braids, and therefore hairdressers use special synthetic materials. Most often it is kanekalon. This material is completely safe for curls and does not bring them the slightest harm. Such threads can be woven along the entire length of the hair or only at the ends - it all depends on the original length of the strands. The entire weaving procedure will take at least 3-10 hours.

Afrokos at home

There is an opinion that weaving stylish braids is possible only from a professional in a beauty salon. This is completely wrong - if you have enough time and patience, Afro-braids can be braided at home.

Advice! It is worth noting that it is extremely difficult to complete all stages of the hairdressing process on your own, so it is best to ask a friend or someone from your family for help.

The hair should not be washed for about 2-3 days before braiding African braids. Gently comb through all your hair, part it. Next, divide your hair into strands of uniform thickness - it is from them that the braids will be braided. To do this, each strand is carefully combed, and a synthetic thread is woven into the base of the curl. After that, you can proceed to the direct weaving, dividing the strand with thread into three equal parts. Having brought the weaving to the ends of the strand, be sure to weave a little more synthetic material - this is necessary in order to get a long, neat and uniform pigtail in thickness.

Thus, all hair is braided, from the back of the head to the face. The final stage of weaving is the design of the tip of the pigtail. The design option completely depends on the tastes and preferences of the girl - you can simply tie it with a thin elastic band or fix it with special glue for African braids.

Advice!It is very difficult to braid curls on the back of the head, so you cannot do without outside help.

Hairstyles

Afrokos are a stylish and original hairstyle, but after a while any woman gets tired of this monotony and there is a desire to diversify her image. For this, a variety of African braids hairstyles are perfect, which will help you look stylish, bright and unusual every day. Such styling is quite simple to perform, but extremely effective:

High or low tail.
"Malvinka" with gathered upper and loose lower strands.
Elegant bun, classic shell.
One or two wide braids.

Also, the usual hairstyle can be easily diversified with the help of a variety of hair accessories - headbands, headbands, hairpins or elastic bands.

Advice!A spectacular and fashionable solution is the use of wreaths with artificial or real flower buds. Such an unusual decoration will make the image much more sophisticated and romantic.

Many women are afraid to use synthetic threads for braiding African braids, believing that this can significantly damage the hair structure. Modern synthetic threads are made of kanekalon, a lightweight and safe material that does not weigh down the curls and does not harm them in the slightest.

The technology for weaving braids with threads is described above. The main attention in this process should be paid to two most important points - fastening the thread and fixing it at the tip. You need to attach the synthetic thread as close to the root of the hair as possible, giving it the shape of a mat - this provides a more reliable attachment. At the end of the strand, the thread is glued with a special glue for African braids, or tied with a thin elastic band. If the procedure is done in a hairdressing salon, the tip of the pigtail is "sealed" with a special apparatus.

Today there are more than 150 shades of synthetic threads for weaving African braids. Depending on the wishes of the girl, you can choose a thread of a natural shade that repeats the natural hair color, or choose colored threads. This will make your hairstyle even more original and unusual.

After styling, several important rules for caring for African braids should be remembered:

Shampooing is recommended to be carried out no more than once a week. You do not need to wash your hair more often, as the strands will fluff up and the hairstyle will lose its shape. For washing, you can use your usual shampoo.
It is strictly forbidden to apply a variety of conditioners or hair masks to the curls.
In the event that threads made of synthetic material were used, it is strictly forbidden to dry your hair with a hairdryer, curl with a curling iron or curler, and also level it with an iron. Also, while wearing African braids, you will have to refuse to visit the sauna, bathhouse or solarium.
In no case is it recommended to wear Afrokos longer than the time specified by the master. As a rule, in most cases, after 2–3 months, you need to correct your hairstyle. If this is not done, your hair structure can be severely damaged.

African braids look very youthful, bold and original. This fashionable hairstyle suits absolutely everyone - hundreds of women all over the world have already seen this!

Features of braids

Weaving Afrokos involves the use of kanekolon, a special synthetic material that is attached to the hair to add volume, elasticity and length. Outwardly, it differs little from natural hair, however, it is much softer, perfectly retains its shape, and is very convenient to work with. Experts distinguish several types of Afrokos.

Classic

It is a scattering of small braids (100 - 250 pieces), braided in the traditional three-strand technique. The thinner the braids are, the more beautiful and durable the styling itself will turn out to be. Completion time - 3-6 hours.

Zizi

This is an option for those who cannot wait long. Zizi is a ready-made thin pigtail (diameter - 3 mm, length - 80 cm), which is woven into the strands. Initial hair length - no more than 20 cm. Lead time - from 2 to 4 hours. The term of wearing is from 2 to 4 months. Zizi braids can be made straight, corrugated, spiral or twisted.

French braids

They are 10-20 braids, braided in different directions (zigzag, vertically, straight or horizontally) and tightly attached to the head. Braids can be created both from natural hair, the length of which is 8-10 cm, and with the addition of synthetic kanekalon. In the latter version, the pigtails will last longer.

French weaving is in great demand among women and men. It is very convenient to practice dancing and active sports with them. Braids from native hair are worn for 1.5 weeks, from artificial threads - for 1.5 months. Weaving time is 40 minutes.

Katherine Twist

The material for this hairstyle is a thin braid with a round fine curl (Ketrin Twist or Ketrin Twist de Lux). Unlike others, these braids do not fall off when worn. Katherine Twist looks very light and voluminous.

Curly curls (afrolokons)

A curly weave that is attached to the roots of the native hair. The length of the braid is up to 10 cm, the rest is curled into a tight, beautiful curl (small, medium or large). Curly curls require regular maintenance - in the first week they will have to be lubricated several times a day with a special fixing oil. Then this procedure will need to be repeated after each wash. Required hair length - 10 cm. Lead time - 2-4 hours. The term of wearing is about 2 months.

Pony tail

Translated from English means "pony tail". These are classic African braids, which are woven from artificial material and end with a small ponytail. It can be either straight or swirling. The client chooses the degree of curling and the level. The final laying length is 20-25 cm. Lead time is 5-8 hours.

Dreadlocks

Artificial braids sewn to natural strands.

Corrugation

Curled pigtails, reminiscent of wet chemistry. To create them, a corrugated kanekalon is used. The diameter of the curl can be anything you like. Corrugation refers to fast braids - the braiding time is about 4 hours. It is more convenient to perform it on short hair (5-6 cm) - otherwise the hairstyle will lose its splendor. The term of wearing is 2-3 months.

Senegalese braids

They are also called ropes, spirals or harnesses. Senegalese braids are twisted in two strands. Their length can be any, and a rich palette allows you to create multi-color styling. Weaving takes about 5 hours.

Thai braids

Another subspecies of classic afrokos, for weaving only native strands are taken. The most advantageous Thai braids look on long and thick enough hair. Another characteristic difference is that the ends of such braids are not sealed with boiling water or fire, but are fixed with a thread or a multi-colored elastic band with a bead.

Pros and cons of Afrokos

Afro-weaving has several significant advantages, thanks to which they have gained such immense popularity:

Significantly lengthen short hair;
Pigtails with threads change hair color. You can become a brunette, redhead or blonde without dyeing the strands;
They can be undone at any time;
Allows you to create different types of styling;
Do not require complex maintenance;
They can be created even on very short hair - 4-7 cm;
Creates a stylish fashionable look.

To make sure of this, see the before and after photos.

Unfortunately, African braids also have their drawbacks:

They are poorly washed - even after using a special shampoo, the hair still remains partially dirty;
They dry for a long time - it takes several hours to dry such a styling. In addition, determining whether the strands are dry or not is also very difficult;
Without sufficient nutrition, natural curls become dull and brittle;
The increased load on the hair follicles also affects. In most cases, hair begins to fall out after unraveling;
At first, with such a hairstyle it is very uncomfortable to sleep.

We make pigtails ourselves!

How to weave African braids at home? This is not an easy task, but with the help of our master class you will cope with it without any problems.

You will need:

Comb with sparse teeth;
Artificial threads from kanekolon;
Glue, silicone rubber bands or a special device for fixing braids.

Step 1. Comb your hair.

Step 2. Divide it with a comb into equal vertical partings. Their number can be arbitrary and depends on the thickness of the future weaving.

Step 3. At the back of the head, select a small section of hair with a diamond-shaped parting.

Step 4. Comb it well and attach the kanekolon thread as close to the roots as possible.

Step 5. Divide the resulting curl into three parts and braid it tightly.

Step 6. Using your own strands, add a couple more strands so that the finished braid is of the same thickness.

Step 7. Secure the end of the braid - it can be sealed, glued or tied with silicone rubber.

Step 8. Braid exactly the same pigtail next to this one.

Step 9. Continue weaving along the parting from the back of the head to the crown. The length, thickness and number of braids are determined by yourself.

Advice! Do not wash your hair before creating a hairstyle, otherwise the strands will frizz and crumble.

Who shouldn't have Afro-braids?

African weaving is categorically not suitable for girls with weak, damaged, recently dyed or chemically curled hair. First, they are more difficult to work with. Secondly, such a head of hair needs time to recover, otherwise a fashionable hairstyle can only do harm.

Afro weaving care

Taking care of African pigtails is not that difficult. The main thing is to remember a few rules.

Rule 1. Synthetic threads should not be straightened with an iron, rolled on curlers and dried out with a hairdryer - this adversely affects their condition. You should also refuse to visit the bathhouse or sauna. But braids can be dyed, so if you want to change your hair color, feel free to go to the salon!
Rule 2. Ideally, you need a special shampoo for shampooing, but regular shampoo will work as well. Dissolve a small amount in a bowl of warm water, dip your braids into it and rinse them gently. Pay special attention to the spaces between the weaves. You cannot use conditioner or balm! To make the hairstyle aesthetically pleasing, repeat the procedure once every 7-10 days.
Rule 3. Do not wear braids for more than 2.5-3 months.
Rule 4. If protruding hairs appear, carefully cut them off with nail scissors. Place them flat as you would when trimming split ends.
Rule 5. If you are not satisfied with the length of the braids, trim them to the desired level.
Rule 6. Afrokos with threads are corrected in the salon - preferably from one master.

Options for hairstyles with African braids

As the photos show, African braids allow you to make a lot of light and stylish styling. Most often they are worn loose, fixed with a wide bandage or tied in a knot at the back of the head. But that's not all! A high or low tail, a large and fluffy bun, a wide braid - there are a lot of options!

How to loosen afrokos?

As soon as necessary, you can remove the Afrokos without the help of strangers:

1. Cut strands from the ends of your hair.

2. Armed with a needle or awl, untwist the weave.

3. Gently pull the braid around the roots to release the thread.

4. Untangle the strands with your hands and take out the kanekolon thread.

5. Wash your hair with a revitalizing shampoo and a firming balm.

How to braid Afrokos yourself?

Absolutely all women know how to weave braids. In any case, you need to try very hard to find one that does not know how to divide the hair into three strands and weave them together. Afrokos differ from the usual "Russian" braid only in thickness, quantity and presence of decorating materials. It is not difficult to form such a hairstyle on your head.

To weave or not to weave is the question

A definite plus is a positive and unusual image. My pigtails were bright blue. It’s very nice, I’ll tell you, to see something funny and invigorating in the mirror, especially on Monday morning. The mood rises, the eye rejoices.

There are two main disadvantages. First: scalp irritation. Pigtails pull hair, head itches.

Second: after unraveling, the hair will have to be treated. Pigtails interfere with normal hydration, flushing and other vital processes of the hair. Immediately after you decide to rid yourself of African joy, your hairstyle will look like a washcloth, which, I must admit, is frightening and not happy.

If you nevertheless decide to please yourself and those around you with afro-braids, and the specialist does not have the opportunity to braid, I can offer a short instruction on weaving at home.

Choosing a material

Kanikolon (artificial hair) or regular threads. I have not tried to braid with kanikolon, so I will not give unverified advice. We choose any threads. The main thing is that they are thick enough and pleasant to the touch. I used acrylic thread for knitting. It took 1200 meters to braid 200 thin braids.

Preparation

For each braid, it is best to use a multiple of six threads, then you do not have to tie and hide knots. Approximately we estimate the desired length of the braid, multiply by 2 + 20 cm. For example, if you decide to weave from 6 threads, for a braid 1 m long you will need three threads 2.2 m long folded in half. The thickness of the thread itself plays a very important role. Therefore, it is advisable to calculate the exact length of the threads experimentally.

Weaving

We start at the lowest point of hair growth above the neck. Separate the horizontal row of hair with a parting. The rest can be stabbed so as not to interfere. Separate with a comb-comb one strand of the desired thickness, "square". We divide the strand into three parts, fasten the threads, weave. And so on until you run out of hair.

The tip can be sealed with a lighter or left, secured with a knot.

Care

I could only wash my hair once a week. Pigtails dry for a very long time, and I was afraid to "help" them with a hairdryer, I didn't want to increase the already negative impact.
You don't need to comb at all, and this is a plus.
Balm and masks should not be used. But you have to stock up on shampoo, and a good one. It takes an incredible amount of pigtails with threads. I do not recommend replacing the normal shampoo with some cheap muck in order to save money, because your hair is hidden under the threads, which it is advisable not to completely ruin.