yarn braids/twists

[Chameleonchick]

Okay so I think I'm going to take the plunge and do some yarn braids as my next protective style. I really rather do twists because it so much easier but I'm going for a look. Do you have any tips to share about installing them or the maintenance?

 

[Ms. Martina]

I would say go for it. I had some for two months recently, and I loved mine. I opted for longggggg thick ones. It was a fun and easy style! I had black braids on top with royal blue braids in the bottom section of my head. I wanted to try a fun color!

Here are some pictures of mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eul0L3moY5M

Here is a video with all of the info on how I did them, and how I maintained them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUTidI6OV80

 

[Foxglove]

I just put some in. I watched a million youtube videos and I'll link my favorite at the end. Tips I would say use the red heart acryllic yarn like they mentioned, definitely avoid wool yarn. I used 2 strands for my edges on the front and sides and used 3 strands everywhere else to avoid putting too much tension on my edges. I cut my strings ~45-50 inches per strand. The smaller the parts the bigger the volume at the end. I found it way easier to put these in than box braids or senegalese twists. Took me ~18 hours to get through everything.
These are mine

And here are some of the videos I watched
BlackOnyx77:
http://youtu.be/TZUUKpLOYVA
http://youtu.be/Kkzj7Xj5zoA
http://youtu.be/yVakROd05-g

MsVCharles:
http://youtu.be/u10gaD-cYyw
http://youtu.be/Y2dOHEr8W4g

Beautifulbrownbabydoll:
http://youtu.be/SbQ7WbexaGk

AfrikanHairGod:
http://youtu.be/fKUZpfuMfiE

ETA the longer your burn the more discolored the ends so I made sure to burn as little so the ends stay as close to black as possible

 

[DrC]

The day before I did mine, I was killing 2-3-4 birds with one stone I measured my yarn, cut it, and soaked it in a leave in conditioner and water, so my hair would be moisturized. I sectioned my hair off and started in the front. During wash time, I suggest putting your hair into a ponytail or a big bun if you can-they are heavy after you wash them. When I dry them, I pile it on top of my head and wrap a towel around them so they will dry faster. Letting them air dry down is torture for me


*poof*

Ms. Martina. Great!! Thank you very much for posting your video. Now I want blue braids in the back

 

[Chameleonchick]

DrC How many strands did you use per braid?

Foxglove how long do you plan to keep these in?

How often are both of you going to moisturize them?

Now that the weather is warmer do they get hot? Or are they about as hot as any other type of extension braid?

 

[DrC]

DrC How many strands did you use per braid?

Foxglove how long do you plan to keep these in?

How often are both of you going to moisturize them?

Now that the weather is warmer do they get hot? Or are they about as hot as any other type of extension braid?

I did 2 strand. I did a few as 3 strand but felt I didn't need it since it would men more yarn and heavier hair when washed. I also did my parts very small ( 1/2 inch to 1 inch) I live in the South so always hot out here. They keep me warm in the fall and winter. I pile them on top of my head in a big bun or in ponytails when the weather is warmer.

 

[Chameleonchick]

bump bump bump

 

[Chameleonchick]

bump bump bump

 

[Foxglove]

DrC How many strands did you use per braid?

Foxglove how long do you plan to keep these in?

How often are both of you going to moisturize them?

Now that the weather is warmer do they get hot? Or are they about as hot as any other type of extension braid?

Hopefully I can last 3 months but they will for sure for sure be in at least a month. I spritz them with any watery spray concentrating on the roots and the parts with my hair (right now i'm using up the rest of my rosewater and shea moisture spritz) every few days. The yarn seems to hold moisture very well and still feels super soft. It's been 2 weeks and I haven't washed yet so I can't comment on that. They're really not hot and are more lightweight than regular braids so I can't complain about that either.

 

[Rocky91]

i've done them before in the summer.
maintenance was easy, i cowashed about every other day cause i was at camp and they picked up smells quickly. wringing them out like a sweater will have them drying faster.

honestly, i really would recommend yarn twists. the look is pretty similar and the take down will leave me with my sanity cause girlllll....taking down yarn braids is possibly thee worst thing ev-er.

 

[DrC]

Woops. I forgot to add my moisture regimen. I spray them with infusium23 everyday and sprinkle a bit of water on them in the shower. I use olive oil in a nozzle bottle for my scalp every other day, and I shampoo once or twice a week with 1 part water 1 part shampoo in a nozzle bottle. I kept my first install in for 3 1/2 months.
and I co-sign with Rocky91 taking them down is torture. I'd rather have my arss lit on fire than to take them down, but I got some good growth with them