Kanekalon braiding hair has revolutionized the hairstyling world, with immense possibilities for creating versatile, durable, and stylish braids. Being a synthetic fiber that mimics natural hair texture, it has become a favorite among braiding enthusiasts and professionals alike. However, specific styling techniques need to be utilized for effective work with this type of braiding hair. Whether you are a novice or an expert stylist, learning these top 5 techniques will make braids sleek, long-lasting, and protective for the natural hair.
Pre-Stretching Kanekalon Hair For Natural-Looking Braids
One of the crucial processes of styling Kanekalon braiding hair is the pre-stretching. Pre-stretched hair gives a more natural, tapered look to your braids, such that you do not have to manually trim and adjust the ends. Many Kanekalon hair products these days now come pre-stretched, but if you work with raw Kanekalon hair, then it might be good for you to be able to do this yourself:
How To Pre-Stretch Kanekalon Hair?
Step 1: Cut the Kanekalon hair bundle to your desired length.
Step 2: Take one strip of hair and wrap it around your finger, then take the other end and hold it at one end.
Step 3: Trim off the remaining end with very minimal bulk added
Step 4: This should be done to all sections before you start braiding
Pre-stretching of hair makes installation easy, lets you get a natural finish, and you don’t end up with uneven braids from root to end.
Soaking Braids In Hot Water For Sealing And Flexibility
Once you are through braiding, sealing of the ends will be essential, in your braids will hold up for a longer period. You are bound to get the best deal when you dip them in hot water. This makes the Kanekalon hair soft and, to a large extent, sets it, thus giving your braids a sleek finish and, at the same time, preventing unraveling.
It reduces frizz. Hot water, which you are aware of, flattens the hair, thus there will be no fluffy appearance of your braids.
Seals the ends. Your braids will not have loose ends because this method seals them in the ends.
It adds flexibility. Dipping braids into hot water makes them more pliable, and you can put them in particular shapes or even patterns like curls or waves.
How To Safely Dip Braids In Hot Water?
Step 1: Boil a pot of water. Do not boil it since it will burn your hair.
Step 2: Carefully dip the end part of your braids into the hot water for about 15 – 20 seconds.
Step 3: Dry the braids on a towel and cool them off
This way, you seal your Kanekalon braids and the lifespan increases while looks are improved at the same time.
Shine And Softness Adding With The Use Of Mousse And Hair Oil
At times, Kanekalon braiding hair may feel stiff or unnatural directly from the pack. To remedy this, one should use mousse and hair oil, which add shine and softness to your braids. This step enhances the overall look of your braids and gives them an overall moist feeling while preventing the buildup of oil or moisture, which could make synthetic hair dry up or get wiry over time.
How To Apply Mousse And Hair Oil?
- Apply Mousse: After braiding, apply light-texture mousse on your scalp and into your braids. Run your fingers down the length of your braids to help smooth the mousse and tame flyaways while adding shine.
- Use Hair Oil: Use a natural oil-argan or jojoba. Use a little bit on the scalp to moisturize and brush gently over the braids for an effect that gives them a softness. This will not only keep you healthy but also keep the braids new-looking for much longer.
Headbands Or Knotless Techniques As Protection For Your Scalp
One of the worries when styling braiding hair made from Kanekalon is how not to harm your scalp or edges. It’s said that tight braiding strains the scalp, and repeated action causes breakage or even hair loss.
To prevent this, many stylists say to use rubber bands and avoid knotting braids.
- Rubber Band Method
This technique does not put too much strain on your scalp because rubber bands secure your smaller portions of hair before any Kanekalon hair is attached to the braid. Thus, the hair does not pull directly on the root, and this avoids the sensation of strain and pain.
- The Knotless Braiding Technique
The most common reason why people like knots-less braids is because they are gentle on the scalp. Unlike tying a knot at the backside, when you do knots-less braids, you feed in your Kanekalon hair gradually and allow the weight to be distributed, not putting so much strain on the scalp.
Benefits Of Knotless Braids
- Scalp tension is not as severe.
- Have a natural look without visible knots.
- They last longer due to the gradual feeding method.
- Both styles are excellent at ensuring the scalp remains healthy and braids comfortable all day long.
Styling And Care For Long-Lasting Braids
To get more out of your Kanekalon braiding hair, you will need to implement creative styling and correct maintenance. Some styles usually applied with Kanekalon hair in braids involve a high pony or half-up, half-down style besides elaborate updos.
- Box Braids: A classic style that stands for any occasion, box braids are one of the most versatile styles that are easy to restyle in hundreds of ways.
- Cornrows: Sleek, stylish, neat and polished. Even someone who is not a fan of long hair would love this neat and clean style.
- Goddess Braids: These are more relaxed and romantic braids because they have bigger, looser braids.
- Feed-In Braids: A knotless technique in which Kanekalon hair is gradually fed into the braids to produce the most natural, seamless look.
Conclusion
These top 5 techniques added to your styling routine will not only make your Kanekalon braids look better and last longer but also help the health of your natural hair underneath. With good mastery of these methods, you can get sleek, professional results each time you braid.
