Hey guys, this is a super late post because it’s been 4 weeks since I’ve had these wool/yarn braids.
I absolutely love them! I’ve even inspired a couple of people to get them, yay me!
I think they might be my new favorite style.
One reason why I like them is that the more my real hair sticks out, the more the braids look like locs. If it were normal extensions I used, it’d look like utter crap by now but wool blends okay with my hair that’s sticking out.
My only complaint is that the ends are burnt(makes them look unnatural to me and makes it harder to style); next time I’ll ask the stylist to tie them instead.
Other than that, I’m absolutely loving having faux locs!
What I did before getting the braids done
Before doing them, I washed my hair, did a protein treatment, deep conditioned and put my hair in cornrows to stretch it(I learnt from the mistake I made of not stretching my hair when I got the full sew in).
When it was time to start braiding I took the cornrows down.
Here’s the mistake I made. I took down all the cornrows before the stylist started braiding. I should have taken them down in sections so that when she braids that section, I’ll take down another section for her to braid. That way my hair would have stayed more stretched and softer. Since I took all of them down before she started braiding, by the time she was braiding the front, my hair wasn’t as soft or stretched. It wasn’t so bad though but I will make sure to take down my cornrows in sections next time.
How I’m caring for my hair in my yarn braids
I spray them up to where my real hair stops with water, olive oil, peppermint oil and glycerin in a spray bottle. I do this every few days.
I also oil my scalp with castor oil. I was using my Shea butter mix before I got castor oil.
Now that my hair sticks out of the braids, I rub my Shea butter mix on the braids up to where my hair stops after spraying them.
I tie a scarf(it’s polyester I believe) to bed sometimes. Other times I don’t bother. My satin bonnet doesn’t fit over the braids and I don’t have a satin pillowcase or scarf.
I cowashed at the end of week 2 but I couldn’t find anyone to hold the braids up for me so I could wash only the roots and avoid getting the whole thing wet. I ended up wetting the whole thing and it was soooo freaking heavvyyy! Omg! No jokes! I felt like someone was pulling me by the hair. I thought the ones around my edges would rip out my hair and fall off. And it took forever to dry! I think I’ll just use Apple Cider Vinegar to clean it from now on or I’ll only wash if someone is there to hold the braids out of the way.
I used 12 rolls of wool and a little from the 13th roll. One roll cost N100.
Now, pictures!
This is the wool I used. I used 98% of the Babby one though. Only used the other one when the Babby ran out
I’m not really a styling guru so I wear it in only one or two ways everyday.
I redid a couple of them that I felt were pulling too much on my edges and nape.
This year I plan to grow and retain 6 inches so I’m all about low manipulation therefore protective styles will play a big role this year.
I hope to get 2-4 weeks more out of these braids. Then I’ll give my hair some resting time before I move to my next protective style. I’m thinking crotchet braids but lets wait and see.
What do you think of yarn braids? Will you try this style?
Till next time,
Growth, growth, growth!
The style looks good on you ! I haven’t tried yarn braids though . My favorite is kinky twists . I’ve learnt a lesson now about preparing my hair before doing anystyle . Maybe just maybe ill try out the yarn braids #smiles#
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Hi Kieni! Thank you! Glad you learnt something. You should definitely try the style sometime
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I have kinky twists on now. Yarn braids are definately next!!!
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Yay! Definitely try it; I hope you’ll love it like I do. Funnily enough, I’ve never done kinky twists. Lol
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You should try it sometime. u’ll luv it!
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I will!
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I lurrrrrve yarn extensions! Faux locs, twists…never tried braids with yarn tho. I read somewhere that you shouldnt use oils/conditioners with yarn as this encourages extreme build up. So I only use water. Wow I always do corn rows before adding in extensions…never knew it was a good idea!!
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It is definitely a good idea cos it keeps ur hair stretched and saves you and the hair stylist some stress. You are right about the build up thing, it’s better to use only water (or very light oils/conditioners if you absolutely must)
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Am wearing yarn braids ATM But am scared to wash my hair to avoid twisting my edges
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Hi, I would advise just cleaning your scalp with cotton wool dipped in a mix of water and apple cider vinegar. But if you must wash, please find a way to wash your scalp without getting the braids too wet so they don’t become heavy
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Please post pictures of yarn made braids for males.I have short hair and I want to do braids so using yarn is my only option at the moment
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Hi there, unfortunately I don’t have any but a quick Google search should give you some results. All the best!
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should i use hair relaxer to straighten my afro and then braid it or leave it to grow futher and braid from natural hair?
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I’m not a fan of relaxed hair on men so I think it would be better to braid your natural hair. You could blow dry it to stretch it out for the braids. The choice is yours really. Hope this helps
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I’ve done yarn braids a lot, they are my go-to hairstyle..
Looks great on you 🙂
Plus this is my first time here, tis nice to meet you
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Love yarn braids/twists too!
Thank you 😀
I hope you keep stopping by!
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I have yarn braids in a two toned inverted bob and it’s awesome. It feels like nothing I’ve ever had done before and it looks more natural. also it’s not as heavy as bulk yaki but I haven’t washed it yet so let’s see. I wish I could post a pic so you could see but it didn’t happen because I’m not sure how to do it
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This article has really been helpful…I was just thinking of a protective hair style to make to school…
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