Hair weave
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hair weaves are a form of hair extensions. Hair weaves can either enhance a hairstyle or give a completely differentt look.
Supplies typically used for creating hair weaves are:
- Thick thread (preferably a color that matches the color of the hair) to attach the hair weft securely.
- A long and/or curved needle, which could be a smaller upholstery needle.
- Hair glue specifically made for hair weaves. The glue can be easily washed out using a special shampoo/conditioner that will remove the glue without taking the real hair out. A special glue remover may also be used.
- Hair extensions. Depending on the thickness and the look desired, it's best to get two. Some people can get away with just one to one-and-a-half bags. Depending on the weaving technique, the wearer can either use hair wefts or individual strands.
Other types of extensions that can be added to the hair include ponytails, or ponytail pieces.
Just as any wig or wigpiece, the colors for hair to be weaved can range from "realistic" colors, such as red, black, brown and blonde, to other colors such as pink, blue and green. How creative the wearer wants to be is up to him or her.
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[edit] Weft
Hair which is sewn at the top end either by machine or hand is said to be weft. Hair sewn by machines are known as machine weft and similarly hand sewn hair is termed as hand-weft. Any weft hair usually weighs around 100 grams. Depending on the hair's quality it is categorized into various groups. These include Remi weft and Non Remi weft hair.
[edit] Remi Weft
Remi Hair is also popularly referred to as ‘virgin hair’, and is extremely popular in various parts of the world. Remi Hair can be categorized in the ‘premium’ segment, as far as hair quality is concerned. Remi Hair is bundled in such a manner that the roots of the hair are on one side and the tip of the hair on the opposite side. Since all the hairs are placed in the same direction, the hairs remain undisturbed , making them more durable and long lasting.
For commercial purposes, Remi Hair is categorized into two types:
Remi Hair Single Drawn: This type of Remi Hair is taken out directly from the scalp by shaving the head. Care is taken to remove the very short hair, with the longer hair, found in different hair length, giving a pony tail like appearance.
Remi Hair Double Drawn: This type of hair is the finest quality with the same wave length in a piece. The hairs are arranged with equal lengths. There will not be any short hair in a piece.
Quality A: These are an expensive type of weft hair made up of Indian Virgin Remi hair. This type is unidirectional and characterized by double drawn hair, where the whole weave is made up of hairs of the same length.
Quality B: This type is again made up of special double drawn hair, virgin Remi Hair, and is unidirectional. The length of hairs though may vary by up to 1-2 inches.
Quality C: This is the finest quality of weft hair. The cuticles are intact and are unidirectional. The entire weave contains hairs of different length.
[edit] Non Remi Wefts
Non Remi Hair is perhaps the most popular and commonly available form of hair. Non Remi Hair is also known as ‘fallen hair’. The roots and tips of hairs are all mixed up in Non Remi Hair. Tangling is a problem as a result of this, but still since they are inexpensive, they are the largest selling kind of hair in the world.
Non Remi Hair comes in two types. They are as follows:
Tangle Free Non Remi Hair: This type of non remi hair is obtained by shaving off the cuticles or the ends. This process reduces the chances of friction among hairs and what remains is tangle free hair.
Normal Non Remi Hair: This is probably the least expensive kind of hair. The cuticles are present in different directions and the hair is prone to tangling problems.
Single Drawn This is slightly less quality than the double drawn. The hairs will have 2" difference in the tip that is some hair in a piece will be 2" shorter than the original length.
Non-Remi Double Drawn This is like remi double drawn quality where all the hair will be of the same length. This is a good quality hair type.
Quality A: This type of hair consists of tangle free non remi hair with the cuticles shaved off or smoothened out. The entire weft consists of hairs of the same length, with no short hair. This is a premium quality weft.
Quality B: This is the next quality in wefts made up of non remi hair. They are also tangle free and have their cuticles shaved off. They are made up of special double drawn hair, with hair length of two inch difference, with no short hair.
Quality C: This is the final quality of wefts , made up of tangle free non remi hair . The cuticles are again shaved off and the hair used is single drawn. This makes the entire weft have hairs of different length.
[edit] Synthetic Hair
Synthetic hair is made of a wide array of different synthetic fibers. Synthetic hair, just as human hair, comes in weave (weft) and single strands for braids. Most stylists do not recommend using synthetic hair for weaving because it does not last as long as human hair because it tends to easily tangle and frizz out uncontrollably. However the quality of hair varies greatly, and if well maintained, synthetic hair can look as good as, if not better than human hair. Synthetic hair is much less expensive than human hair. The costs can range from $10.00 to $20.00 per package, depending on quality of hair, length, brand etc.
Heating appliances such as curling irons and straightening combs generally should not be used on synthetic hair. There are newer versions of synthetic hair from some brands that claim to allow styling with lower temperatures of heating appliances. Synthetic hair is usually shaped into styles by using the steam from boiling water to set the hair. This is primarily done for synthetic braids however with the huge array of curly and waved braid styles, the steam or boiling water method is almost redundant. Typically when the synthetic hair is shaped it's best not to change it too much because, as stated earlier, it will tangle and frizz out.
[edit] Human Hair
Most human hair used for weaves is derived from the continent of Asia (China, India, and to a very small degree, Southeastern Russia). People in the third world grow their hair for sale to specialty buyers who sell it to manufacturers. Lower-quality "human hair" extensions are often diluted with animal and synthetic hair to lower the price. Yak hair has all the properties of African/African American human hair and can be curled, permed, relaxed, and colored. Human hair is, however, more versatile than synthetic hair because it can be colored, relaxed, or curled with heating appliances just as one would do with his or her own hair. But, many people are allergic to yak hair so suppliers are using human hair treated to mimic the African/African American texture. As the weave wearer would want the hair to match the texture of his/her hair in its present condition (relaxed, curly, or straight), weave hair comes in a variety of textures: yaki (closely resembles relaxed African-American hair texture), silky (resembling very straight Asian hair), European texture hair straight (Europeans do not sell their hair, so called "European hair" comes from India and China), curly (ranges from tight corkscrew curls to the varying degrees of wavy), and crimped (very small, sharp waves). There are different grades of hair. The highest grade comes from young donors, is gently processed, careful not to damage the cuticles, and of "Remy" designation. Remy means the hair's cuticles are facing the direction in which they grew. Poorly processed hair can also be Remy. Let the buyer beware.
The same maintenance that one would apply to his or her own hair should be applied to the human hair to keep it in good condition.
High quality 100% human hair is more expensive than hair mixed with other materials (synthetic hair is most common).
[edit] Indian Hair and European Hair
Indian Hair has its own inherent advantages: it is simultaneously thin and strong.
European Hair is the most popular form of hair. It has a uniquely thick and soft texture. Adequate care must be taken as the market is flooded with fakes.
There is also a widespread misconception that soft and silky hair is the best quality. Any type of hair can be made soft and silky through the use of certain conditioners or oil like silicon oil.
[edit] Hair Weaving Techniques
There are many techniques to weaving hair. The most common way is for it to be sewn on to very small cornrows or the stylist can use a heating applicance to fuse the hair segment onto very small sections of hair.
Bonding
Bonding is a popular temporary weaving method and a great way to add volume or vibrant streaks of color to your natural hair. Tracks of hair are glued to the roots of your own hair with a special adhesive. To prevent damage to your natural hair, tracks shouldn't be left in longer than a week or two.
Tracking
First, natural tresses are braided around the head in concentric circles. The braids are sewn down, then extensions are sewn to the braids. Eight to fifteen tracks are needed for a full head. Care for this style as you would your natural hair, washing at least once a week. Prices range from about $15 to $35 per track.
To sew the weave hair, the hair must be braided into cornrows. The hair may also be braided into a zig zag shape to make things easier and quicker. The wearer may leave out a section of hair if she/he wants a part or half the hair weaved. So the hair won't appear lumpy, the hair is sewn horizonally across the head from one side to the other, starting from the bottom. If the hair is to have a parting, it's recommended that a weft of hair is glued as close as possible to part in the hair that separates the braids and the hair that the wearer left out. After those steps are finished, the wearer can have the weave hair cut or styled however he or she wants with her/his own hair blending in.
Fusion
The fusion method delivers one of the most versatile and believable weaves on the market. With this technique, a machine similar to a hot glue gun is used to adhere human hair extensions to individual strands of your natural hair (about the same size as a micro braid) for a truly authentic look. With a fusion weave, you can wash your hair every week and use products like gels and mousse to style. This is one of the most time-consuming (8 to 16 hours) and expensive methods (prices range from about $800 to $1,800).
To use a heating appliance, individual strands of hair are used. Hair is sectioned out as if the client is getting skinny individual braids. The appliance is heated to the correct temperature. The stylist attaches a section of the human hair to the client's sectioned hair. Depending on the style, a half head of fused hair could take about 20 sections. A full head could use about 50 sections.
The heating applicance can cost from $100.00 upwards. It is highly recommended that a trained and certified stylist use this technique because of potential hair loss and skin burning from the appliance may occur.
Recently cold fusion extensions made of 100% human hair (no yak hair dilution) have been introduced. These hair extensions do not require any heating elements, as the intense heat used to apply traditional hair extensions may damage them.
Netting
This technique involves braiding natural tresses under a thin, breathable net that serves as a flat surface onto which stylists can weave extensions. Netting provides more flexibility than track placement because the stylist is not limited to sewing extensions to a braid. This style can last for up to three months if properly maintained. To care for your hair, wash it once a week and invest in a hooded hair dryer or heated cap for at-home maintenance. "You want to make sure your hair is completely dry so it will not mildew under the net,"
Clip In and Clip On Hair Extensions
This technique is the least permanent and can be very effective without the negative things such as traction alopecia associated with glue extensions. The hair weft has small toupee clips sewn onto them. Usually a set of clip in extensions average eight strips of human hair in varying widths from two inches to eight inches. Usually starting at the nape of the neck the hair is sectioned neatly, then the weft is places onto this section with the clips open, and facing the scalp. Each clip is snapped into place. It can be useful to lightly backcomb each section for a more secure grip. This is repeated until each clip in weft is in place. It is best to style both your own hair and a the hair extensions before fitting them to your head. The clip ins can be worn all day and all night, however, they must be removed before sleeping. Some people wear clip ins just for nights out and others will wear them everyday to work. This shows the versatility of this type of hair extension.
