So many women have misconceptions about the type of weave to purchase and how to maintain it. A responsible woman can keep a good sew-in weave for at least 3 months. Yes, 3 months. I usually keep my sew-in for 3-4 months, depending on the season (I can go 4 months in the winter). I get a lot of questions about the type of weave I get, how to take care of it, and etc. This blog is to answer all of those inquiries.
Indian Hair: If you’re looking for the best quality hair, you will need to make an investment. Virgin Indian Hair is the best grade of hair to purchase. The term “virgin” means unprocessed, chemical free. The hair is at the most natural state. It came straight off of an Indian donor’s scalp the way it is. Virgin Indian Hair can cost anywhere between $300-$750 (that’s for 2-3 bundles). The term “bundle” mean the bulk of hair, which is usually 4-6 ounces. 1 bundle is the equivalent to 1 pack of beauty supply store hair. 1 bundle (anywhere from 14 inches – 26 inches) cost between $125 – $250. Indian hair can also be dyed or bleached. Indian hair can be reused for at least 1 year. When your stylist sew it in, she needs to sew it without cutting the tracks, otherwise it will be hard to remove and reuse again.
- Curly or “Spanish Wave”: This hair is naturally curly. It’s the “wet & go” look. The hair is very versatile and can be worn naturally curly or straightened with a flat iron. This grade of hair is the hardest to get bone straight.
- Wavy or “Body Wave”. This hair is very wavy and light. It can be worn wavy, straightened with a flat iron or curled with a curling iron. This is best type of hair to get if you’re looking for something to give you many looks, without too much hassle.
- Straight: This hair is straight with a subtle natural wave to it. The hair is very flat and suggested to be cut in layers for body. The only way you will get the supreme wavy look with this hair is if you braid it into 2 braids for 8 hours.
Packaged Hair: If you’re not ready to purchase Indian hair, you can purchase packaged hair from your local beauty supply store. Packaged hair can cost anywhere between $75 – $150 per pack. You cannot process this hair with dyes or bleaching and you can only use it once. The way the hair came, is the way you need to wear it. Unless it’s straight and you can curl it sometimes with a hot curler. The best packaged hair to get is Saga Gold or Saga Platinum.
Shampoo: John Frieda Frizz Ease Smooth Start Shampoo – Be gentle with the hair when you wash it. Do not wringe, pull or squeeze tightly. This prevents the hair from breaking away from the weft (that’s what cause the shedding). Wash and rinse 2 times.
Conditioner: John Frieda Frizz Ease Smooth Start Repairing Conditioner – Leave it in for 5-10 minutes then rinse out thoroughly.
Scalp Treatment: Squeeze Infusium 23 Leave-In conditioner into your roots so it can moisturize your scalp/real hair, and to prevent flakes/itching. Try not to let all of it get into your actual weave. Nothing bad will happen, but the less product you leave in the weave, the better the outcome.
Coloring/Bleaching: Bigen is the safest product to dye Virgin Indian Hair black. 3 bottles, leave the dye in for about 3-4 hours though. My weave is still silky, didn’t lose it’s texture, and it’s not tangled. It’s best to use because it has no ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. Bleaching the weave does the same exact thing as it does when you bleach your own hair: it strips the hair of it’s color and thickness. I would highly advise against bleaching, but if you must, purchase the lightest color weave possible so you wouldn’t have to bleach it as much.
