African American Hairstyles: Extensions

Braid Extensions is a hairstyle that is very popular in the African American Community. Other people of African decent wear this hairstyle also. Braid extensions became popular in the 1990's and is an adaptation of braided hairstyles popular in the 1970's and 1980's. Many women alternate between straight styles and braided styles, while using the extensions and braided styles to give their hair a break from over handling and over processing. Others wear braided extensions all the time because it is a very easy style to manage.

Braid extensions are used for several reasons:

~Braid extensions add length and fullness to braided hairstyles. When fake or human hair is added to braids, the result is the appearance of longer hair. An extension also thickens and gives weight and fullness to the braid.

~Braid extensions protect a person's hair from excessive styling and breakage. When fake or human hair is braided into a persons own braids, it surrounds the persons hair and receives less damage wear and tear. The hairstyle also lasts longer than it would if the person's own hair was in a braided style.

~Braid extensions make hair easier to manage: when your hair is braided with extensions, it automatically becomes carefree. You can give your hair a quick wash in the shower and go about your business.

There are different types of braid extension hairstyles:

~Corn-rolled extensions are done when the hair is braided flat to the head into some kind of pattern. The extensions can be used to give length to the end of the braid, or fullness and length to the entire style.

~Individual braids (also called box braids) can be done in a thick braid, a mini braid, or a micro braid style. The amount of hair used in each braid will determine the style. All styles are very pretty, but when the hair is done in micro (very tiny) braids, it the braids are barely noticeable from a distance and the style just looks like a loose or relaxed hairstyle.

my daughter with twist extensions

Credit: dreahwrites

Copyright: Dreahwrites