how to make a braid that protects your ends

MY MOTIVATION

This is a style that I came up with about a year or two ago, and it has become one of my most frequent go to styles. I love low manipulation styles, like a easy single braid or two Pocahontas braids, because my hair stays tangled free for long periods of time. The down side, however, was that I didn't like to braid all the way down, I liked the look of my ends out--but at the same time, having my ends exposed would bother me (especially when my ends were thin). After seeing the East Indian inspired paranda braids some girls make from yarn, I was inspired to use scarves (which is better for your hair than yarn) for a time. After wearing scarf braids for a while a light bulb turned on and I had the idea to use synthetic hair.

I've never worn a wig, weave, or any kind of fake hair, so I guess I was hesitant at first. I'm so glad I did follow through on my idea now. What makes this style so great is that it's low manipulation and a protective because it keeps your hair from tangling and your ends are tucked in. Plus it gives you a slight length booth, and for those with thin ends, make yours ends look fuller.

LOW MANIPULATION 

& PROTECTIVE STYLE BRAID TUTORIAL

step one - Have your synthetic hair and a hair tie handy.

step two - Braid your hair until the point where you want to insert the synthetic hair, which should be where the ends of the synthetic hair ends a little further than your real ends when aligned.

step 3 -  Insert the synthetic hair by holding it at the middle and placing it against two of the three strands being braided (I usually pick the thinner or shorter looking two strands).

step 4 - Continue to braid the hair like normal until you near the end.

step 5 - For the one strand of hair that doesn't have synthetic hair blended into it, borrow synthetic hair from one of the other two.

step 6 - Finish braid until there is only synthetic hair left out and then secure with the hair tie.


And that's it! Writing it makes it sound more complicated then it actually is, hopefully the animated gif helps. I bought my synthetic hair at a local beauty supply for $2-3. The label says 'Glance: Yaky Pony Braids,' and the color is 1B--natural, brown undertone black.