What are Brazilian Hair Extensions?

Your hair is rebelling and crying out for help. Ok, maybe this isn’t you, but you have over-permed and under-maintained your hair, to the point the tell-tale signs are showing – dullness, lackluster, brittle texture, and tangled, split ends. It might also just be that it’s time for change but you’re not ready yet for anything radical.

Your best friend suggested you try a Brazilian hair weave. Girlfriend did her best to try to explain, but not a whole lot made sense.

So, here’s what it’s about. Hair extensions are artificial hair integrations that add length and fullness to human hair using different methods: tape in, clip in/on, fusion, weaving.

Virgin Brazilian hair is free from perms, dyes, bleaching and coloring and has all the cuticles intact. It’s the best type of hair to use for weave extensions because of its:

Versatility – can be styled in different ways. It’s thickness fuses seamlessly with your natural hair.

Volume – Brazilian hair has a natural bounce and fullness; makes your hair extensions look and feel like your natural hair.

Durability – When cared for properly, Brazilian human hair can last up to six months. It’s naturally strong and damage-resistant because it’s free of harsh chemicals.

Versatile, voluminous, durable – Brazilian hair bundles are the extensions of choice for most women

There are historians on every topic. Hair is no exception. The first hair weave was a combination of human hair mixed with dyed wool. The Egyptians in those days installed the extensions using beeswax, resin, and braids.

We learned from hair historians Lori L. Tharps and Ayana D. Byrd that the weave was invented and patented in the 1950s by an African-American hairdresser named Cristina Jenkins.

In 1980, Cristina Jenkins made a significant change to her weaving technique by creating hair with more “flow” – a major improvement on the stiff, static hair used in her initial technique.

Hair varieties abound, so it’s important to know the kind of Brazilian human hair that you’re buying.

Brazilian straight hair – gives a sleek, luxurious look that requires minimum effort.

Brazilian body wave hair – very soft and luscious; able to go from straight to wavy and back again, with chameleon ease.

Brazilian loose wave hair – gives beautiful curls; the perfect back-drop for that carefree and flirty, girly-girl, notice-me look.

Brazilian deep wave hair – extremely versatile; soft and spiraling hair that’s visually attractive; full of body and bounce that’s unique to Brazilian hair.

Brazilian curly hair – Kinky, coily, tight curls that produce a lot of volume; matches your desired look to help your personality shine through.

Mink Brazilian hair is all the rage now. The French call it la nouvelle tendance – definitely trending.

To help you take more informed decisions, it makes sense to know how the Brazilian hair extension is applied and removed. There are several DIY extension styles that you can install and remove at home by yourself:

• Clip-In Hair Extensions
• Tape-In Hair Extensions
• Pre-bonded Extensions
• Micro-Link Extensions

Common FAQs about Brazilian hair extensions

Q: With so many kinds of hair extensions available, how do I know which is good and which isn’t?
A: If the weft is very thick or very thin, that’s usually a sign that it’s not good quality hair. If you purchase 14 inches of hair, then when you stretch it out, it should be 14 inches not 12, and no jagged, ragged ends. Also, read the reviews. Quality hair speaks for itself. The reviews will definitely point you in the right direction on choosing hair extensions.

Q: What exactly is virgin hair?
A: Virgin Hair is the natural state of hair; free from chemical changes and applied color.

Q: Can I straighten or curl virgin hair extensions?
A:Yes. Treat you virgin hair extensions like your own hair. You can use thermal tools to straighten, crimp, and curl.

Q: What’s a weft?
A: A single weft is when only one line of hair is sewn to one mesh. A double weft is when two single wefts are sewn together on one mesh of hair.

Q: What’s the right way to measure Brazilian hair extensions?
A: Each texture needs to be measured differently. Measure each according to how the hair falls. Starting from 0 at the weft, measure all the way to the ends of the bundle. For the Brazilian Wavy and Brazilian Curly hair extensions, measure by pulling the hair straight.

Q: Can I color my hair?
A: Yes, but preferably by a professional. But if the hair is chemically altered, it’s easier for the cuticle to become damaged and overexposed, leading to breakage, tangling, dryness and fraying.

Q: What’s co-washing?
A: Using conditioner as a wash instead of shampoo, to keep extensions healthy and durable.

Lessons Learned – What I did wrong

Bought the wrong texture: my hair looked so fake. It was embarrassing.
I should have: chosen a texture that blended well with my natural hair.

Dyed my Brazilian hair myself: with one of those drugstore dyes, but it didn’t match my hair color.
I should have: gone to a professional to do it. Pennywise and pound foolish? Absolutely.

Neglected my natural hair when I first started wearing extensions. My hairline became extremely thin.
I should have: taken better care of my natural hair.

To get the best from your Brazilian hair extensions:

DO

• feel free to be creative – curl, tong, and straighten.
• co-wash your hair extensions.
• try a dye if it catches your fancy, but seek a professional.

DON’T

• use products that contain alcohol. They dry out hair extensions.
• sleep with hair extensions wet. This will promote tangling and matting,
• buy any hair extension just because your friend said so.

If you’re considering hair extensions, invest in good quality hair like virgin Brazilian hair extensions. Black Hairspot has tons of resources to help you. Understanding your hair and Elements of any good weave, are good starting points. Thoughts, comments? Your opinion is important. Voice it.