This type of hair design, like African braids, still remains relevant and in demand. This is a practical and stylish hairstyle that suits many representatives of the fair sex. You can add weaving with bright strands, ribbons, threads.
A bit of history
According to experts, the history of Afrokos counts several millennia, and, more precisely, more than 5 thousand years. Historians note that in the epoch of ancient Egypt, the inhabitants braided their hair into tight braids resembling African braids. This method of weaving had a practical purpose. In conditions of constant heat, it was difficult and problematic to care for hair, given the lack of cosmetics and conditions of normal hygiene.
In some countries, weaving thin and durable braids was considered a ritual and had a sacred meaning. Thus, in the distant past, people protected themselves from evil spirits, misfortunes and illnesses. Certain peoples who preserve and honor age-old traditions still have similar rituals.
The name "African" braids received as a result of migration. White-skinned residents of the hot continent brought with them fashion trends associated with curly and braided hair. After that, this style began to copy the indigenous people, imitating the appearance of Europeans.
Advantages and disadvantages
This popular and popular hairstyle has certain advantages and disadvantages. With them you should definitely get acquainted before decorating yourself with a large number of dense braids.
First consider the advantages of this type of hairstyle.
- Appearance. Neatly decorated weaving looks stylish. Opinions about beauty are different for everyone, however, most girls and women find this hairstyle attractive.
- Care. Afrokos owners do not need to spend a lot of time washing their hair, unlike girls who prefer to wear loose hair.
- Hair length. This is a universal weave for any length. Even if you have a quarantine, you can decorate yourself in an original way. Zizi African braids can be woven with a minimum length of 5 centimeters.
- Diversity. There are many options for weaving braids. Each technique has a different appearance.
Nevertheless, there are a few drawbacks.
- Face shape. Chubby girls, it is desirable to abandon this hairstyle. There are many haircuts and styling for a round face, but African braids are a bad choice.
- Hairstyles After you decorate yourself with this kind of hair weaving, your choice of hairstyles will be significantly reduced. We'll have to abandon the wavy curls, curls and a variety of images for romantic meetings. However, a certain number of hairstyles for African weaving is still available.
- Hair condition In a state of dense tow, the hair becomes very weak. If you have dry and thin hair, they can deteriorate badly after afrokos. Remember that in this state the strands do not receive the necessary care.
Who is suitable?
To look great and attract the looks of others with stylish and trendy pigtails, you need to determine exactly who they will fit.From a visual point of view, this hairstyle will appeal to young and cheerful girls who prefer the original and modern style of clothing.
If you have recently dyed your hair, made highlights or did a perm, weaving of this type is recommended to refuse. Also, this is not the best choice for owners of fragile and weak hair.
If you are going on vacation at sea, know that because of salt water will have to significantly reduce the toe. Moreover, the salt will constantly accumulate in pigtails.
As soon as the fashion for African braids came to the territory of the CIS, only teenage girls initially decorated themselves with them. Now they are chosen and older girls, however, for adult women, this style is not suitable.
Experts strongly do not recommend choosing the option with curly strands, if the hair is longer than 10 centimeters, otherwise the braids will be constantly confused. When using additional artificial curls, remember that attaching them to short hair can be difficult or almost impossible.
Most often, African braids weave for long hair, however, on short haircuts, they can also look appropriate. The main thing is to choose the right technique.
Necessary tools and materials
If you are going to braid braids at home, you need to pick up special tools and materials for work.
The following attributes are required:
- comb made of plastic with soft and rare teeth;
- various fastening elements (special formulations, thin rubber bands, etc.);
- artificial strands of various colors (if you want to make braids with threads, prepare them).
Bright and original braids are obtained by weaving the strands of Kanekalon into the hair. These are curls of artificial threads, which in appearance and structure resemble natural hair. They contain substances derived from seaweed.
The colors of this material can be varied: from natural and natural tones to flashy and flashy options. The choice is very large, you can choose the perfect style for a specific idea or image.
The price of strands may vary depending on the quality, manufacturer and composition. It is necessary to change strands immediately, as they began to lose their attractive appearance.
Types and techniques of performance
Given the growing popularity of African braids, many varieties of weaving have appeared. Consider the most popular options.
Classic
First, we denote the most common and popular option. In this case, you get neat, smooth and durable pigtails, which for a long time retain their shape. This style is great for further experiments with hairstyles. Weave them easy. The technique is the same as for ordinary braids, only their sizes are much smaller, and the number is larger.
Brades
In appearance, such braids look like spikelets. They are also called French braids. Their number varies from 10 to 30 units, depending on the thickness of the hair and creative intent. Weaving of this type preserves the beauty and integrity of about 2 weeks. If in the process of creating artificial curls were used, braids can decorate a girl for about a month.
Zizi
Recently, this option is rapidly gaining popularity. Weaving this look not only looks stylish, but also saves time. To decorate the head with 600 pigtails, you need to spend from 4 to 6 hours. The more experienced the master, the faster the work will be.
Due to the fact that artificial hairs are superimposed over natural hair, the length can be different. Zizi braids are suitable even for short hair. The result is a dense braid that remarkably retains its shape for a long time.
Senegalese braids
In appearance and weaving technique, this design option is more like a tow.In the process of weaving several strands (2 or 3) are twisted and fixed. As for the quantity, it is close to the classic and pigtails like zizi.
When choosing this hairstyle, it is necessary to carry out the correction at least once a month or when necessary. On the head you can draw a few hundred braids. It can be thick bundles or small and thin bundles in large quantities.
Ponital
Such a decoration option can preserve beauty for 4 months, with neat wearing and careful care. Outwardly, this style is very similar to the classic one, however, there is a significant visual difference. At the end of each pigtail remains a long and loose curl. This adds to the image of tenderness and sophistication.
Due to the fact that not all hairs are woven into a braid, the process of grooming and styling is more complicated, but the final result is worth the effort and time spent.
Thai weaving
This style is often confused with the popular version of zizi or braids, however, Thai braids are woven exclusively on natural hair. Artificial strands and other additions do not use. This style can be chosen only for girls with long and strong hair.
Corrugated
If you make a lot of braids on your head in the above style, you get an effect resembling a perm. When creating a hairstyle, curly, artificial curls are attached to the native hair. The result is a magnificent head of hair. The work will have to spend from 2 to 3 hours, depending on the thickness and length of natural hair.
Despite the fact that there are a large number of different styles of African braids, weaving techniques are almost the same.
If you choose a weave of three curls, then you have the following options:
- braid the side strands inside the braid, through the top;
- braid the side strands inside out, carefully twisting;
- make a harness of three strands, twisting each curl separately, and then among themselves.
If you choose Senegalese braids, you can use the technique of weaving a tow of two strands. It is similar to the technique of three curls, the difference is only in quantity.
The classical arrangement of the parting involves placing braids near, without indents, covering the entire head (except for the forehead area, if the hairstyles with bangs), including the temples and the back of the head.
Popular colors
Colored African braids are perfect for bold and catchy youth looks. When making hairstyles with colored strands and threads, a large variety of colors and shades are used. Consider the most popular ones.
- Pink. This color is perfect for young girls with a cheerful character. You can choose any shade - from delicate and pastel to rich and catchy.
- Light green This gentle tone is perfect for girls with dark skin. The result is a contrast effect. Color will stand out noticeably against black or white clothes. He also perfectly complement the colorful image.
- Black and white. Classic colors are always in fashion. They look stylish, spectacular and just beautiful. Owners of long black hair who wish to diversify their appearance, often adorn themselves with African braids. The same applies to blonde fashionistas. Owners of white and bleached hair can weave black strands, creating an expressive contrast effect.
- Red. If you like to attract attention to yourself, stop your choice on red pigtails. Red strands are perfect for owners of red hair.
- Violet. This mysterious and enchanting color retains its relevance from season to season. Strands in this color look especially good with dark hair.
You can make an ombre effect using strands painted in several colors. Another such style is achieved by dyeing natural hair and further weaving.
How to care?
With proper care, afrokosy can stay for several months.This is a simple process that includes certain rules. It is enough to wash your hair only once a week. In winter, the frequency can be reduced, and in the summer to increase, due to hot weather It is best to use a sponge and use it to thoroughly wash the hair at the roots, eliminating fat and dust.
During this period, the use of masks, balms and other similar compounds is not recommended. They fluff hair, with the result that the weaving loses its elasticity and accuracy. During the washing process, thoroughly rinse the braids several times so that the shampoo particles do not accumulate between the strands.
If you feel discomfort while wearing, rinse the braids in the chamomile broth. This will help get rid of such unpleasant symptoms as itching and irritation. Remember that such a reaction of the scalp is quite natural, especially if you are the first time adorned themselves with African braids.
Classic braids can be worn for up to three months. If you want to extend the time of wearing, it is necessary to carry out the correction of weaving in the area of the temples and crown.
Afrocos hairstyles
Despite the fact that weaving braids limits the number of possible hairstyles, some of them remain available.
- Big Spit. Collect pigtails in one big and thick. This can be either standard weaving or French. You can also draw 2 braids, on both sides.
- Gulki. Collect the pigtails in one or two buns. As a result, you get a stylish and practical hairstyle for every day. You can also use not all the pigtails, leaving the part hanging loose.
- Tail. African braids, collected in high tail, look spectacular and stylish. This option is better to choose for long hair.
- Wreath. If you like feminine images, pay attention to the wreath of African braids. Braid a part of the braids into a spikelet and carefully lay it at the top of the head.
Reviews
African braids are a popular and stylish decor suitable for hair of various lengths and thicknesses. The network has collected a lot of opinions on this type of weaving. Given the fact that the fashion for them returns, many modern fashionistas recommends trying out such an image on yourself and experimenting with the appearance.
Among the advantages of the fair sex emit an original appearance, practicality and simple care, which does not require much time and cost. As minuses note the fact that a long stay in tight braids weakens hair. They need time to renew their forces. It is also advisable to undergo a rehabilitation course using cosmetic preparations.
How to braid African braids at home, see the video below.