Ways To Turn Straight Hair Into Afro Hair – smartesthairstyles.com – Many straight-haired people look at afros with jealousy. It may seem difficult, but it is possible to perm your straight hair into a luxuriously full afro. You can also do it at home by braiding your hair. Perms create more of a tightly curled afro look, while the braiding method gives you a curled wave pattern. The best way to decide which method is right for you is to decide what type of style you want to achieve.
- How to start
Choose the style you want for your afro hair. Once you know what look you’re going for, you can figure out the best way to achieve it. You should find out if your desired style requires growing or cutting your hair. If so, it’s better to cut your hair beforehand so you have less hair to transition into your afro look.
Cut or grow your hair to the length you want. To create an afro with straight hair, it is best to start with a length of at least 4-6 inches. Your hair must be long enough to be braided or pinned into poles. If your hair is longer than 12 inches, you can trim the hair if your goal is to achieve an afro that stands up.
Wash your hair with your regular shampoo. Rinse your hair thoroughly. It’s important to start with clean hair that is free of natural oils. Clean hair also makes it easier to work with your hair when you put it in braids or in curlers.
- Like a perm
Get a perm at a salon. Observe the techniques the stylists use. Watch them put the curlers in your hair. This way, even after your perm has grown out, you can get temporary tight curls at home by wrapping your hair around small perm rods when wet.
If your hair has been chemically treated – like it’s been colored or straightened – a perm may not be the best solution for you. The extra chemicals can damage your hair and cause it to break. However, you can still get a temporary set of perm wands.
Request the smallest curlers possible. Your stylist uses a set of plastic perm wands to give you a perm. Small rods are best for creating the tightest afro. If the rods are too big, your perm will only achieve a wavy look instead of the afro look you’re aiming for.
Wait a few days for the perm to set. Do not wash or comb your hair for a day or two immediately after the perm. Leaving the perm on will make the perm’s effects last longer and keep your hair healthy.
Comb out your tresses with a wide-toothed pointed comb to separate the curls. The goal is to loosen the curls just enough to backcomb them.
You can also use your fingers to gently separate the curls.
Expand the curls by combing them with a fine-toothed comb. You can also use a 3 row teasing brush. This further separates the curls and gives your hair a fuller Afro look.
Hold a small section of hair taut with your fingers. Smaller sections add volume to your hair but take a little longer.
Use a fine-toothed comb or 3-row teasing brush to gently comb the hair down toward your scalp. Apply just enough pressure to create a few tangles, but not so much that the hair breaks.
Repeat until the section is at the desired volume.
Design your afro. Drop your combs! Shape your afro hair with your hands and a pointed comb. Apply hairspray only when needed to improve hold. Since curly hair tends to get dry, you can apply a light shine spray regularly to keep your hair moisturized and shiny.
- How to braid
Part your hair into at least 6 or 8 even sections, from the forehead to the nape of the neck. Use a comb to achieve a precise part. Working with slightly damp hair might also make it easier. You can use hair ties or clips to hold the sections while you create them.
Cornrows each strand of hair. Ask for help if you’re having a hard time braiding your own hair. Depending on how many sections you want to braid, this step can take several hours so appreciate the help and company.
If your braid is more than half an inch thick, you will need to section your hair into smaller widths. A braid that is too thick will only result in wavy hair. Do smaller sections of tighter braids to give yourself the fullest afro possible.
Wet your hair again and apply a styling product. A volumizing mousse or setting lotion will help create tight, long-lasting curls.
To make this step easier, you can make a solution of 20% setting lotion or gel and 80% water and saturate the braids with it.
Cover your hair with a satin scarf until dry.
Start with wet or damp hair before bed. If you have fine hair, you can get your afro ready in the morning when you get up.
If you don’t want to wait for your hair to air dry, you can use a blow dryer to dry the braids faster.
Remove the braids. Make sure the braids are completely dry before taking them out. If your hair seems tangled, apply a pea-sized amount of a moisturizer like shea or coconut butter to the remaining braids to ease the rest of the process.
Tousle your hair with your fingers. If you have long hair, bend over and let the weight of your hair and gravity assist the process. Your hair should appear much more curled than before.
Backcomb any areas that need more volume. If there are areas where you feel your afro is looking a little flat, use your fine-toothed comb or three-row teasing brush to add extra volume at the roots. Repeat until your hair has the fullness you want.
Don’t apply too much pressure when backcombing. You don’t want the hair to break.
Fix with styling product if necessary. A little hairspray is all you need to keep your afro in place. You can carry around a pointed comb to detangle your afro and make it look fabulous wherever you go.