Hair braids

[becks]

I'm about to get my hair put into braids, half cornrows then singles at the back with kanekalon extensions. I'm in a debate as to weather braids are good or bad for your natural hair. Does anyone have a definitive answer? I have european hair as well so it might not react the same as afro hair... anyone help?

[Casey]

One of my friends had very long hair and had braids in for quite a long time (which I hear is not good if you leave them in for a long period of time). She eventually had them out and her hair was a mess (dry and breaking a bit) but she went to the hairdresser and the next day she had gorgeous sleek, straight smooth hair, she did have quite a bit cut off due to split ends, but if you don't have them in for ages and go to a good hairdresser afterwards, there shouldn't be a problem.

[becks]

Thanks casey, i have had braids before and my mum swears that when we took them out my hair was in a right state, i remember it being dirty and gross and everything but not necessarily in bad condition... that's what i said though, my hair's coloured anyway and even if i don't get it cut and stuiff for the next three months it'll be in a state!

[thewillow]

Apart from being very bad for your hair, unless you're black, they look really common.

[becks]

Thanks willow, that's helpful! I've had them done before and i actually don't look common, if they're done right, singles look common i agree and teamed with kappas and gold hoops i'd agree. however if you have an email i will happily send you a photo of the last lot i had done and you can tell me whether i look common. And is there any basis to you "being verybad" comment as i would like to know??

[Casey]

thewillow, you cannot say a person can look 'common' because of their hairstyle that is ridiculous! What might look good on one person might not necessarily look good on another person! I personally don't think that black people look good with braids! So don't judge someone when you haven't even seen them.

[becks]

Thanks casey - i loke braids on everyone the only ones i don't like at the cornrows on girls that aren't extensions cos they can make you look like an alien. other than that everyone's free to do whatever they like in my book....

[thewillow]

To each his own. I'm sure my mother thought I looked like a skanger in my bin linerback in the seventies.

[Casey]

Completely true becks! My parents think my hair is 'too light' but I like it so who cares!!!

[becks]

lol what's a skanger?? i'll probably look back when i'm 40 and think lord what was i doing but i'm young enough (just) to get away with it i reckon!

[Janetex]

Do it while you're young. I love the look on anyone and hair grows back, so go for it.

[Lil'Mama]

Well braids are good for your hair because they make your hair grow because i have been getting my hair braided since i was about 2 yrs old and I used to didn't have no hair but now i have a head full of hair.And I think that you should go for it because i am a albano and i have hair a little like yours.

[ana]

I had my hair braided on holiday, and I have beautiful brown european hair. It looked really cool but when i took them out my hair was broken, as she pulled it so tight and also had so many split ends!!

[babiegurl27]

First of all, let me say to all of you, I am of black with a boricquan (puerto rican for the idiots) heritage and braids (especially cornrows) look good on black people! If you do a little history search, you will see that we started the whole braid craze! I think any race other than black and some latinos look odd wearing cornrows or micro braids for that matter.

[Skidmarc]

personally, i think any hairstyle suits anyone after a while, when everyone gets used to it... should be a statement of individuality more than anythin.. but im a guy, what do i know lol.... anyway gonna braid my hair next week, i was just wonderin, how long are u supposed to leave them in for, and is there any special way to wash them? -marc

[karincon]

Hi becks, got my braids in on holiday 4 weeks ago, took them out to get my roots done at an expensive hairdresser whom i had been going to for the past two years, he did not comment on any damage to my hair, just got the braids put back in on Sat and love them, and by the way i do wear gold hoops and i look good nananananana i knew that i would nananananana. Recommend 3 months max for braids to be in. Hair is disgusting when braids out and tangled but you have to remember that the hair you naturally lose over the time the braids are in is all tangles. Hair was fine when washed. This info may be too late, but hey i needed the keyboard exercise..

[zgma]

I've worn my hair in braids for periods of time (and I'm caucasian... I think they look great!). And I think the ends were a little broken, but the part closer to my scalp was actually pretty healthy by the end, because you can't get all the oil out by washing, which is good for your hair.

[Niamh]

Can any of you who've had braids put in tell me what kind of prices you pay for it? I had braid extensions put in in Cape Town but its now time for them to be redone. I'm a student in Wales but often visit family in London, Birmingham and Glasgow. Thanks.

[Ammy]

Hi Niamh in regard to prices in London it all depends on whether you go to an afro-carribbean hairdressers (cheaper) or a european one (more expensive), and what part of London you go to. Basically parts of east and south london seem to be cheap- especially in areas where there are a lot of black people. Anyway expect to pay anywhere from �40-�100 in afro' hairdressers, but anything way above that anywhere esle.