INTRODUCING TREE BRAIDS
If Beyonce and Paris Hilton and most celebrity A-listers can have long, luxurious, cascading hair, then why can’t we? Most celebrities of all races and hair textures have hair extensions these days, but they can afford personal hairstylists. For those of us that can’t…introducing Tree Braids.
As an African-American woman, I’ve experienced hair drama and tried everything. I simply wanted a style that is easy-care, full, sexy and neat with styling flexibility. I don’t want to be bothered fumbling with my own hair. I’d rather live my life and look glamorous doing it!
I also wanted a style that would give my own hair a break and allow it to rest, breathe and grow naturally. No more perms, weaves, box-braids and curling irons. No more things sew in, strings, chemicals, heat, clips or glue. No more crazy hair cuts or waking up in the morning looking like . . . I don’t even know what! Natural hair is beautiful and hair isn’t everything, but mine was looking like a tumbleweed and I was sick of it!
Then I found out about Tree Braids and at long last I was saved from hair trauma. It’s not easy to find a braid stylist that can actually do Tree Braids and do them right, but I was lucky enough to find one of the best.
WHAT ARE TREE BRAIDS
True Tree Braids use cornrows as a base. The braider begins braiding the hair as usual, attaching the braid extension hair as she goes along. After several braid revolutions, a few strands of braid extension hair are pulled out and left out. This process is continued throughout the length of the cornrow. At the end of the row, it is tied off in a knot; the braid extension hair, not your own hair.
Tree Braids are full, lush and beautiful and fall back from the face like natural hair. They do not lay flat to the scalp. The parts between the braids are pretty much invisible except for just a little bit at the center front hair-line. The hair can be worn up depending on the length you select or it can be worn loose. You can pretty much part it wherever you like. Tree Braids almost completely cover and camouflage the cornrows. The real hair is braided into the cornrows, thereby protecting the natural hair and giving it freedom from daily hair-care stresses.
With Tree Braids, there is no need for glue or clips and no need to yank or pull natural hair. You must make sure your braider/stylist know what she is doing and you are getting true Tree Braids.
To learn more about Tree Braids go to http://www.upalmit.com/treebraidsnjpa.html see a real photo gallery go to http://www.upalmit.com/treebraids1.html or http://www.flickr.com/photos/treebraidsbykaale/. and to
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH TREE BRAIDS
Condition of My Natural Hair
The first time I got Tree Braids, my natural hair was very damaged, thin and broken-off from perms, dyes and weaves. I’d also just gone through a bout of traction alopecia. My real hair was a hot mess! It was uneven and some spots were extremely short.
The day before I got my hair braided, I washed and conditioned my natural hair and then parted and rubbed my scalp with Sulfur 8 Lite, after which I rubbed in a handful of Luster’s Pink Oil Moisturizer.
How Long Did It Take?
Approximately 3 hours or a little over 4 hours, if individual braids are added at the nape.
What Kind of Hair Did I Use?
Bobbi Boss Deep Pony Bulk. It’s wavy, synthetic hair and costs less than $6.00 a pack, It took about 2 ½ packs. Freetress Gogo Curl is good also and has a deeper curl and it’s about the same price.
Synthetic vs. Human Hair
I’ve tried human hair in the past and just didn’t like it. It’s my personal preference. I prefer synthetic.
How Did It Look When It Was Completed?
I had a full head of beautiful, thick, flowing, gorgeous hair. When done, my braider/stylist sprayed it with Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen Spray and trimmed the hair to the desired length. I left it a little more than shoulder length, so I could put it in a pony tail, French-roll style or create an up-do if I wanted. To see a video of Tree Braids go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm9Wu9BwBzQ&feature;=related.
Care of Tree-Braids
My scalp itched after a few days, but that happens with any braided hairstyle or weave. Braid sprays claim to help itching. For me, they are great for softening and moisturizing, but they don’t really stop itching. Solution? I mixed equal parts of Scalpacin and Organix Hydrating Teatree Mint Leave-in Moisture Mist and sprayed between the braids daily. Once a week I’d rub a little Sulfur 8 Lite on my scalp, if needed.
For the braids themselves, I used Carefree Curl Moisturizer Spray or softened a little Jane Carter Solutions Nourish & Shine between my palms and rubbed it on the braids in the direction of the wave or curl pattern. It smells great.
Like anything else, you take care of braids and maintain it for best results.
Did It Affect My Natural Hair Once The Braids Were Removed?
There was absolutely no damage to my natural hair and I had a half-inch of new growth. It was also much thicker. I plan to get my hair braided every 4 to 6 weeks until it’s in good condition and at the length I desire.
See a picture gallery at: http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/African.Hair.Braiding.and.Treebraids.by.Kaale.-.NJ.NY.PA.609-213-7985/picture/gallery.
