How A Quick Weave Isn't Really a Protective Style
Don't Be Fooled
I am always looking for new ways to wear my protective hairstyles. Quick weaves are something I have yet to learn about.
I usually keep a rotation of three to four different hairstyles that I can wear for a few weeks at a time to give my hair a necessary break. Recently I decided to switch up my protective style rotation and try wearing a quick weave. It is true that the application of the quick weave is, in fact, quicker than having a sew-in installed.
Once I took down my quick weave, I realized that what I had done to my hair was not a protective style and that I ended up with more damage than progress. Thankfully, I was able to contact a professional cosmetologist that assisted me in removing the quick weave with minimal damage to my hair.
While I'm not discouraging anyone from wearing a quick weave, it's important to fully understand why this styling option is not really a protective style.
What Is a Quick Weave?
If you're not familiar with the style, a quick-weave is hair extensions that are glued onto a wig cap or sometimes, directly onto your natural hair.
While a quick weave is a good styling option should you find yourself in a pinch and need something easy; It's not the best option to choose for a protective style or if your hair is already fragile and damaged.
To achieve this hairstyle, your stylist will braid down your natural hair or pull it back into a low ponytail using hair gel to set it. The braid down is the step of the styling process that makes many women believe that this style is a protective hairstyle option.
After your hair is braided and secured, your hairstylist will put a wig cap on your hair. Securing your wig cap can be achieved with a few different methods. Some stylists will sew the wig around the perimeter of your hair. And other stylists will rely on the glue from the next step to secure the wig cap to your hair.
After your wig cap is on, your stylist will cut the wefts of your hair extensions to fit a particular section of your head. Your stylist will use hair bonding glue to secure the cut extensions to your wig cap. The cutting and gluing process will continue until the hair extensions cover your entire head. Some hairstylists will choose to leave some of your natural hair out of the wig cap.
Leaving your natural hair out is an attempt to blend the extensions so that the hairstyle looks natural. Doing so can lead to heat damage if your hair extensions are straight or curly. Don't be surprised if your stylist chooses to skip using a wig cap. Some stylists glue the hair directly onto your natural hair.
Gluing your hair extensions onto your natural hair isn't advised since it makes removal extremely difficult.
Helpful or Hurtful?
Many talented hair stylists can craft beautiful hairstyles from a quick weave.
However, it's the process, products, and take-down stress on your hair that disqualifies this hairstyle from being categorized as a protective hairstyle. A protective style is one that allows you to put your natural hair away, such as in braids or a bun, and will enable it to rest for a period.
Protective hairstyles are designed for extended wear to protect your hair from heat and styling damage. As well as from damaging elements such as the sun, chlorine, and pollution.
While the hair extensions on a quick weave cover your hair, the biggest con is the glue on your hair causes significant damage that outweigh any pros of this hairstyle.
Overexposed
During the process of a quick weave, your natural hair is braided.
But there is no protective barrier between your natural hair and the bonding glue used to secure the hair extension to the wig cap. Hair glue should never touch your natural hair because of how damaging it is.
Once hair glue dries, it's challenging to remove without causing permanent damage to your hair. There are products that you can purchase to help protect your hair from the bonding agent.
However, there is no guarantee that you will not suffer breakage or hair loss during the takedown process as I did when I removed my quick weave.
Prevent Mildew
Another caution to wearing a quick weave hairstyle is to make sure that your hair starts and stays dry.
Moisture under your weave can cause mildew to grow on your hair. You should refrain from washing your quick weave simply because your hair extensions will loosen. And the shampoo can cause the glue to detach from your wig cap.
However, wearing your quick weave for too long will cause your scalp oil and dirt to build upon your hair. In return, this can cause odors and more significant problems further down the line. If you washed your hair before your quick weave was installed or while wearing it, it's crucial that your hair is completely dry.
Even before putting on the wig cap or applying the extensions to your hair.
Alternative Protective Styles
If your goal is to wear a protective style that doesn't take a long time to achieve there are other options besides wearing a quick weave. A great protective style shouldn't put your natural hair in jeopardy. After all, it is meant to protect your hair from damage.
Wigs
Desire to get your hair done in a flash? Wear a wig.
Wigs are a great protective hairstyle because they don't require any glue that could take your hair out. Check out Private Label Hair Extensions line of wigs. PLE wigs are 100% human hair that can withstand color, cutting, and heat styling.
PLE wigs come in a variety of lengths and textures so that you can rock long straight hair or eye-catching kinks.
Ponytails
Don't sleep on the phony pony! Ponytails are a great alternative to a short-term protective hairstyle.
Ponytail extensions are on trend at the moment. You can catch a phony pony on iconic stars like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. PLE has a great line of ponytails that are affordable and simple to install and are also great style options to give your hair a break.
The best part is that PLE ponytails are ready to wear. You won't need to do any trimming, all you have to do is install and slay!
The More You Know
It's vital that you do as much research as you can before you decide upon a new hairstyle.
The Private Label blog has excellent articles with current and detailed haircare tips and trends. Don't make the mistake I made and assume that just because a hairstyle is fast that it is also good for your hair.
It's crucial that you thoroughly discuss your hair goals with your hairstylist before you book your style appointment. Make sure that the hairstyle will help to propel you toward your goals instead of cause damage.
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