We've discussed hair types and the hair extensions that match each hair type before. Whether your mane is curly, straight, wavy, or kinky, there's a set of hair extensions, hair pieces, or even a wig out there for you. But what if you want to switch things up a bit and add some drama to your normal hair routine? What if you want bouncy, riotous curls one day and sleeker, straighter locks the next - do you need to buy two different types of weave?
Not at all! For hair that transforms as naturally from straight to curly and back again, all you need is Wet and Wavy hair extensions or hair pieces (as usual, virgin Indian human hair is best), a few common tools, and these simple instructions.
Method 1: Brush it Loose
The beauty of virgin Indian Wet and Wavy hair is that it naturally curls and relaxes, without the need for chemical treatments or much work. As the name implies, getting your Wet and Wavy hair weave to curl up is easy; simply wash or dampen the hair pieces, and they will form their own waves or curls.
But if you want to straighten those curls out to rock a sleeker style, you can simply use a round brush to slowly and gently smooth out the waves. Work in small sections (about 1 inch thick at most) and start from the tips of your completely dry hair extensions, brushing the hair downward and under. The technique is very similar to that used for detangling natural Black hair, although you will use a round brush instead of a paddle brush or wide-toothed comb. For best results, make sure the hair is securely held in place, either on a wig head, on your head, or bundled together in the case of wefted hair.
Method 2: Bring the Heat
For Wet and Wavy hair extensions with tighter curl patterns, you may need to use a flat iron to straighten your hair pieces out. Again, make sure the hair is securely installed, held in your hand, or on a wig head so that you don't waste any motion or heat doing double passes. Set your iron to the lowest possible setting to get results - you don't want to burn your hair extensions - and try brushing out some of the curl as described above before flat ironing. This will help protect and save your Indian hair.
You can also use a comb or brush attachment along with a blow dryer set on the Warm setting to achieve your straight look on dry locks. However, do not attempt to wash, blow-dry, and then flat-iron your hair all at once. Wet and Wavy hair weaves are meant to curl up when moistened, and the more you wash the hair, the curlier it will be. So washing the hair extensions when you want to straighten them out will only make your job harder in the long run. Instead, use a waterless shampoo to cleanse the locks before straightening, or simply wait a few days after washing.
Also consider that repeated straightening of Wet and Wavy hair helps pull more and more of the curl out, and that you will need to use a considerable amount of heat or time to get these locks silky straight. So if you truly aim for a day-versus-night transition or plan to switch up frequently, you might want to go ahead and purchase two different textures of weave hair.
But, for most women who crave just a little variety, a Wet and Wavy weave can meet all your needs and then some, with just a little work. Why not try some now?