Beautiful Braids

From High-Style sculptural formal masterpieces, to low-maintenance shake-and-go styles, braids set the stage for almost any hair expression you wish to make. A perfect way to add extensions, there is no shortage of inspiration when it comes to braid styles, either.  Many celebrities, A-list models and socialites are turning to the age-old tradition of braiding, adding a new twist to keep it on point with today's expression.  There's simply no stopping the imagination when it comes to what can be done with braids.  As far as which hair to use when adding extensions, almost any Hair Factory hair can be braided in, but some textures are especially popular for braiding.  The top three best sellers are: French Refined Bulk, Spanish Wavy Bulk, and Premium Wavy Bulk.  Once you have purchased your hair, in order to access the best look for you, you will need to know what is what in braid vocabulary and terms so that you can have an informed conversation with your favorite hair stylist, and come away with exactly what you want. Here's a quick braids tutorial to get you started:

Your first step when choosing the right braid is to look at pictures of braided hairstyles. This will help you decided which style you want to have done. There are many types of braids for African American hair, and choosing the right one can sometimes be difficult. You want to make sure you choose the right one because most of the braided styles stay in for quite some time. This article will briefly explain the different types of braids so that you will have a better idea what you might be looking for.

Cornrow braids are typically one and a half inches wide. They are braided in a way that makes them lie flat against the head, and are braided from the forehead to the nape of the neck. Countless hairstyles incorporate cornrow braids including extensions and several formal hairstyles. The time it takes to complete cornrows depends on the design that you are having done. They are very easy to maintain, and a great hairstyle for someone who does not have much time to devote to their hair in the morning.

Zigzag braids are done in the same way as cornrows, but are braided in a zigzag pattern. You can choose a design or you can draw up your own. Many celebrities have created their own designs and named them after themselves. Zigzag braids are more complex than standard cornrows, which is why it takes a little longer to complete this hairstyle.

Box braids are divided by small square boxes and can be done in any length or width. Human hair can be added to give the hairstyle length, fullness, and thickness. This type of braid is not attached to the scalp so it can be manipulated into many hairstyles. They are very easy to maintain. The length of time it takes to complete this style depends on many different factors such as the length of your hair, if you are adding human hair and the stylist that is doing the hairstyle.

Micro braids are another great braided hairstyle that can be done with African hair. In fact, it is most commonly done in African American hair because African American hair holds the braids better. This style is most commonly done by professionals because the braids are so small that they are difficult to complete. Invisible braids are similar to micro braids but they are smaller. They are so small that sometimes this braid is mistaken for strands of hair. It can take hours to complete both of these hairstyles. However, invisible braids take longer because there are more braids to complete.
You can find pictures of braided hairstyles in many different places. Several websites feature photos of braided hairstyles. Another great resource is fashion magazines because there are many models that are sporting braided hairstyles. You can take pictures to your local salon and have the stylist duplicate the style in the picture.