Yesterday I posted the first part in this series of posts on how to get a natural looking weave. Now I’m no weave queen myself in that I don’t wear them month in month out but when I do, I want my own mother to ask me for the umpteenth time ‘Is that your hair?’ and I enjoy being stopped by a complete stranger at the supermarket telling me that my hair is beautiful and how did I grow it so long only to have them drool when I tell them it’s a weave.
Here are some more tips to getting an outrageously natural looking weave.
5. Match your color
This is pretty self explanatory. If your hair is natural brown or off black, don’t wear a jet black weave or if you have colored your hair then find a weave with a color to closely match your leave out hair.
Most weaves are made from the hair of Indian donors who tend to have much darker locks to those of black people. Still many companies these days offer a wide range of colors to suit but if you are having trouble finding a color to match, one option is to dye the weave hair to match your own before installing it.
Another simple solution is to apply a semi-permanent rinse to your leave out hair to match the weave. Semi permanent color lasts 6-10 washes depending on the brand so it should have faded sufficiently by the time you are ready to take down the weave. You can always clarify and deep condition with heat to get rid of any remaining color residue.
Semi permanent rinses only work when you want to go darker than your natural color. They don’t contain peroxide or ammonia so they won’t lighten your hair.
6. Wear believable textures
You may like the feel of silky smooth, high lustre, shinier-than-a-mirror hair but does it match your leave out hair? No? If not then leave it on the shelf.
The same goes for curly textured weaves, if you cannot convincingly match the curl pattern of the weave on your leave out hair with little effort on your part then forget it. It will end up being more hassle than it’s worth.
There are many companies out there that create multiple textures of hair. To create them, they start with good quality virgin hair and are able to recreate all type 4 hair textures convincingly. From tight kinky* curls to relaxed hair textures and kinky* straight weaves that match blow dried black hair, there’s no end to the possibilities and you will be able to find that perfect weave to match your own texture.
7. Tone down the volume
This is the single most important tip. It can be the deal breaker that gives you away even when everything else is right. Have you ever seen a very well installed sew-in but sometimes there is something that you cannot quite put your finger on that makes it look… unnatural?
The extra volume is likely to be the culprit. If you don’t want your weave to look ‘off’ then stick with 2 to 3 packs of hair. Curly weaves tend to have more volume so you may find that you need less than straight hair. When it comes to nailing that realistic look, less is more!
8. Use quality hair
This is where a lot of ladies differ but I will say this, the difference between brand name beauty supply store hair and genuine virgin hair is like the difference between a smooth burgundy wine and the cheap stuff labeled ‘table wine’ at the bottom shelf of the supermarket. They are both wines but they’re just not in the same league!
Good quality hair moves naturally, doesn’t tangle and looks ‘right’ somehow. Not to mention that good quality virgin hair can be worn again and again so you will be saving money in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Although I believe that wearing your own hair majority of the time is the best way to promote healthy hair habits in a real world environment, I understand the need for occasional protective styling to get over hair growth plateaus or to help reduce overall manipulation.
Like most people, I’ve had my own hits and misses when it comes to sew ins, but with each new install I get better and better at them. Yes the old adage is true. Practice makes perfect. I’m sure that if you follow these tips you will be well on your way to an outrageously natural looking weave!
Hi! I recently left sew ins in the past and moved to malaysian weaving, also known as braidless sewin, It is excellent on my head and my hair which used to break heavily with regular corn row sew ins has now grown and become thick and fuller. I really recommend it to girls who are tired of constant damaged hair from sew ins. With the braidless method, you can wash your hair and wear it in any style and not worry about the tracks showing. It looks NATURAL. Sure it may be costly unless you know someone or know someone who knows someone and then you can get a lower price, but for the quality and amount of time you can leave it in (about 4 months for me because I am very nurturing to my hair) it’s totally worth it!
what hair color is the highlighted parts?
This is so very true. Great article.
More women need to take this article to heart.
I would never leave my hair out. I perfer to have all my hair braidedup for me weave is where i get to experiment
Good day all I am truly a virgin to all this, my hair has always been long and I had the same stylist for many years. I’ve always believed in healthy Hair and not allowing everyone in mine. I have been recently going to the gym 4 to 5 times a week. My hair will stay nice for the 2 days I don’t go. I have been giving serious thought to getting a full head install and like the body wave texture so I can style and if I sweat it won’t look horrible. I mainly want to give my hair a break from heat. This article has been helpful I don’t really care who knows because I am asked all the time what # is my hair Lol or do I have a weave, so this won’t bother me. I have been inquiring about a closure. Can anyone give me any tips they will greatly be appreciated. Have a blessed day all.