Buzz
Wet hair wrapping is a technique used to style and safeguard African hair. It involves using your head's contours as a makeshift roller to enhance hair volume and shape. This method is particularly beneficial for chemically treated or straightened hair, which tends to be fragile and prone to breakage. You can easily find all the necessary supplies for wet wrapping at beauty supply stores, pharmacies, or online outlets. To wet wrap your hair effectively, you need to prepare it, wrap it properly, and then take care of the wrap.
Essential Steps
Preparing Your Hair
Allocate Sufficient Time for Hair Wrapping. Hair wrapping can be time-consuming, so ensure you have ample time set aside for the process. The duration of wrapping depends on your hair's length and thickness. Overall, the entire process, including drying, may take three hours or more. The drying phase alone could last up to an hour!
Cleanse and condition your hair as usual. Use your regular shampoo and conditioner. Stick to your typical hair washing routine. Avoid using leave-in conditioner.
Pat dry your hair with a towel. Leave your hair slightly damp. It should not be completely dry when you begin wrapping. Gently blot your hair with a towel to remove excess moisture. You can also use your hands to squeeze out excess water.
Apply styling foam. Styling foam acts as a setting agent for your hair during the wrapping process. Apply a generous amount of styling foam and massage it into your hair from roots to ends. Any styling foam designed for styling and moisturizing/conditioning will suffice.
- If you skipped using leave-in conditioner after shampooing, apply some leave-in conditioner before applying the styling foam.
Detangle your hair with a comb. After applying styling foam, use a wide-tooth comb to remove any knots or tangles. Combing will also help evenly distribute the styling foam throughout your hair. Part your hair down the middle and comb through it again. If you're struggling with tangles, bend forward and comb from the roots downward.
- Be gentle while combing to prevent breakage.
Hair Wrapping Technique
Gather your hair in a clockwise motion. Alternatively, you can opt for counterclockwise motion. Use both your hands and a comb to guide your hair. Comb your hair in a circular motion away from the parting. Smooth your hair around your head and continue wrapping until all hair is flattened against your head.
- A small amount of styling lotion can assist in guiding your hair during wrapping.
- Plastic styling brushes are available at most beauty supply stores.
- Avoid using clips to hold sections of your hair, as they can create indentations and lead to uneven drying. The setting lotion will maintain the hold.
Dry your hair under a hooded dryer. Sit beneath a hooded hair dryer for drying. Hooded dryers are commonly found in beauty salons, but you can also invest in a collapsible dryer. Set the dryer to medium heat and remain seated until your hair is completely dry. Check your hair periodically during the process. If a hooded dryer is unavailable, use a handheld dryer with a dryer cap. Set the handheld dryer to its highest heat setting and blow dry the entire cap. Drying may take several hours.
- Hooded hair dryers can be purchased online or at beauty supply stores.
Style your hair after unwrapping. Once your hair is dry, unwrap it and comb in the opposite direction using a wide-tooth comb. Style your hair as desired. If you prefer, you can leave your hair wrapped and cover it with a silk scarf until you're ready to style.
- When done correctly, your hair should appear shiny and straight when combed out.
Maintaining the Wrapped Style
Secure your hair with clips or a tie if desired. After your hair has dried, you can use clips or tie up any stray strands to prevent them from flying around. While optional, this can help maintain a uniform hairstyle in the long term.
Wrap your hair to preserve the style overnight. To maintain your hairstyle, wrap your hair before going to bed each night. Use a silk scarf and wrap it around your head. Since your hair has been detangled and straightened, this should be a simple task.
- You can also use a satin wrap; like silk, it helps minimize friction.
- Remember, even with a perfect wrap, your hair may shift slightly during sleep.
Style your hair in the morning. In the morning, remove any clips or hair wraps that you used overnight. Gently comb through your hair and style it as usual.
Pro Tips
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If you have thick hair or experience tangles easily, consider using a detangling conditioner along with a moisturizing styling lotion.
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African hair is prone to breakage. When dealing with severe tangles, carefully comb from the ends to the roots to avoid scalp damage and breakage. Combing from roots to ends can cause damage.
Important Notes
- Avoid using mineral oil-based or petroleum-based products for wet hair wrapping. These products can block pores and hinder proper absorption by the hair. Opt for vegetable-based oils like olive or carrot, which are more easily absorbed.
- Steer clear of alcohol-based styling lotions as they can dehydrate your hair and lead to breakage.
Essentials
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Moisturizing styling cream
- Wide-toothed comb
- Plastic brush
- Hair clips
- Hair dryer
- Dryer cap (if needed)
- Silk scarf (optional)
