Path: maths.tcd.ie!ieunet!Germany.EU.net!howland.reston.ans.net!psinntp!psinntp!psinntp!interramp.com!ip9.cincinnatti.oh.interramp.com!user From: us024637@interramp.com (Nikki) Newsgroups: alt.gothic.fashion Subject: Hair Extensions direction Date: Mon, 13 May 1996 18:55:10 -0500 Organization: Eyesore Studios Lines: 103 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: ip15.cincinnatti.oh.interramp.com Well, here are the instructions for braided and curly hair extensions that you can do yourself. If you e-mailed me about the directions I'll also send you copy. You actual hair does need to be at leat 3-4 inches long. Unless you have a friend helping you it is virtually impossible to braid your hair if it is any shorter than this. You'll need the following: the hair, I use Kanekelon hair, I have no idea what Kanekelon is but is is smoother and easier to work with than the synthetic and mmuch less expensive and varied than human hair. A needle and thread (Attach the thread in a strong loop) scissors and small rubber bands. beeswax or other strong styling product You have to braid you actual hair first. Make the braids small and tight (think Coolio!) Remember that which ever way you braid the hair is the way that is will lay. I made the mistake of braiding my bangs down in front of my face because it was easier and didn't realize that that's where my braids were going to hang!! I find it easier to braid my entire head first rather than do one braid and extension at a time. At the end of each actual braid either secure it with a rubber band or rub a bit of beeswax to secure the end until you can get the extension around it. Take a piece of extension hair about 1 1-2 times the thickness of the actual braid. Thread the hair into the loop of thread about 3-4 inches down. push the needle, loop and hair through the base of your actual braid as close to your scalp as possible. Pull the hair through until it is easily removed from the thread and hangs evenly on both sides of the braid. At this point all that you have to do is make three section in the hair and braid it AROUND your actual braid. This means that your braid will be completely surrounded by the extension hair. Be careful when you get to the end of your hair and into the extension hair, your hair may try to poke out through the extension so take your time and blend it carefully. You can put a total of three braided extensions on each of your actual braids for fullness but be careful. Know your hair type and don't put too much stress on your actual hair. The curly extensions are done the same way. You add braids and then put the curly peices right into the braides at the scalp. All you do with the curls is knot it and it will stay. Eventuall if you want it to it will dread whjich looks really cool with some skull beads or whatever. What to expect and how to care for it. Your braids will be a little stiff in the beginning and tend to stay in what ever position you style them into. Wash your hair normally either with diluted shampoo or a special braid shampoo. I use both and dilute my shampoo with a mixture of water and astringent to make sure it is penetrating the extension. You want to make the braides tight and close to the scalp but don't pull too tight or you will get little red bumps around the braids that are pulling the scalp too tightly. You can keep the braids in for 3- 4 monthes depending on how fast your hair grows. Yes, as it grows they do get a little fuzzy on top but it looks cool if you have a combination of dreads and braids. When you take them out just clip off the braid just below your actual hair and unbraid the extension. You will notice a lot of hair coming out with it...DON'T PANIC!!!! Most of that is just your normal hair loss that hasn't washed away yet. Do expect some minor breakage and some split ends when you take them out. I take mine out and usually let my hair alone for a few days or even a few weeks if I'm lazy and then start over. They do take a long time to do in the beginning but once they are in they are pretty simple to take care of. Just wash and condition. I use a strong penetrating conditioner on my scalp like Infusium. Conditioner and cream rinse also soften the brads. I've heard that using very dilluted fabric softener on the extensions really softens themm too, but don't get it on you scalp or near your eyes. Just a little side note, you can either tie off the end with a small rubber band or burn it. I know that sounds weird but it works. If you have longer hair and want the sleeker look of long braids you can just braid your own hair and add the extension close to the bottom of it in the same manner rather than so close to your scalp. This looks good if you want really long extensions but it is hard to get a match on the color if your hair isn't died black and it's sometimes hard to match the width of the braid. If you stagger where you add the extension to your own hair they make all sorts of cool little beads and clips to cover where the two meet if it isn't very neat. I hope these are pretty clear. I don't know how to do the little keyboard graphics or I could post a picture to make it clearer. I check my email everyday and am more than happy to answer any specific questions you may have. I absolutely love my extensions. I've had short hair all my life so it is really fun having something to play and flirt with!! One final thing to remember..this is not a real conservative look. You can try to make it more conservative looking by where them back or making them into a bob but for the most part its a pretty stand out look that doesn't mesh well with real jobs!! Good luck and have fun!.. I just bought some great hot pink hair to add to my head. If anyone comes across a mail order source please post or let me know via email. Thanks. Nikki