Celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez has traveled the world, working on everyone from Keke Palmer to Alicia Keys and Shakira. So we’re excited to apply her expertise to your crucial hair concerns. Remember, if you have questions for our experts you can submit them on our submissions page.
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Question:
I’ve never worn a weave before but recently decided that I’m ready to give it a try. My hair is relaxed. Is there anything I should consider before I get my first weave? How can I keep my hair healthy while I wear one and is there anything really important that I should look for when choosing hair to buy?
– Ameri
Answer:
Hi Amerie,
There are a lot of factors to look at when deciding to try a weave for the first time.
Lets begin with relaxed hair. Please allow a couple of weeks after relaxing to get a sew-in. This allows your hair to strengthen enough to withstand the tension of braids and the weight of the extensions. Also, be sure to treat your hair with strengthening oils and serums before installation. If you decide you love your sew-in and plan on wearing them faithfully, there’s no need to relax any other parts of your hair except the leave out and/or edges.
First time weave wearers should consider the quality of hair they want to invest in. Many women aren’t fans of sew-ins because either they have sensitive scalps or because it doesn’t fit their lifestyle. Hair extensions should be viewed as an investment. If you are an avid weave wearer, it’s ideal for you to invest in the best quality human hair so you’re guaranteed at least a year’s worth of installations. If it’s your first time and you’re treading the waters, I always recommend buying human hair that’s good quality and not the best. You don’t want to invest $800-$1000 on hair that you might not use again. Good quality hair will run you around $300-$500 and you can get a couple of installations out of it. The best part is if you decide that sew-ins are not for you, you can always convert the hair to clip ins!
Another factor to consider when choosing hair for your first weave is color and texture of the extensions. You want your natural hair to blend seamlessly with the extensions for an undetectable finish. Since your hair is relaxed, you don’t want to buy silky straight hair. You’d want to search for a texture similar to yours. They will usually be labeled as “relaxed hair.” Be sure to view the extensions against your hair in natural lighting so you can match the color perfectly as well.
Good luck on your hair extension journey!
– Cynthia
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Based in New York City, as Cynthia continues building her brand and clientele, she prides herself on making her clients look and feel Red Carpet ready. Check out tons of Cynthia’s beautiful work on her Instagram.
