Braids And A T-Shirt: Creative Wrapping Styles

Braids are a beautiful and expressive way to wear your hair. They can be styled in many ways, including wrapping them with a t-shirt. This is a great way to protect your braids at night and prevent frizz and breakage. To do this, you can cut a t-shirt into strips and use them to wrap your braids, similar to how you would with thread or ribbon. You can also use a t-shirt to dry your hair after washing it, as it is softer and more absorbent than a towel.

Wrap braids with a silk or satin scarf

Wrapping your braids with a silk or satin scarf is a great way to protect your hair while you sleep or until it's dry. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving this:

Preparing the Scarf:

• Start by choosing a silk or satin scarf in your desired colour or pattern.
• Fold the scarf from one point upwards to form a slim rectangle. Ensure that it is long enough to wrap around your head and tie comfortably.

Tying the Scarf:

• Tie the folded scarf around your head like a headband. Position the knot at the nape of your neck, adjusting it to be snug but not too tight.
• Take the end of the scarf and carefully weave it into your braids. Use a comb to section off a small part of your hair to make this process easier.
• Repeat the weaving process on the other side of your head, ensuring that the scarf is secure and tight.

Finishing Touches:

• Once you're happy with the placement of the scarf, you can add some final touches. Gently pull out a few strands of hair from the braids to create a messier, more relaxed look.
• If desired, use some hairspray to keep everything in place and to control any flyaway hairs.

This method is perfect for all hair types and is a stylish way to keep your hair protected and out of your face. It's also a great opportunity to add a pop of colour or pattern to your look!

Tie braids up in a bun or knot

Tying your braids up in a bun or knot is a great way to pull your hair out of your face and add some flair to your hairstyle. Here are some methods you can try:

The Braided Top Knot

• Put your hair in a high ponytail. You don't need to brush your hair before this step, as leaving it unbrushed will help create a more relaxed, tousled look.
• Separate your ponytail into two sections and tease each section, focusing on the hair closest to the base of the ponytail. Teasing your hair will make your braids look bigger and fuller.
• Braid each section. Separate each section into three strands and braid them in a classic three-strand braid. Secure each braid with a small elastic hair tie.
• (Optional) Add some texture to the braids by applying texturizing powder or dry shampoo and pulling apart the braid plaits. Alternatively, you can simply pull at your braids to loosen and widen them.
• Wrap one of the braided sections around the base of the ponytail, securing it with a bobby pin. Then, wrap the other braided section in the opposite direction and secure it with another bobby pin.
• Use hairspray and additional bobby pins to secure any stray hairs.

The Pulled Braided Bun

• Tease a small section of hair at your crown, nearer to your forehead, by lightly backcombing it. Then, flip this section over to the front of your face.
• Repeat this process with another small section of hair right behind the first section.
• Flip all of your hair back so that it lays naturally.
• Separate your hair into three sections and loosely braid it in a classic three-strand braid. Only secure two out of the three strands with an elastic hair tie.
• Hold onto the one strand that you didn't secure and push the other two secured strands up until they are bunched at the base of the braid.
• Wrap the loose strand around the bunched-up braided strands and secure the bun with bobby pins.

The Three Braid Bun

• Backcomb a small section of hair near the crown of your head and flip it over to the front of your face.
• Repeat this process with another section of hair right behind the first section.
• Flip all of your hair back so that it lays naturally.
• Separate your hair into three vertical sections—one for the right side, one for the left side, and one in the middle. Secure each section near the nape of your neck with a ponytail holder.
• Braid each section loosely in a classic three-strand braid and secure each braid with a small elastic hair tie.
• Hold one of the braided sections at the bottom near the hair tie and twist the middle portion of the braid. Secure the twisted braid with bobby pins.
• Repeat this process with the other two braided sections, lining them up next to each other once they are secured.

The Fold Through Braided Bun

• Tie your hair in a ponytail. Your hair doesn't need to be brushed for this step. For a high bun, tie the ponytail at the crown of your head, and for a low bun, tie it at the nape of your neck.
• Braid your ponytail in a classic three-strand braid.
• Use your fingers to create a hole in the area of your hair above the ponytail holder. Reach your thumb and pointer finger up and underneath the ponytail holder so they poke up vertically through the hole.
• Lift your braid up and bring it to your two fingers poking through the hole. Pull the braid down through the hole.
• Fold your braid through the hole again, but this time, don't pull it all the way down. Flip the braid to pull the bulkiest part to the hole and let the bottom portion of the braid fold over on itself within the hole.
• Hold your braid with one hand and use your other hand to insert bobby pins into the sides of your bun. Pull the braided pieces apart a little bit to make the bun look fluffier and add texture.

Use a special bandana wrap for thick, long braids

Bandanas are a versatile accessory that can be used to wrap thick, long braids. The bandana wrap is a great way to protect thick, long braids and add a stylish touch to your look. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving this look:

Prepare your braids and bandana:

• Start by cutting your hair into two parts if you have long or very long hair.
• You will need a bandana, preferably made of silk or satin, as these materials are gentler on the hair.
• Lay the bandana flat on a surface and fold it into a triangle. You can also roll the bandana into a long, thin strip for a different look.

Wrap your braids:

• Place the flat edge of the bandana on your forehead, at or near your hairline.
• Bring the two corners of the bandana around your head, ensuring that the edge stays above your ears.
• Tie the ends of the bandana together in a secure knot at the back of your head.
• Tuck in the loose corner of the bandana under the knot to prevent it from coming loose.

Secure your bandana:

• You can use bobby pins to secure the bandana in place, especially if you want to keep flyaways at bay.
• Pin the bandana behind your ears or at the back of your head for a more secure hold.

Customise your look:

• Experiment with different folding techniques for a variety of styles, such as the traditional tri-fold, the pirate fold, or a headband style.
• Try incorporating braids or curls into your bandana wrap for an intricate and unique look.
• Add beads, charms, or feathers to your bandana for an eye-catching detail.

The bandana wrap is a versatile and stylish way to protect your thick, long braids. With a few simple steps and some creativity, you can rock this look and make it your own!

Sleep on a satin pillowcase

Sleeping on a satin pillowcase is one of the easiest ways to protect your braids overnight. Satin pillowcases are smooth and slippery, allowing your braids to glide over the surface without catching or snagging. This reduces friction, which is a major cause of frizz, tangles, and hair breakage. Satin pillowcases are also less absorbent than regular cotton pillowcases, helping your hair retain its natural moisture and preventing dryness.

Satin is a great alternative to silk pillowcases, which can be more expensive. Satin still provides the benefits of reduced friction and moisture retention but at a more affordable price. By reducing friction, satin pillowcases also prevent your braids from becoming loose and pulling out of formation. This helps to maintain the shape of your braids and reduces the chances of frizz and tangles.

In addition to the benefits for your braids, satin pillowcases also have natural temperature regulation properties. They can keep you cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather, ensuring a comfortable sleeping environment. This is essential for overall hair and skin health.

To summarise, sleeping on a satin pillowcase is a simple and cost-effective way to protect your braids. It helps to reduce friction, retain moisture, and regulate temperature, resulting in healthier hair and skin.

Apply anti-itch oil to your scalp

An itchy scalp can be irritating and uncomfortable, but there are many ways to relieve the itch. One way is to use anti-itch oil.

Before applying anti-itch oil, it is important to understand the cause of the itch. Common causes include dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Other causes include allergies to shampoo ingredients, eczema, head lice, or skin conditions like ringworm of the scalp and basal cell carcinoma.

Once you have identified the cause, you can choose the best anti-itch oil to treat your scalp. Here are some popular options:

• Coconut oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help relieve an itchy scalp. It is also a soothing treatment due to its high lauric acid content, which helps the skin absorb the oil efficiently.
• Tea tree oil is an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory essential oil that can help relieve itchiness. It can be diluted with water or another oil, such as olive oil, and then massaged into the scalp before shampooing.
• Peppermint oil contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on the skin. It can be added to shampoo or diluted with another oil and massaged into the scalp.
• Olive oil can help loosen itchy crusts of skin. Warm olive oil can be applied to the scalp and left for several hours before washing it out with a medicated shampoo.
• Argan oil is great for conditioning hair and soothing a dry scalp. It can be applied directly to a damp scalp to seal in moisture.
• Jojoba oil is a plant oil that hydrates and soothes the scalp. It often comes blended with other oils, such as tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties.

When applying anti-itch oil to your scalp, follow the specific instructions for the product you are using. In general, oils can be applied directly to the scalp and massaged gently before styling your hair as usual.

It is important to note that some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, can be irritating to the skin if used undiluted. Always read the instructions and perform a patch test before applying any new product to your scalp.

If your itchy scalp does not improve with home remedies or persists for more than a week, it is recommended to speak with a healthcare professional for further advice and treatment options.

Frequently asked questions