Crochet Braids: Braiding Tips!

Crochet Braids by Benita Blocker using Caribbean Corkscrew Curl.

Caribbean Corkscrew Curl hair is easy to separate and grab.  However, it can be quick to frizz.

Two of these packs go a long way. 

I try to custom braid based on the desired final crochet braid style.

Crochet Braids by Benita Blocker using Freetress Water Wave hair. (full 4 packs)

I recommend highly textured braiding hair for those with silky natural hair or relaxed hair.  I recommend silky braiding hair for those who have coarser natural hair.  The coarser natural hair can have thick cornrows as a base and interlock silky braiding hair through both halves of the thick cornrows.

Silky braiding hair may match relaxed hair but it may slip out.  That is why I recommend opposite textures of what you are working with. Thinner hair need more cornrows and some circular braiding patterns as a foundation.

If the braiding hair frizzes, then you can double strand twist in the areas that need taming. 2 to 5 packs should be plenty of braiding hair for one head.

The final cut of the crochet braids make it look most natural.

Crochet Braids using Cork Screw Curly Hair

Crochet Braids by Benita Blocker.

Asymmetric Bob Cut by Benita Blocker.

The longer side.

We used a little over 3 packs of the Cork Screw 18" hair to obtain the volume and fullness of this look.

Crochet braids talk: Jamaican Bounce versus Caribbean Bounce

Crochet braids by Benita Blocker using Jamaican Bounce Curl. Colors: #350 and #2

"Hot Water Set" Possible was pictured prominently on the Jamaican Bounce Curl packaging label.  I will explain more about this at the end of this article.

Crochet braids by Benita Blocker using Beauty2bar.com Caribbean Bounce Curl. Color: #4/30

I believe the Caribbean Bounce Curl is exclusive to the beauty2bar website; however, the Jamaican Bounce Curl is definitely a twin sister.  The curl diameters look the same to me.  

Both were prone to frizz with the least wrong move.  The Caribbean Bounce Curl was easier to twirl to get the frizz under control. I did not "hot water" pre-set, but both of these curl patterns may benefit from a dip in the hot water before crochet interlocking them.  Of course, if the client is bringing their crochet hair with them, then the service will be prolonged to just hot water set the hair.

Both curly textures require a hair bonnet to keep curls under control.  I plan to experiment on a few pieces to see how they each hot water set without perm rods.  I will add a comment to this article referencing my findings.

YouTube channel and brand ambassador Sadora Paris brought spotlight to the Caribbean Bounce Curl; however, on her most recent "Teal Ombre" YouTube video she used Kanekalon Straight hair and hot water set on purple flexi-rods to achieve her own DIY spiral curled crochet interlocking hair.  I can only assume that she may have encountered too much frizz too soon with the Caribbean Bounce Curl or the website sold out of the Caribbean Bounce Curl.   You can see the Do-It-Yourself hot water spiral curls technique at the 2:02 minute mark. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/dVa6cCe8zMk

New Naturalon Fiber content in Havana Mamba Twist

100% Naturalon has replaced the 100% Kanekalon fiber in the "Janet Collection" Havana Mambo Twist.

I did not find anything about this new fiber change on the Internet.  BeautyPlus Trading Company, Inc. is the parent company.  Made in Indonesia. Same SKU number.

The Naturalon/Toyokalon package also has "Handmade" on it.

I look forward to feedback on whether anyone has noticed in changes in how the Havana Mambo Twist continue to hold up. 

The only thing that possibly stood out to me was that the new fiber may slide more at the interlocked root. If this is the case, then the hair will try to undo itself if not reinforced.

I will update as I get more feedback on this change.

Review: Black Mamba or Black Mambo?

It's hair! Thank God because I am scared of snakes!!!!

24" Havana Mambo Twist Hair by the Janet Collection for Crochet interlocking. Price: under $10.00 USD.

The 12" version is supposed to be on back order. No one around town had it.

I cut this 24" kanekalon/toyokalon twist hair in half to complete my first crochet braids client.  The ends were not uniform and gave a more highly textured look.  Some people are satisfied with some extra frizz.  Others are not.

The latching is different because of one open end and one closed end.

About 12 of these come in one pack.