Hair Makeover using the Gluefree Quickweave Method

Hair Makeover by Benita Blocker. My hair model pictured is a first time client. She had been using permanent haircolor on her soft hair; so we are going to give her hair a rest with a new protective style.




I was excited to give this classy lady a new look right before CIAA Tournament Week arrival into Charlotte, NC. To achieve her "after" look, I molded her naturally soft, curly hair down with Nairobi Setting Lotion, Salon Exclusive Designing Foam, NuExpressions Styling Gel and eventually, the Morning Glory Gro-Protect Solution.

We used three different brands of hair all in the colors of 1b/27. The 8" Sassy brand was used at the back and sides. Rodeo Neo Body Curl through the top. MilkyWay Short Series was used to circle out the closure due to the thinness of its weft.

None of the hair used was expensive. So I am not recommending the hair . . . I had this hair in stock, and I figured "let's use it!"

The Neo Body Curl hair was very soft with a lot of movement. The Sassy hair used in the back was cut down to about 4 to 5 inches. The fullness of the Sassy hair stopped at about five inches. So the 8 inch hair was a stringy 8 inches, but a full 5 inches.

My model went from a natural fro to a "diva" bouncing bob! This hair is going to have to be rolled at night to keep the curl in it.

My 2011 Holiday Hair Look

It's almost Christmas, and I was ready for the long and the glamourous look. I did not want to wear a half wig nor a full wig because they can be soooo heavy. (Remember the article on "wig weight?") So I definitely wanted to leave my top hair out; so I opted for the partial gluefree quickweave using the Morning Glory Gro-Protect Growth Serum. Placement is important. Zigzag partings always deliver a more natural blend of natural hair with commercial hair. I also added one strip of seamless weft to the top to assist with the final blending in case of a windy day! I used three different colors. #1 in the back, #1B in the crown and sides, and #4 in the front along with the #1B.

This look took about four hours because I was doing it myself. It also took a pack and a half of commercial hair. I had a two partial packs of hair already available. Even if someone else is performing the service, three hours is still reasonable to decide on the placement based on one's individual headshape.

I plan to hold on to this look until Christmas time. I am at four weeks post relaxer with a little afro at my roots. If I can wait until after Christmas, then I will be 8 weeks post relaxer. I wanted to give myself a relaxer break. The True Indulgence regular should be adequate at a eight week period.

Happy Holidays!

Two Weeks Followup Since August 2011 Hair Battle

This is another gluefree quickweave style with my own hairline out. The two other pictures included in this article is of my hair without the gro-protect solution and one with the gro-protect solution.


As promised, I have included pictures of the back of my head following my double relaxation within a two day time period. Please do not try this at home. Smile. I am totally against it, but it is not fatal as you can see. Overall, I had a small setback in length, but I have been completely happy with my hair since I discontinued use of the flat irons. I have been overjoyed. I really, really can tell that my hair can take more abuse and still remain in tact. On the contrary, when I was using the flat irons to straighten my hair, I just never seem to be going in the right direction. No matter how often I shampooed; no matter how many leave-in conditioners and flat iron sprays. My hair just always seemed vulnerable. No more. Within two more years, I should be at 12 inches all over, and I am excited about the future! The relaxers are cool. I have about three more brands to try within the next six months. As for styling, I decided to go back into my gluefree quickweave. My own hair is out in the front, but this is a great option to have a more corporate look without so much fuss! I have been trying to perfect the crystallization phase so that removal will be as easy as the demo videos. For hair types with tightly closed cuticles, the removal of the gluefree quickweave has always been pretty easy. For those who have more curly, porous hair - filling the hair with curly hair leave-in conditioner followed by styling gel seems to give me the smoothest, slickest mold. I am soooo looking forward to a carefree removal. The extra time in application will be well worth it if the removal is quick and easy. If it works, then I will post the product combination that worked.

Gluefree Quick Weave - Gro Protect Solutions (GPS)

Gro Protect Solutions is a growth serum that crystallizes on already smoothed down hair to form a shield against bonding glue application.
The hair should be molded down with some combination of setting agents and styling gels. My hair is texturized in this picture, and I used some of Paul Mitchell's sculpting lotion as well as leave-in conditioners. I am demonstrating a partial head of this process. (the back of my head only) I wanted styling freedom in the front/top of my head. The whole head can be molded if you want a full head of quick weave. Just leave as much hair or as little hair as you want out. I put a plastic cap over the top of my head to keep the moisture in my front hair that has to be blow-dried out after everything is crystallized.
The Gro Protect Solution (GPS) is then applied and dried onto the already molded hair. In my opinion, this method works best with fully relaxed hair that is very smooth. (i.e. tightly closed cuticle) Natural and Texturized hair has so many "curves" in it that the crystallization of the product is not always even. Therefore, the removal can be messier or a little more difficult. So I tried to put as much of the GPS on my hair as possible to try to coat every curve. After the solution is dried, you can layer again if you have time, in order to make sure texturized hair is fully protected. Again, the plastic cap is to prevent my hair that is left out of the process from drying. I plan to blow-dry the front and curl it for the final styling.



This is my finished style with the gluefree quick weave method in the back for a quick change in length and style. Hair by Benita Blocker.
The gluefree quick weave method does involve "glue" but adds a protective growth solution and shield around the hair for easier removal. As the hair grows out, the crystallized shield raises up still allowing air to get to the scalp on a windy day. Allowing the scalp to breath is important to increasing hair density. This method is great for about three weeks at a time. It is like a cap, but the wind will not lift it off! Please check out my removal article as well.