Jumbo, Mega Jumbo and Expression Braids

I was in the Family Dollar store when I asked the cashier "Do you sell Jumbo Braiding hair?"  Their answer was as I had expected.  "No" . . . but she continued speaking . . . "I think the Dollar General store sells some."  So at the Dollar General store for the purchase price of $.99 USD (ninety nine cents plus tax), I was able to purchase a small pack of 26" Jumbo Braiding hair.  Synthetic Fiber.  The most popular color #2.

Apparently, crochet braids, box braids, and senegalese twists are very popular braiding requests. So the beauty supply stores have a high demand for jumbo braiding hair.  Considering the packs are only half as full as they used to be for the same price, people are buying twice the amount of packages.  So buying 14  (fourteen) packs of  jumbo braids is not as insane as my initial opinion on the matter.

Be careful about the fiber that the Jumbo braid is made of.  I was told 100% Kanekalon was the best way to go especially for Senegalese twists, tree braids, and crochet braids.  However, other braiding styles work fine with "Realistic Fiber," Toyokalon, and Synthetic Fibers.

Bijoux brand sells a Mega Jumbo braid at 64 inches versus their Xpression Braid at 84 inches. I strongly suggest making sure that you confirm with the braider which braid length and which fiber content to buy to complete your desired braided hairstyling.

Braided Extra Long Side Ponytail by Benita Blocker

Hairstyling by Benita Blocker, 2014.

 First of all, I just learned that the 100% Kanekalon fiber can be flat ironed on low heat!  So anyone getting tree braids or crochet braids should try to get the Kanekalon hair versus the Toyokalon.  There are youtube videos for flat ironing crochet braids.

Now for this braided Extra Long Side Ponytail, I used the same technique as the braided wraparound hairstyle except I used different hair packs.

I used a half pack of the 100% Kanekalon Bijoux Xpression Jumbo Braid on one side. (left side)

Then I used the 27" Pony yaki hair which was 100% Toyokalon on the other side. (right side)

I did not need 80+ inch hair on both sides of the head with it being only a side braid hairstyle.  So I was able to blend the shorter braid into the extra long braid and keep it looking natural. This is a great protective style for relaxed hair. I blow dried the hair then started the Goddess braiding.

Wigs and Extensions: Worried about Weight?

In this picture is a 100% Kanekalon wig that has been thinned out as well as some pinking shears from the fabric store. If you were to weigh each item separately on a scale, which do you think would weigh more?
The pinking shears weigh in at 4.75 ounces . . .
The layered wig weighs in at almost 5 ounces . . . oooohhhhh (4 7/8 oz). The wig weighs more than the pinking shears. Wow!
After weighing a 100% Human hair wig that was thinned out . . . it was about 3.75 ounces. That is an ounce or more lighter to carry around.

My point? Hair extensions, wigs, etc. can cause a lot of stress to the hair and scalp at all anchoring points. Human hair is lighter than the synthetic fibers. Weight and stress on the hair can cause thinning. The lighter the better!