Folding hair, often referred to as tucking or wrapping your natural hair into the extension hair when creating braids like box braids, is a key technique for achieving a seamless look. The goal is to effectively hide your natural hair within the braiding extension.
Tucking Natural Hair into Braids
Tucking your natural hair involves integrating it smoothly with the braiding hair so that it is not visible on the surface of the finished braid. This helps create a uniform color and texture throughout the braid and protects your natural hair.
Based on techniques used in braiding, one method involves strategically placing and wrapping the hair. Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Placement: Position your natural hair in between a section of the braiding extension hair. Think of the extension hair as being split into at least two pieces, with your natural hair nestled in the middle of one of those splits.
- Wrapping: Take one piece of the braiding extension hair and wrap it around your natural hair and the middle piece of extension hair that it is positioned between.
- Section Size: The piece of extension hair you use for wrapping should be slightly bigger than the middle piece you initially threaded your natural hair through. This ensures adequate coverage to hide your natural hair effectively.
By wrapping the slightly larger piece of extension hair around your natural hair and the core extension piece, you encase your own hair, making the start of the braid look neat and fully composed of the extension fiber.
Benefits of Tucking
- Seamless Appearance: Hides your natural hair color and texture, creating a uniform braid from root to tip.
- Protection: Encasing your natural hair can help protect it from the elements and manipulation during styling.
- Longevity: A well-tucked braid can look neater for longer.
Mastering this tucking or folding technique at the base of the braid is essential for a clean, professional finish, particularly when installing styles like box braids.
