I Discovered My New Favorite Protective Style, French Curl Braids, on a Recent Trip to Ghana

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Have you ever ever been on the hair salon solely to comprehend that each different consumer within the room is getting the identical coiffure… aside from you? This was me throughout my latest journey again house to Ghana. As I sat in my favourite salon in Accra, I seen I used to be the one particular person not getting French curl braids. Also called Nollywood braids, this regal type of field braids begins with neatly parted skinny braids and cascades into voluminous curls on the finish. “The enchantment [of this style] is the silky, bouncy look of the braids, to not point out they’re light-weight,” says Nigerian content material creator, hairstylist, and proprietor of Chi’s Luxe Braiding hair Chinyere “Chi-Chi” Adogu. And the type’s reputation extends effectively past Accra and Lagos: The braids are dominating TikTok with tens of millions of followers (278.7 million views on the #frenchcurl braids and 4.6 million views on the #nollywoodbraids, to be actual).

I ought to notice that the look isn’t model new however reasonably in its comeback period after its prime within the ‘90s and early aughts. Brooklyn-based braider Helena Koudou remembers the type as “Yaki Pony Braids” again when stars like Brandy steadily wore the look within the early 2000s. Round that point, it was additionally a go-to type for Nigerian actresses in Nollywood motion pictures, which is the way it bought the title Nollywood braids.

Ese Eboigbe

Woman posing in pink French curl braids hairstyle

Chinyere “Chi-Chi” Adogu

The Nollywood type began slowly making its manner again to the highlight stateside in 2022, after already resurfacing on crowns in West Africa. Adogu recollects being in Nigeria two years in the past and “seeing all the ladies in silky curly braids.” Koudou seen this too and anticipated the pattern would make its manner overseas. “I purchased French curl hair within the Ivory Coast in December of 2022 to deliver again to New York and a few months later folks began requesting the type,” says Koudou. The pattern died down in the course of 2023 however now that African diasporas have made their manner again to the states after the vacations, French curl braids are again in demand on the prime of 2024.

Temi Otedola wearing black French curl braids

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What kind of hair is used for French Curl Braids

This type is all in regards to the voluminous curly ends, so utilizing artificial hair ensures that the bouncy curls will maintain their form regardless of the climate or put on time. Specialised boutiques like Chi’s Luxe Braiding Hair (which solely sells French curl braiding hair) have mastered an artificial mix that appears and appears like human hair. Koudou likes to make use of extensions from one other Nigerian-owned model Darling Hair which is on the market on Amazon.

Chiamaka French curl braiding hair

Darling Free Physique Waves Braids Hair Extensions

The variety of packs wanted for a method all the time relies on the scale and size of the braids and the quantity of hair that’s in a pack, Koudou explains. Should you’re getting your French curl braids in a small dimension (1-inch extensive braids) right down to the center of your again, 5 to eight packs are sufficient for the entire head. Koudou suggests checking in case your salon provides French curl braiding hair (particularly in case you’re choosing a blended shade like honey blonde). Amazon provides quite a lot of choices like Lmzim French Curl Braiding Hair in 27 a copper blonde and Luoyudu Curly Braiding Hair Extensions in 27/33 and heat honey blonde mix.

What to anticipate throughout an appointment for French curl braids

Like most protecting kinds, French curl braids keep in for just a few weeks so it’s vital that your scalp is clear and your hair is moisturized earlier than being tucked away. Some stylists provide a pre-styling service, but when that’s not an possibility for you, make sure you arrive at your appointment with freshly-washed, blow-dried hair.

The type can take anyplace from 4 to seven hours to finish. The session will begin with the stylist parting and braiding your hair, feeding in items of braiding hair till you attain your required size. Should you’re making an attempt this type at house, It’s vital to tie a knot the place you resolve to cease braiding and let the curl unfastened to make sure the braid doesn’t unravel. Different field braid kinds — like boho braids — require dipping the hair in sizzling water to loosen the hair or activate the curl sample however you’ll be able to skip that step with French curl braids for the reason that hair already comes within the remaining curl sample. Dipping it in sizzling water may smash the hair.

How lengthy do French curl braids final?

Anticipate your French curl braids to last as long as six weeks with correct upkeep. The age of your braids will begin to present first within the unfastened curls. To keep away from tangling and matting, Koudou recommends spraying the ends with water and brushing the hair out frivolously.



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