What are Kanekalon braids and how to weave them?

Modern fashion trends are making their own adjustments to hair decoration and hairstyles. The use of material such as kanekalon belongs to this newfangled trend. Thanks to the available varieties of such trendy raw materials, weaving has become popular all over the world, so colored strands are widely used in home and salon hairstyles.

Bright and creative strands woven into intricate little Afro-braids or large French braids have remained in trend for more than a season, so the innovation has begun to be used not only in everyday life, but also at designer shows of world fashion houses. In fact, Kanekalon is a high quality synthetic fiber that closely resembles a natural strand of hair in its appearance and tactile sensations.

The weaving of such material is practiced not only in braids, today dreadlocks and other voluminous and fashionable hairstyles are created with the help of kanekalon.

A distinctive advantage of raw materials is the ability, with a little practical experience, to braid your favorite hairstyle model from braids yourself at home, which makes the material even more in demand. Multi-colored strands do not pose any harm to human health and the environment, however, the effect of their use will be simply stunning. Most often, manufacturers paint their products in flashy colors, and kanekalon can be ordered or purchased freely at retail or in an online store.

A similar way to emphasize your hairstyle is used in everyday life, as well as for the stage image. There are no age, race or gender restrictions for weaving. Therefore, an ordinary girl, woman or even a child can use the latest products in the hairdressing industry. In addition, kanekalon is suitable for owners of any skin and hair color.

Even in everyday life - at school or at work, and not just on vacation, in the absence of a strict dress code, such hairstyles can be worn by everyone, without exception. However, hairdressers and stylists still recommend following the recommendations of experts when choosing a suitable hairstyle with colored material in order to take into account all the nuances of appearance, face contour, forehead height, etc.

Today, in specialized salons, you can buy two types of kanekalon. The classification is based on the composition.

• The first group includes a material that includes natural components of seaweed with a composition of absolutely harmless dyes. Such products stand out for a longer operational life, ease of use, so it will be much easier to weave such strands for itself due to the texture of the material. In addition, fixing the ends of one thick braid or several small braids can be better and more reliable.
• The second type of product is also not harmful to human health, but it does not contain natural ingredients. For such products, a shorter period of use is characteristic, it is a little more difficult to care for the strands (this applies to heat treatment), and a special adhesive will also be needed to fix the ends. However, artificial strands are better cleaned of all kinds of dirt with conventional hair care products.

Also, products are different in their texture. Today, the following strands are distinguished for weaving:

• straight products;
• twisted strands;
• products with a corrugated effect.

According to the color criterion, decorative material has a more extensive classification.

• Kanekalon-fluor - a type of raw material that is distinguished by the ability to glow under the influence of artificial ultraviolet radiation from lighting devices. It is this option that is chosen for attending events and parties in nightlife entertainment venues or in open areas.
• Chameleon - this variety has its own characteristics that relate to color. We are talking about changes in shade when the material comes into contact with sunlight.
• Ordinary material, which is presented in a wide range of colors.

To classify the last subgroup, it is worth highlighting the most trending shades of the strands.

• Acid pink, purple and other varieties of bright colors, as well as all their shades, remain at the peak of popularity. Such materials are suitable for both dark hair and fair-haired representative fair sex, regardless of age.
• For lovers of delicate images and styles, the manufacturer offers shades close to natural black, ash or straw.

According to the type of hairstyles created, kanekalon is divided into several types.

• Afro-braids, of which there can be from 20 to 200 pieces on the head. As a rule, this option is applicable for owners of hair longer than 6 centimeters. In this case, the effect of the hairstyle will increase in direct proportion to the number of thin braids. After fixing the braids, you can wear it as you like - gathered in a large pigtail, tail, bun, or left in its original form.
• Spikelet has many variations, and together with the kanekalon strands, you can decorate the braid festively and unusually. There are such spikelets with bright artificial inserts: "fish tail", zigzag spikelet, double, with kanekolon on the side and around the head.
• For ombre decoration you can use bright monophonic strands, as well as with the transition of completely different shades to one another. It is better to entrust such a weaving option to an experienced craftsman or first study the step-by-step instructions for implementation.
• Also braids with kanekalon of different colors done on hair of medium length or for short haircuts. In this case, it turns out with colored inserts to increase the length of the hair for the period of wearing the braids.

• With the help of kanekalon, you can weave French braids. Their number depends on the client's wishes. Therefore, there may be one multi-colored braid on the head, two or more. They can also be placed in different versions. Usually, straight lines are placed in a standard position, but if there are many braids, then the master can lay them in a circle.

Based on the recommendations of professional hairdressers, the ideal hair length for braiding with kanekalon will be 15 centimeters or more. Also, before creating a hairstyle, you should wash your hair and apply a moisturizing and softening spray or gel.

It is worth highlighting a number of mandatory rules that should be followed when operating kanekalons for weaving any types of braids:

• artificial material should be as efficiently and reliably attached to natural hair as possible;
• regardless of the number of braids and their thickness, the weaving should be very tight;
• to facilitate the process of creating hairstyles with additional strands, it would be more correct to use professional styling and hair care products that will help, if necessary, to untangle the hairs.

In order to understand the process of weaving the material, you can follow the step-by-step guide, which is applicable not only for the master, but also for independent work. In the case of weaving two French braids, the algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• first, the hair must be divided into an even parting or done in the form of a zigzag;
• one part should be fixed so that it does not interfere with work;
• the first half is combed and smoothed so that the hair does not become electrified;
• then the colored artificial strand is fixed around the first part of the hair in the form of a knot, it is possible to increase the reliability of fastening the kanekalon with a hairpin;
• then a French braid is woven according to the standard pattern, however, in the course of work, multi-colored material should be laid on top of a natural strand;
• at the end, an already braided multi-colored braid should be tied with a transparent elastic band, and one of the strands is hidden by wrapping it around;
• so that the hair does not frizz and remains smooth in the braid, it is best to treat it with clay or paste at the end;
• the second braid is braided in a similar way.

To weave a French volumetric braid, on the contrary, you should perform the following steps:

• at the base of the central strand, it is necessary to fix the kanekalon;
• then weave the braid very tightly, laying the multi-colored insert on top of the natural one;
• while weaving, you should pull out a little hair on the sides, while leaving the middle tight;
• at the end, the hairstyle is secured with an elastic band, which can be hidden by wrapping it with a natural or colored strand and fixed with varnish.

Depending on the type of weaving and the number of braids, the length of time you wear the hairstyle will vary. However, hair that will be braided for more than one week will require compulsory grooming. As a rule, it is quite simple to care for hair with kanekalon, this process can be carried out at home on your own, without the help of a master from the salon and any special equipment. Washing technology is the following:

• first, a braid or several braids must be moistened with water;
• then you should dilute the shampoo with a small amount of water in a convenient container, prepare a sponge;
• using a sponge, the composition is applied to the hair, left on the head for 5-10 minutes;
• then the hair should be rinsed under warm running water;
• blot with a towel.

The period that you can wear braids with kanekalon does not depend on the length of your natural hair. Based on how tightly the braids are braided, as well as on their number, you can walk with a hairstyle with colored strands from 2 days to six months. However, if the strands are knocked out or too loose, the braids will have to be unraveled ahead of schedule.

Colored kanekalon can be reused after it has been removed from the hair. After removing it, it should be washed and dried, and after drying it should be used again.

There are a number of recommendations regarding the period of wearing braids with multi-colored inserts:

• voluminous French braids are made for about 5-7 days;
• two spikelets with kanekalon will have a neat appearance no more than 3 days;
• Afro-braids last the longest, so you can walk with them from 3 weeks to 6 months.

Today, you can emphasize your original image with ordinary weaving with colored strands, but weaving several braids from the back of the head using pale pink inserts will allow you to make a truly original hairstyle. In order to bring all the weaving together, you can use a high bun, which should be decorated with the same colored material at the base. This option will be universal, so it is suitable for both dark-haired girls and blondes.

For bold and extraordinary solutions to the use of multi-colored kanekalon, weaving of afro-braids with several colors of artificial inserts will be an excellent option. Rainbow thin braids will adorn any youth look, and long braids can be collected in a colored bun or worn with a bright and free waterfall.

The color of the used inserts can be matched to any thematic image. A successful combination will be the use of kanekalon ombre, with which you can make voluminous and delicate braids in a pink-turquoise version, which is also suitable for a summer vacation or a bright party with a floral-style dress code.

For information on how to weave colored braids with kanekalon, see the video below.