Kanekalon: features, types and rules of care
Unfortunately, nature has cheated some of the fair sex with chic hair or patience in order to grow long hair on their own. The beauty industry has taken this aspect into account, and for a long time, many girls have successfully resorted to hair extensions. With the help of artificial strands, it is possible in just a few hours to find long and thick braids, which can be of various colors and shades.
What it is?
Kanekalon is an unnatural fiber that is very similar to natural human strands. This product was developed in Japan and later became widely used around the world. Wigs are made from this product, which are in great demand in Russia and the former CIS countries.
Due to its composition, kanekalon is very close in appearance to human hair. This is achieved through the use of modern technologies and natural ingredients in the form of seaweed. All products made from this substance have a long service life and look much more spectacular than products made from artificial material. The fiber is very similar in structure to real hair.
Initially, kanekalon was produced in a variety of colors, which, when mixed, allowed to create new shades. The fiber has increased strength and elasticity, it is not damaged when combing. Due to the special processing, the kanekalon threads can keep the curls for a long time. Due to the fact that the fiber is synthetic, it is almost 10 times lighter than natural hair.It is used for weaving African braids. From the threads of such a fiber, high-quality dreadlocks on the head are obtained.
This product is the most widely used material for creating African hairstyles. The fiber palette has over 100 different colors - from natural to insanely creative. On sale there is a smooth material that has an appropriate structure. This option is perfect for point and linear weaving hair extensions. This product can also be used with short haircuts.
It makes it easy to create extra volume or fix fake bangs as a fashion experiment. The synthetic material is attached to the hair using small knots or simply woven into it.
There is a minor limitation. When using synthetic fibers, natural strands should be about 5-7 cm long.
Kanekalon looks quite natural and natural if you choose shades that match your natural hair color.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any product from the beauty industry, kanekalon has its advantages and disadvantages.
The main advantages of kanekalon:
- perfectly increases the length and volume of natural strands;
- when drying and laying, the fibers are little electrified and do not fluff;
- the cosmetic product contains only environmentally friendly and reliable components that remain hygienic even during long-term use;
- kanekalon will help to bring to life even the most daring experiment with your appearance - with the help of artificial fibers, you will not need to radically change the hairstyle, color and length of natural hair;
- with experience, you can create bright and unforgettable images on your hair every day.
Some Cons of Artificial Fiber:
- when wet, the unnatural fiber significantly gains weight, this leads to the fact that the hair is strongly pulled down and injured;
- the color of the kanekalon fades very quickly, which is why the fibers need to be replaced quite often;
- even with a strong similarity of shades, artificial fiber will be noticeable on natural strands;
- in order for artificial strands to be securely fixed, they must be woven very tightly, which, in turn, can lead to injury to the natural strands and scalp.
Types and properties
Artificial kanekalon fibers are divided into types according to their composition, colors and method of curling. In the beginning, just over 40 colors were developed for man-made fibers. A little later, when mixing the basic shades, it was possible to create an impressive number of different colors.
Kanekalon is subdivided into the following types:
- with weaving of various threads, ribbons, natural hair or without weaves;
- it can be used on half of the head, only on the temples or over the entire surface of the head;
- the product can be used on hair of various lengths.
Fiber is also usually distinguished by the method of curling:
- large and small strands;
- corrugated fibers.
Unnatural fibers are very easy to tolerate the heat treatment process. With them, you can make a gentle image, or, conversely, fatal and daring, with large or small curls. To create an image, it is possible to use curling irons with various attachments. After the hairstyle is ready, it can be kept in excellent quality from 3 to 14 days. The hairstyle will retain its spectacular appearance for a long time, depending on the quality of the products used in the form of fixing products, gentle handling and the intensity of the use of combs.
Kanekalon is also divided by color.
- Fibers of the same color.
- The fibers are dyed using the ombre technique. This is a special method for dyeing strands, when several shades of paint are present in one strand. It can be very smooth or, conversely, bright color combinations and transitions.The whole strand can stand out or only the tip of the fibers, which will be colored in different shades.
- Curls under the influence of ultraviolet radiation can glow in a special way. These strands are perfect for a club or theme party.
- The shade of the fibers changes under the influence of the sun. This is a great option for a carnival or party.
Experts urge to pay attention to contrasting combinations. On fair-haired girls, dark strands look very impressive, but rather light threads will help brunettes to refresh their image. Neon and bright colors are best used for events, photo shoots and various themed parties.
For everyday use at work or school, it is worth choosing strands of muted shades. Of course, this will not work if there is a strict dress code at work.
Color spectrum
Various colors of kanekalon are in fashion. Each girl chooses for herself favorite and suitable colors for her lifestyle. Various braids and intricate weaving are currently in a big trend. However, not everyone can boast of beautiful hair and long curls.
For young ladies, choose pink, white, purple, green or turquoise kanekalon. Such artificial strands on young women of fashion look very bright and more appropriate than on older ladies. Lovers of experiments in the older age group should take a closer look at the strands that have light and dark shades, but in a natural range.
Perhaps it will be strands with a gradient in chestnut or wheat colors.
For a party and carnival, solid red or gray artificial fibers are fine. Black strands are great for a gothic party or Halloween celebration.
For the office or study, it is worth choosing a solid color option that will not strongly contrast with the natural hair color. There are currently over 100 different colors and shades of kanekalon on sale. Any fashionista can choose a suitable option for herself.
Subtleties of choice
Pigtails fit most people of all ages. Braids look very impressive on stylish and informal youth. For blondes and fair-haired guys, choose bright shades of blue, pink, purple, dark chocolate or neon shades. Brunettes should choose strands of neon, blue, pink, white and red shades. The thicker the natural hair, the more impressive the braids on the head will look. It is better for miniature young ladies to choose romantic braids and delicate kanekalon colors.
Very often, unscrupulous sellers can offer ordinary synthetic strands instead of kanekalon.
You should consider the basic rules when buying a kanekalon.
- Synthetics and kanekalon seem to be absolutely identical, but the former weighs much more.
- It is possible to check the authenticity of a purchase only at home. If the kanekalon is immersed in boiling water for 5 seconds, and then taken out, then it should straighten and become similar to natural hair. If the strand has not changed in any way, then ordinary synthetic fiber was purchased.
- Synthetics are much cheaper.
- When using synthetics, craftsmen often set fire to the ends of the strands to make them look more natural.
- Various variations of braids with kanekalon look much neater and more spectacular than synthetic fibers.
Experts assure that real professionals will not use cheap and synthetic fakes on their clients. But it is also worth contacting trusted salons and with a good reputation in order to end up with the desired image.
How to use?
To change your image, it is possible to go to a hairdresser or try to create an interesting hairstyle at home using a strand of kanekalon. It is important to choose a high quality product and buy it from a trusted supplier. Strands of saturated and neon colors are in great demand among young fashionistas. More conservative girls choose kanekalon in a calm and natural color. To create an unforgettable look, hairdressers recommend choosing strands of different color intensity and combining them with each other.
It is important to use quality hair fixing products. In the process of weaving various braids, a special gel or high-quality varnish with good characteristics is used.
To fix the braids, hairpins and elastic bands, transparent or matching the shades of the strands, are purchased.
Basic rules for using kanekalon strands.
- Natural strands should only be washed with shampoo. Do not use masks and special sprays. Natural strands must be structured, otherwise artificial fibers will not hold well.
- Hair should be dried with a hair dryer. Then you need to comb them well and apply a cosmetic product over the entire length of the strand.
- The hair should be divided by the number of strands required. If there is no experience in using artificial fiber, then it is worth starting with two or three strands that are braided in the bangs area.
- At the roots, the material is fastened with a knot, hairpin, or tied. Artificial fiber can be woven into the structure of natural hair.
- The braid needs to be woven using additional strands. The pigtail is fixed and then hides inside the tail. The braid is fixed with a strong varnish.
If you can't create a spectacular hairstyle with kanekalon on your own, then you can contact a hairdresser where they make such braids. The cost of the procedure depends on the way the kanekalon is woven and the length of natural hair. Fibers woven into boxing braids are the most popular and beautiful method of weaving man-made fibers.
With this method, up to 4 braids are braided. It is necessary to start weaving from the frontal part. The less natural hair you have, the more braids you need to make.
Such braids can stay beautifully for up to 5 days. After they unravel, the artificial fiber becomes disheveled and loses all its gloss. To extend the life of the hairstyle, it is better to go to bed in a scarf or a special hat at night. It is recommended to weave the fiber only into fresh, washed and dry strands.
From each section of the future braid, it is necessary to distribute several strands, to which artificial fiber will then be fixed. When weaving a French braid, it is necessary to add a little kanekalon to the top. At the end, the braid can be secured with a knot, a hairpin, or wrapped with artificial fiber in the form of a knot.
Hairpins are very effective and fast. This option will not take much time, but it will allow you to create a new and effective image. This hairstyle is easy to do at home and is perfect for any event and celebration. In the process of braiding, experts advise using 2-3 variations of hairstyles using artificial fibers. Such a complex hairstyle will always look very stylish and interesting. The braid can decorate only one part of the head, and the rest of the strands can be fixed with a curling iron and create beautiful waves. Artificial threads tolerate heat well.
Openwork and tight braids using artificial fiber of bright shades look very impressive. Build-up with kanekalon is not very popular due to its short service life. The material looks better when weaving a variety of braids.
Let's see how braids are created using kanekalon.
- Natural strands should be washed and dried thoroughly. If your hair is unruly and wavy, then you should use a gel or special paste for fixing.
- The natural strands are divided into braids according to the desired number of braids.
- At each section where the strands are divided, it is worth fixing artificial fibers of the selected color. They are immediately knotted around natural hair. If the knot came out loose, then it is worth fixing it with a hairpin or elastic band.
- Braids begin to weave in the French way, when the strands are superimposed on one another. Colored threads are gradually added as each braid lengthens.
- The ends are fixed with a piece of strand or elastic. The entire hairstyle is secured with a lot of varnish.
- Braids are woven very tightly, an allergic reaction on the scalp is possible.
African braids have been very popular for a long time and do not go out of style. Such a procedure in the salon is quite an expensive pleasure. But some girls manage to perform such a complex weaving technique at home. The principle of weaving such braids is similar to the previous one, only the number of strands is much larger.
For African braids, solid or colored strands are used, as well as various variations of ombre.
Here is a step-by-step weaving method.
- To get these pigtails, you need two options for fine combs. One is needed with small teeth, and the other with a long handle to separate the strands.
- The strands are fixed with elastic bands or a special adhesive.
- Before the procedure, you should wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and do not use additional care products. The dried hair is divided into equal parts. You need to start weaving Afro-braids from the back of the head. The strands are divided into strands that have the same thickness.
- Weaving should be done from the back of the head and towards the frontal part of the head. It is important to maintain the direction of the braids when weaving.
- These braids can retain their presentable appearance for about four months. Everything will depend on the intensity of natural hair growth. It is necessary to take care of such pigtails in the same way as for braids. Afro-braids are recommended if natural strands are more than 5-7 sentiments.
The easiest and fastest method to build up strands of any size and color is to use barrettes.
- Due to special hairpins, overhead strands are attached to natural hair. Thanks to this technology, in just a few minutes, it is possible to make long and voluminous hair for almost any girl.
- The main advantages are the environmental safety of this method. When building up, no thermal effect is used. These pinned strands are very lightweight and easy to use. There is no load on natural hair.
- Of the significant drawbacks, many experts note some discomfort from the presence of hairpins in the head. This hairstyle is short-term. In strong gusts of wind, hairpins may be visible on the head.
Artificial fiber, not natural, is very popular with many women and environmentalists. This method is carried out in the same way as when using natural strands.
Let's consider the features of this procedure.
- Starting from the back of the head, each part of the head is divided into thin strands, and kanekalon is glued to them with the help of a special device on special capsules. Such capsules are placed at a distance of no more than 1 cm from the hair roots. Locked capsules consist of keratin, which, when heated by the device, tightly envelops natural and artificial hair.
- This method involves wearing artificial strands for a long time. With this method of extension, the use of a variety of hairstyles is allowed.
- The technique also has obvious disadvantages. This method of building up takes quite a long time. This method is not environmentally friendly.The use of chemical components in the extension process and for the removal of artificial strands has a detrimental effect on natural hair. During the building process, very high temperature conditions are used.
The Spanish method of cold building is in great demand.
- This method involves attaching an artificial fiber to a natural one using a special adhesive base and fixer. The adhesions are not very large and flat.
- This way of building has undeniable advantages. Small adhesions are completely invisible in the hair. Such extension allows you to enjoy a beautiful hairstyle for a long time. There are no contraindications for this technique.
- Refers to environmentally unsafe methods.
It is important to consider that kanekalon is a man-made fiber that breaks down rather quickly. Hair starts to look unnatural and unkempt with it. It is better to use artificial fiber for weaving a variety of braids or create hairstyles for events using pinch strands.
How to care?
When using artificial fiber in your hair it is important to follow a number of binding rules.
- It is recommended to wash your hair with sulphate-free shampoos or shampoos diluted with water.
- The artificial fiber is very soft and can fluff up a little on the head. In order for the strands to please longer, you should use special means for fixing the hair. These can be special masks, gels, pastes and varnishes with strong hold.
- Experts do not recommend blow-drying kanekalon. Under the influence of hot air, the fibers can fluff up strongly, ruining the entire appearance, or even becoming unsuitable for further use.
No matter how difficult kanekalon is to care for, it is much easier to build it up or weave it into natural hair without damaging it.
It is possible to wear kanekalon in your hair for about a week. After the specified period, the strands will begin to fluff, and the appearance will not be very neat. If artificial fiber is woven into small braids, then the product stays in the hair for about 30 days. If you wash your hair very often, the colors will fade quickly. Neutral or natural shades of fibers can be used daily, walk in this form to work or school. It is better to wear kanekalon intermittently. After removing the product from natural hair, they need good rehabilitation and restoration.
If overhead strands were used, then after removal they must be treated with a special spray and gently combed.
The following video provides step-by-step instructions for braiding with kanekalon.