How To Achieve Thick Braids
Do you often stare with envy at women who have thick braids trailing down their backs like Rapunzel, and wonder why your braids look so small and thin? There are ways you can achieve that big braid look and most of them are pretty simple. Read on to learn how to get hair that will make you the envy of Disney princesses everywhere.
Stretch It
After you've braided your hair, but before you tie the braid off with an elastic, gently tug the sides of your braid apart. This is called pancaking. Be careful that you don't pull so much that you take the braid apart. Your goal here is to make the braid appear wider, and loosening it a little will help make that happen. For the most effective technique, leave more of your hair unbraided at the end than you think you need. As you pancake your braid from top to bottom, those loose ends will be pulled up into the style, and you won't have quite as much loose hair hanging at the end.
Prep It
Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, and then try a volumizing powder when braiding your hair. A volumizing powder adds some texture to your hair, and makes it more sticky than slippery. This will make pancaking your braid a lot easier. Remember that a little volumizing powder goes a long way. Resist the temptation to overdo it. Another trick is to try teasing your hair a bit before beginning your braid. This will help pump up the volume of your style.
Fake It
Sometimes, hairstyles that aren't actually braids, but look like braids, can make you hair appear fuller than it actually is. Pull-through braids can make your style look ridiculously thick, especially if you finish it off with a pancaking technique. A faux fishtail braid will look thicker than an actual fishtail braid, and a Dutch braid will look fuller than a French braid. Choose your type of braid wisely to achieve as much fullness as you want.
Hair Extensions
If you've tried all of these techniques and still aren't achieving the thickness you desire, try using hair extensions. Hair extensions not only make hair longer, but they also can make hair appear thicker. You can get hair extensions at a salon for a more long-lasting head of thick, Rapunzel-like locks, or you can purchase clip-in extensions that you only use when braiding your hair. For the ultimate easy braid, you even can purchases braided extensions that allow you to just clip in your princess hair and go!
For more help, contact a company like Posh Hair Spa & Waxing.