Stretching - Natural Hair

Stretching - What is it?

Defined as:  “(of something soft or elastic) Be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking: "rubber will stretch easily when pulled".

Source

Why do we do it?

·         To combat shrinkage

·         Ease the styling process

·         Display actual length

How to do it:

·         Heat – Use the blow dryer and/or flat iron to dry the hair

*This is the method I use but in my opinion is the most damaging.  Therefore, I only do this every now and then for certain occasions.  So far this year, I have done this 3 times.  I primarily do it to create fullness. *Some opt to diffuse the hair after styling, which allows some stretch.

No Stretch - Wash n Go

·         NO Heat – Banding:  Separate wet or dry hair into multiple sections and wrap each using knee highs or cut off stockings along the section.  You could potentially end up with 2-3 bands per section depending on the length of your hair. 

*This method elongates your curls or coils prior to styling without changing curl pattern.

·         Braid or twist hair – large sections

*This method elongates also, however, it gives you a more defined pattern

·         Threading?  

Do you stretch?  If so, send some pics of your results to curlychictg@gmail.com with “I stretch” in the subject line.  Thanks ladies!

Curly Chic

Stretched - Dry Braid Out