What is Hair Banding?
I would refer to hair banding as the modern day version of the traditional technique of using ‘thread to bind the hair together’ to create a great protective style!
Hair banding however, requires the use of hair bands to band the hair, creating a unique approach to styling, air drying and stretching natural hair.
Why Band the hair?
Stretched hair:
Many naturals band their hair in maybe 4 sections after washing to help the hair to dry in a stretched state. By forgoing the hair dryer to stretch the hair, the hair remains healthier.
Style
Hair banding is a great way to style your hair too, you can maintain a slick high-fashion ponytail and simply band your ponytailed hair right down to the end, or you can create an eye catching shape by linking banded hair sections together.
Kids
On kid’s hair, use eye-catching coloured bands to brighten up their hair style. It’s a great alternative to braiding and cornrowing the hair.
As long as the hair is at least 3 inches, you can band to your hearts content!
How to-Band
NOTE: Banding is not just for natural hair, if your hair is relaxed, you can follow these tips too!
If you have just washed your hair:
Follow the ROOT2TiP sandwich moisture method to lock moisture into your strands.
Step 1
a. Spray the hair with our Honey-rain Juice to smooth and silken the hair out.
b. Apply some Quench My thirst Creme or Triple M Milk to intensify the moisture and…
c. lastly seal the moisture with our Nourish Hydrate and Shine Me Butter, this will give your hair a slick and shiny appearance, and smooth down any fly-away hairs.
Step 2
Decide how many sections you want to band?
Once decided, section your hair off ensuring the hair is detangled. Smooth down the hair with your hands and then use a natural boar brush. Now you apply your first band to the base of your section (as if making a ponytail), then continue to add the bands to the section, spacing your bands 2-3cm apart, and continue until you reach the end of your hair.
Step 3
Once you have completed all of your sections, dependant on how many sections you have, you can either join them together whilst they dry, or if you are rocking a banded pony- that’s it.
Top-Tips:
- Do not band your hair or child’s too tightly, in particular the first band you apply at the base, we don’t want to give ourselves traction alopecia!
- Use soft seamless hair bands or hair friendly elastics to band with.
- At night apply your satin scarf to keep your banded hair neat.
- If banding to stretch your hair, unravel your band gently in the morning to reveal soft stretched hair.
- Use a daily leave-in conditioner like our Honey-rain juice to spritz your banded style to maintain moisture.
Finally be daring with your style and show your true colours in the bands you choose…
Love yourself, Love your hair!
Sal
Root2Tip Founder, formulator, Hairducation Expert