Ways To Stretch Natural Hair Without Blow Drying?

[GraceJones]

My braider usually like to blow dry me before she does my cornrows. I'm trying to cut down on the heat though.

I tried threading before but my hair turned into a tangled mess. I tried banding as well, but I didn't get that good of a stretch. I made about 12 sections all over my head and air dried. I usually use this leave in. I'm a 4b between SL and APL. My hair grows supppper slow

 

[Dee-Licious]

Curl formers. Look up Naptural85 video on the heatless blowout

 

[FadingDelilah]

I think the curlformers wouldn't stretch her type 4b hair enough if she's saying banding didn't work that well for her. I would try medium-large rollers and then follow it up with a wrap to remove the curls. If you use a fine tooth comb, keep the hair taut while rolling and some gel to smooth the hair, it can get VERY stretched. Almost like you flat ironed it.

 

[Dee-Licious]

I’m a 4c verrrryyyy tightly coiled and they stretch mine well as a good basis for stretched styles.

 

[faithVA]

I agree about the curlformers. They stretch my 4b hair just fine. However rollersetting on magnetic rollers works just as well.

I've also been able to stretch with Bantu knots. The trick is to dry in the Bantu knots then take them down and reinstall them to stretch them a second time.

They probably would work w8th banding as well. You need to do it twice.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

I wouldn't let the braider braid my hair if heat is required. I know braiders that can braid like the wind blows without heat of any kind.

Bantu knots stretch pretty well.

 

[NappyNelle]

I let my hair air dry in eight braids, then take each one down, and braid it again. I seal my damp hair with a butter mix; I don't use an additional water based leave in after my deep conditioner is rinsed out.

However, I agree with the previous posters that curlformers and bantu knots are probably better options for you since they smooth the strands better than braids.

 

[GraceJones]

I bought some curlformers so we'll see if they work

 

[faithVA]

I bought some curlformers so we'll see if they work

Keep your product application light so your hair dries. If you have dry ends you can apply and oil or serum to them.

 

[Ipanema]

My hair is 4b, and I agree that braids are good for a super stretched look, especially if you get the braids very taut at the roots. Braid the hair smoothly and tautly, and let it air-dry. Then when it's dry, take the braids out, smooth them out, oil them, and then braid them up again. It works.

 

[ThursdayGirl]

You folks using curlformers, which ones? I always wind up with the hook getting caught in my hair and curler . So frustrating. What is the trick to make it work?

 

[faithVA]

You folks using curlformers, which ones? I always wind up with the hook getting caught in my hair and curler . So frustrating. What is the trick to make it work?

Make sure the curlformer is positioned correctly. The top is angled so check the angle. I can't think of a good way to explain it. Avoid the temptation to use large sections of hair. Twist the roots and put the hook completely around the hair. Push the curlformer up closer to the root and pull through.

Slow down and take deep breaths.

 

[Dee-Licious]

You folks using curlformers, which ones? I always wind up with the hook getting caught in my hair and curler . So frustrating. What is the trick to make it work?

What @faithVA said plus don't use too much hair for one section of curler. I know I have too much in a section when it gets stuck/caught up.

 

[dyh080]

I let my hair air dry in eight braids, then take each one down, and braid it again. I seal my damp hair with a butter mix; I don't use an additional water based leave in after my deep conditioner is rinsed out.

However, I agree with the previous posters that curlformers and bantu knots are probably better options for you since they smooth the strands better than braids.

Yes, this.

 

[dyh080]

On damp hair, very lightly grease, braid. Take apart after a few hours, then repeat until loose to your liking.

 

[yamilee21]

Sometimes to stretch hair, I part it into 6-12 sections, fastened with an elastic at the base so that the roots are stretched. Then I tuck a strip of silk cloth into the elastic and wrap the strip tightly around the section of hair. It works better than banding. It's almost the same as threading, but a little easier. I've used this technique on a variety of hair types.

 

[LaVgirl]

I like kimmaytube's method of small twists on jumbo rollers. I think it's her Level 3 stretch. I do this weekly and it gives me such good stretch.