How to Elongate Your Curls | Elemo hair
Sep 30, 2021
Let me tell you, there is nothing more frustrating than having long, curly hair, but no one can see it. This daily challenge curlies refer to as "shrinkage" presents several problems for us curlies with type 4 kinks. It's almost like one day you're rocking a blown out twistout and everyone can't believe how long your hair has gotten. The next day, you come in with a shrunken afro and mouths drop. You are constantly bombarded with, "I love your haircut" all day long. I can't be the only one who has experienced this, right?
The good part is, no matter how you feel about your hair shrinkage, there are endless ways to elongate your curly hair and give it a nice stretch.
HERE ARE 4 WAYS TO STRETCH YOUR CURLY HAIR:
1. Blow-dry Curls Using the Tension Method
Some say blow drying your curls can cause damage. I say your blow dryer can be your best friend if you use it correctly. When wanting a longer, stretched look, I turn my blow dryer on the "cool" setting. This allows the temperature to find a sweet spot between cold and warm. This helps keep the heat damage away.
Once we're turned on cool, I use the tension method to blow dry my hair. Instead of using the comb attachment or a brush, I simply hold my hair our at its length and blow dry. This means thoroughly detangling my hair first, then stretching it to its maximum length and waving the blow dryer back and forth until that section dries.
In all, it takes me about 30-40 minutes to complete this task. Keep in mind, I have a lot of hair, so times may vary depending on your hair length.
2. African Threading
If you have some time to spare - maybe a weekend - African threading can be a lifesaver. You'll use weaving thread to wrap around the entire length of your hair. This will keep your curls in a stretched state as they dry. Once your hair is fully dry, you'll remove the thread and style as usual. It'll look as if you've just blow dried your curls - but without heat.
This method does take a while to see results as your hair will need to fully dry before you can take the thread out.
3. Banding
Another method is to use stretchy bands wrapped around the length of the hair.
4. Braiding or Twisting
An easy method for stretching your curls is to braid or twist in medium-sized sections.
And if you're pressed for time or energy, one of the easiest and simplest is pulling your hair into a bun.
So you know how to stretch your curls, but what types of products are best to keep them stretched? Since I have type 4 kinky curls, my hair seems to stretch better when using heavier products.
What methods do you use for stretching your curls?
The good part is, no matter how you feel about your hair shrinkage, there are endless ways to elongate your curly hair and give it a nice stretch.
HERE ARE 4 WAYS TO STRETCH YOUR CURLY HAIR:
1. Blow-dry Curls Using the Tension Method
Some say blow drying your curls can cause damage. I say your blow dryer can be your best friend if you use it correctly. When wanting a longer, stretched look, I turn my blow dryer on the "cool" setting. This allows the temperature to find a sweet spot between cold and warm. This helps keep the heat damage away.
Once we're turned on cool, I use the tension method to blow dry my hair. Instead of using the comb attachment or a brush, I simply hold my hair our at its length and blow dry. This means thoroughly detangling my hair first, then stretching it to its maximum length and waving the blow dryer back and forth until that section dries.
In all, it takes me about 30-40 minutes to complete this task. Keep in mind, I have a lot of hair, so times may vary depending on your hair length.
2. African Threading
If you have some time to spare - maybe a weekend - African threading can be a lifesaver. You'll use weaving thread to wrap around the entire length of your hair. This will keep your curls in a stretched state as they dry. Once your hair is fully dry, you'll remove the thread and style as usual. It'll look as if you've just blow dried your curls - but without heat.
This method does take a while to see results as your hair will need to fully dry before you can take the thread out.
Another method is to use stretchy bands wrapped around the length of the hair.
4. Braiding or Twisting
An easy method for stretching your curls is to braid or twist in medium-sized sections.
And if you're pressed for time or energy, one of the easiest and simplest is pulling your hair into a bun.
What methods do you use for stretching your curls?