Your Guide to Crochet Braids with Marley Hair for Natural Hair

Guide to Crochet Braids with Marley Hair: 3 Important Tips From a Professional Natural Hair Stylist & Video Tutorial

Do you remember Crochet braids from the 90’s. I know, I had some in ’94. They are back and better than ever. An awesome & quick protective style for all lengths of hair, perfect for the Fall and Winter.

Many have grown quite fond of protective styles for various reasons. Low or No manipulation styling, also known as protective style, is an effective way to grow your hair to desired lengths, when installed properly. In many cases, it takes less than 3 hrs to install & maybe 3 packs of Marley Braid Hair. Marly Braid Hair is the same hair you use for Marley Twists, Havana Twists, and some use it for Senegalese Twists, too.

Crochet braids and/or weave is the process of cornrowing one’s hair, and attaching extension hair to cornrows by utilizing a latch hook method. Sounds easy enough, right? But, if done without taking precautionary measures, one can ruin their hair, edges, and even lose length.

Before we get started, bookmark: Choosing the Right Crochet Braid Hair

Here are 3 tips for properly installing crochet braids to prevent any breakage or damage.

1. Purchase Proper Tools

When deciding to install crochet braids/weaves, you must first be sure to purchase the right tools. Any typical crochet needle will not suffice, but one that has a latch over the hook like this one. If you attempt it with your normal crochet needle (without latch hook), you will snag, rip and damage your hair almost every time you attempt to pull the needle back through.

When using the crochet needle, it is essential that you pay close attention to the hook, being sure that it’s completely closed before pulling through braids. The purpose of the latch hook is to provide a “snag less” motion when pulling extension through cornrow, but if not properly closed can also rip, tear, and damage hair. Using a latch hook crochet needle is imperative to the install and in maintaining the health of your hair.

2. Properly Prep Hair For Installation

It’s also recommended to do a protein treatment, followed by a deep moisturizing treatment prior to installation of any protective style. Protein plumps the strands which will also help combat breakage that may be caused by tension if the strands are weak or brittle. Following the treatment with a moisturizing treatment or mask will ensure that hair doesn’t dry out while wearing protective style. Restoring hair to proper moisture levels prior and during install of protective styles, will keep hair from breaking due to dryness.

3. Precautionary Measures

When attempting to cornrow the hair, a small amount of braiding (synthetic) hair should be used. By using synthetic hair, you are implementing a “line of defense” for your hair, which protects against breakage, that may otherwise be caused by tugging or thread used during the installation process. You run the risk of the thread or extensions cutting your hair, if precaution isn’t taken. We talked about how synthetic hair can cause wear and tear on your natural hair strands here.

When wearing protective styles, especially crochet braids, it’s imperative that you follow proper protocol to installation. Be sure to refrain from excessive tension, especially in sensitive areas such as edges and nape. Though protective styling has proven great for length retention and growth, it can be equally detrimental if done incorrectly. Avoiding excessive tension, tugging and rough combing (while wearing protective style) will lessen chances of traction alopecia. When in doubt, visit your local salon, one that specializing in natural hair and/or is knowledgeable in the particular style you desire to have installed.