A Beginner’s Guide to Wigs and Weaves

Weaves require a bit more commitment, depending on how you style them, but that doesn’t make them any less wearable than wigs. We’re breaking down the different types of weaves ahead.

Sew-In Weaves

Getting a sew-in weave is a bit of a lengthier process than installing a wig. For this, a stylist can install several cornrows throughout your natural hair before sewing your desired amount of bundles or “tracks” into your hair. This can usually take anywhere from two to six hours, depending on how many bundles you’re installing (two or three is a good amount) and how speedy your stylist is.

Since they can typically last anywhere from six to 10 weeks at a time, weaves are more appealing to people interested in sporting protective styles and putting less stress on their natural hair for a given amount of time. They’re also more convenient for people who engage in a lot of physical activity like dancing, working out regularly, or playing sports, because the hair is sewn into place.

But even though these are looked at as go-to protective styles for many, there are still practices Taylor recommends keeping in mind in order to make sure your hair underneath the weave stays healthy and moisturized. “You want to make sure to keep your scalp moisturized with nourishing oils like Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and get your hair deep conditioned and your ends trimmed every eight weeks,” she says. “Your wigs and weaves should be shampooed at least every three weeks and cared for just like your natural hair.”

Partial Sew-In

A partial sew-in is just a sew-in with a leave-out, which is a portion of natural hair in the front, back, or side of the head that’s not braided down. Instead, it’s left out and blended into the weave. Partial sew-ins can often look more natural, depending on the texture of the hair that’s being installed, but a major downside to wearing leave-outs is that they’re subject to overmanipulation like heat styling, which usually leads to breakage and heat damage.

Clip-In Extensions

Wearing clip-ins is a tad less time-consuming and easier to DIY. They don’t require braids or cornrows to be worn underneath, as these are smaller pieces of extensions that you can clip or snap into your real hair. Depending on your skill level, you don’t even have to go to a professional to have them installed, but the only drawback is they call for you to manipulate your hair a little bit more than you would if you wore a sew-in.

Quick Weaves
Quick weaves are somewhat like wigs due to the fact that they aren’t sewn into braids or a net and require a wig cap. To get the look, you braid your hair down and cover it with a wig cap. Making sure to mark and cut out the area that you want left out. Then, you glue wefted extensions onto the entire perimeter of the cap, blending it with your leave-out for the final look.