Knotless Braids Not Full

If you have done braids and then complained that your knotless

braids are not full, you have lots of company!  Not all braiders have been in the business long enough to know what to do to capture that “inspo” picture you brought her!

When I see people who say their knotless braids are not full, the reasons for this are:

• Not enough hair was fed into the straight braid and few curls were added.
• Partings were too big for the client’s head.
• Clients’ hair density is low and braiders did not make allowances.
• Partings done in rows instead using a bricklayer pattern.

From my interacting with braiders over the years, these are some of the things to look for

when seeking an experienced braider:

• One who considers the clients hair density when choosing parting size.
• A braider who prefers a happy customer over cutting the time or extending the time taken to finish. 
• If they have enough experience in the braiding business does show up in their work.
• One who adds too much hair on hair that is low density is not experienced enough.
• Unless the client requests it, small partings on a person with lots of hair will make the hair heavy and big.
• Pictures lie as they are a selected space/angle in time.   Examine  the picture very carefully before saying it is well done.  However, clients often bring less hair than necessary for the service, which can undermine the person’s work.
• If the braider is experienced, discuss and confirm the price for the service because some will give you what you paid for.

If you feel your knotless braids are not full, it could be because of any of these reasons so do your research before making a choice.  Cheaper is not always better.

 By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.