Paranda variation (Kanekalon)

[lapushka]

This YT hairstyle guru ;) is using Kanekalon hair as an extension to create a Cersei Lannister style. I'm wondering if the Kanekalon that she uses might be a good replacement for Paranda's. She uses them as such to create the braids.

Just an idea. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wdweKQ_0lE

[lunasea]

Thanks lapushka! I've been looking for inexpensive hair to make into a paranda to blend into my length as my roots are growing out. I've only ever seen that Kanekalon hair in black at Sally's but I just went online and found it in a bunch of other colors. I think I can do a custom mix. I would have never searched if you didn't put this out there!

[allierat]

I was thinking about this after seeing a thread yesterday about parandas. I used to make synthetic dreadlocks using kanekalon, I also used it for braids and I think I still have some somewhere. You can get it in practically every colour you ever imagined, the more natural colours are usually cheaper. It can be straightened or curled which gives pretty ends to braids.

[cathair]

I have a paranda made of synthetic hair my Mum brought me back from Goa. I have been meaning to blog about it for months, but I haven't managed to take a picture of it in a decent French braid yet lol.

It's very common in Goa to wear these. I asked my Mum to go paranda shopping while she was on holiday, they had never heard of paranda, but they had loads of these. They call them 'hair extras'.

I will see if I can dig out some pictures of the 'hair extra' on it's own :)

[Quasiquixotic]

Neat idea!

[meteor]

Oh my God! :thudpile: I absolutely LOVE that Cersei Lannister hair! Thank you so very much for sharing this tutorial, lapushka!
And yeah, this style requires additional hair or Sissi level of insane thickness!

Kanekalon hair seems pretty good. I didn't know it's a brand name, is this the most popular type? Are there any LHC-recommended types of synthetic hair?
I really like the idea of using synthetic hair instead of experimenting with one's own or using real-hair wigs/extensions (who knows how exactly that real hair was obtained).

[cathair]

These are my hair extras :) Quite different to the video, but much more like your traditional paranda:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14017&d=1414263552

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14018&d=1414263554

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14019&d=1414263555

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14020&d=1414263557

Bonus picture of my awful french braid. I guess you can see why I didn't post them before :D I did this last xmas, I guess I might have improved a little since then :)

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14021&d=1414263559

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14022&d=1414263561

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14023&d=1414263562

It's been a while since my hair extension days, but if i recall correctly, Kanekalon is often used for dreadlocks, just because it's cheap and melts well. It tends to get a bit ratty and tangle easily. It's kind of disposable. I preferred monofibre, it's smoother and last's a little bit better, if you intend to wear it loose or brush it.

[allierat]

It's been a while since my hair extension days, but if i recall correctly, Kanekalon is often used for dreadlocks, just because it's cheap and melts well. It tends to get a bit ratty and tangle easily. It's kind of disposable. I preferred monofibre, it's smoother and last's a little bit better, if you intend to wear it loose or brush it.

That's spot on, kanekalon is useful for anything where it's not left loose but nicer things are better for being loose :) I always found it good for making hair "rats"/fillers too.

[meteor]

Thank you so much, cathair! Those hairstyles look amazing! :) So as long as it says "mono-fiber" it's good to be used as parandas? :) Are there any specific brands or synthetic hair technology that are better than others?

[lapushka]

cathair, that's so neat! :D

[cathair]

Thank you so much, cathair! Those hairstyles look amazing! :) So as long as it says "mono-fiber" it's good to be used as parandas? :) Are there any specific brands or synthetic hair technology that are better than others?

I don't know which country you are in meteor, but I used to use the monofibre from Afro Care, a UK supplier. I found the quality good enough and the prices reasonable. I think monofibre is pretty much monofibre really. Beware, this stuff gets everywhere, think shed hair x 100!

I liked mine colourful :D http://www.afrocare.com/catalog/Monobraid_Colors_251.html

You can get it in ordinary colours too: http://www.afrocare.com/catalog/Monobraid_Normal_251.html

I've also had professional Dome extensions that cost just under £400 nearly ten years ago (ouch! but they were *gorgeous*). They were also monofibre, it tends to be the best loose plastic hair. The main difference between their monofibre and the stuff you buy in packets was really the way the colours are blended, more than the texture. My extensions probably had twenty different colours blended to make a multidimensional blue.

If you want to work with it, it's very helpful to have a very heavy silicone spray. I think some people even use that silicone spray you put on tyres? It makes it easier to detangle and work with. You'll probably find that even separating a packet of hair into sections to use, it is very hard not to tangle.


cathair, that's so neat! :D

Thanks lapushka :) I think my skills leave a bit to be desired, but you can see the concept at least :)

[lapushka]

Thanks lapushka :) I think my skills leave a bit to be desired, but you can see the concept at least :)

Goodness no, I think your skills are pretty much on point! :flower:

[Catatafish]

That's a great idea for doing hairstyles you don't have enough length for. Now I want to get some purple ones.

[SwanFeathers]

Reviving this thread for sharing my kanekalon parandas. Will post new colors as I acquire them.
https://i.postimg.cc/QCPptbLq/20190102-085505-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/zHCL2TGL)
https://i.postimg.cc/Fz1yN66R/20190102-085845-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/wR8ykwg8)
https://i.postimg.cc/1tm0YXcD/20190102-085849-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/kVHt2nH5)

[ArabellaRose]

I'm looking at doing an order soon with some brights and something close to my natural colour (I want to extend my braid to TBL and add thickness). I've worked with Kanekalon loads through dread making so I'm keen to get started!

[Salzdrache]

Very cool :applause nice color :bluebiggr

My version from December 2018

https://abload.de/img/179_gib_spez_011218_15ldm6.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=179_gib_spez_011218_15ldm6.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/179_gib_spez_011218_2kmf5u.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=179_gib_spez_011218_2kmf5u.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/179_gib_spez_011218_4mkfxw.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=179_gib_spez_011218_4mkfxw.jpg)

[SwanFeathers]

Very cool :applause nice color :bluebiggr

My version from December 2018

https://abload.de/img/179_gib_spez_011218_15ldm6.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=179_gib_spez_011218_15ldm6.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/179_gib_spez_011218_2kmf5u.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=179_gib_spez_011218_2kmf5u.jpg)

https://abload.de/img/179_gib_spez_011218_4mkfxw.jpg (https://abload.de/image.php?img=179_gib_spez_011218_4mkfxw.jpg)
Argg! I knew I should have gone with the darker purple :) it looks amazing in your hair, it mingles well with your lovely silvers too.

[clandestine]

Beautiful ladies! I miss my crazy colored hair but this looks like a good idea to remedy that problem!

[SwanFeathers]

::IMPORTANT:: I am going to mention this really quick because I had a kind soul warn me and I want to pass it on. When you buy new kanekalon, it is strongly recommended to soak it in a vinegar rinse before useing. The reason for this is that the alkaline lye mix used on the hair to store it can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. But a vinegar soak and regular shampoo wash takes care of this for the majority. Just secure it with elastics before you wash so it doesn't tangle. There are YT videos on how to prep kanekalon for anyone who likes a step by step.

[almostghost]

Swanfeathers and Salzdrache, those look soooo good! :thud::inlove: I would love to try this some time.

[SwanFeathers]

Double post

[SwanFeathers]

Blended two shades together for a more 3D effect. Also shown: smoothness after blowdrying.
https://i.postimg.cc/SxFh5TD7/20190102-161519-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/svcqGcFv)
https://i.postimg.cc/dtTF5PmV/20190102-132810-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/GHr6pf5W)
https://i.postimg.cc/RFhHJZrR/20190102-175800.jpg (https://postimg.cc/HcGxfHkc)

https://i.postimg.cc/pdqjdnSr/20190102-181737.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jWn2gCtY)

[lithostoic]

Ooohhh so pretty!

[Hailwidis]

Wow, these look really cool! I'll have to look into kanekalon because I like how seamlessly they blend as a paranda (more so than wool).

[butterfly_dream]

WOW! I love parandas and these are so cool!
I should try kanekalon. :cool:

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Could I get really long lengths though, like 100 inches? It would really be fun to make a paranda out of this.

[SwanFeathers]

Could I get really long lengths though, like 100 inches? It would really be fun to make a paranda out of this.

The longest I have found off the peg so far is 85" inches but there may be a way to special order. There is also speacial yarn called yaba-yarn that is made to mimic hair, and you can cut that to any length you need.

[Sarahlabyrinth]

The longest I have found off the peg so far is 85" inches but there may be a way to special order. There is also speacial yarn called yaba-yarn that is made to mimic hair, and you can cut that to any length you need.

Thank you :D

[SwanFeathers]

My blue& green paranda
https://i.postimg.cc/fy3ztvHv/20190331-091950-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/gLWF13bw)

[hobbitlocks]

WOW!!!SwanFeathers-- where did you get the purple ones?? The blue and green look great too, but I'm partial to the purple :)

[SwanFeathers]

WOW!!!SwanFeathers-- where did you get the purple ones?? The blue and green look great too, but I'm partial to the purple :)

My local ethnic beauty supply store. I'm in there all the time hunting for cool wigs. its also a great place to buy those gentle panyhose hair ties at a great price (seriously I dont bother buying hair ties anywhere else.)

[desisparkles]

OMG, I am having the hardest time working with Kanekalon. All I can think of is "barbie" hair. I soaked it first and washed and conditioned. I didn't use silicon mix like you advised Swanfeathers - I'm silicone free and just don't want it rubbing off on my hair but geesh I can't even knot the paranda.

sooo... I found this thread and am going to try yaba yarn. i have no problem with the regular yarn paranda I made but for the life of me I can't get thee Kanekalon to work. Makes me have a whole lotta respect for you ladies who can.

[cathair]

OMG, I am having the hardest time working with Kanekalon. All I can think of is "barbie" hair. I soaked it first and washed and conditioned. I didn't use silicon mix like you advised Swanfeathers - I'm silicone free and just don't want it rubbing off on my hair but geesh I can't even knot the paranda.

sooo... I found this thread and am going to try yaba yarn. i have no problem with the regular yarn paranda I made but for the life of me I can't get thee Kanekalon to work. Makes me have a whole lotta respect for you ladies who can.

It's stretching my memory a bit it's been a very long time, but isn't Kanekalon primarily for making dreadlocks? You might want to look at monofibre synthetic hair instead. There are many types and qualities of synthetic hair, for different purposes.

[blackgothicdoll]

It's stretching my memory a bit it's been a very long time, but isn't Kanekalon primarily for making dreadlocks? You might want to look at monofibre synthetic hair instead. There are many types and qualities of synthetic hair, for different purposes.

Nope, it's mostly used for braided hairstyles, like individual braids or braided into the hair to make fuller braided styles. :)

[enting]

I'm familiar with Kanekalon from buying cosplay wigs. I had no idea it was a good idea to wash the fiber first! Probably because as a wig it doesn't really touch me much. It looks like a great fiber to add to hairstyles.

[gin]

OMG, I am having the hardest time working with Kanekalon. All I can think of is "barbie" hair. I soaked it first and washed and conditioned. I didn't use silicon mix like you advised Swanfeathers - I'm silicone free and just don't want it rubbing off on my hair but geesh I can't even knot the paranda.

I ran into this problem too! I managed to barely get a paranda together that I could try out, and I really liked how the Kanekalon blended with my hair and how easy it was to braid. But prepping/making the paranda with the Kanekalon hair was a nightmare, and knotting it was virtually impossible

SwanFeathers, Salzdrache et al. - how exactly did you make your parandas??? Any tips to share, especially the knotting part???

[AutobotsAttack]

To anyone still struggling, just Youtube literally any video about braids. Box braids, jumbo braids, cornrows, etc.

The way you tie the hair or secure it at the base is what’s gonna allow it to stay put. You can also do the knotless version. Just youtube knotless box braids, but apply the same method to one giant braid.

[SwanFeathers]

I actually don't knot these, I'm sorry I forgot to mention that. I just use clear elastics at the joining point in place of a knot.