protecting braid ends?

[09robiha]

I am really loving a french braid right now, its easy to do on my damp hair at 7 in the morning and pulls back those pesky growing out layers.
Bu i am concerned about the ends, i put a little extra oil on them and for some reason i just cant get them to tuck under.
Is there anything elses i can do to protect the ends?

[spidermom]

Here's an idea you might like. You will need:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/tools.jpg
1) Braid all the way to the ends of your hair as best you can.
2) Take about a 1.5-2 inch long strip of ribbon, wet it, wrap it around the end of your braid.
3) Put poly-band or rubber-band over ribbon.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/agedbraid.jpg

This method gives pretty braid waves that continue all the way to the ends instead of having a creased place, with no braid waves past it.

[Calaelen]

To protect my ends, I often fold my ends up, and weave them right into my braid. My hair is hip length, and I weave about 3-6 inches up into it, it works well for me. It looks kind of neat as well, you end up with no ends, because the weave blends right in with the braid. I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for, but hope it helps! (I hope I described it in a way that is easy to understand..)

[frizzalot]

you could try braiding a ribbon into the ends and tie it in a bow there or roll it up.

[IcarusBride]

Not really helpful, but I wear my hair in a 3-strand braid every night for bed, and I make sure to end it at different lengths every day to avoid continuously pinching the same place with the elastic every day and causing damage.

[ibleedlipstick]

Here's an idea you might like. You will need:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/tools.jpg
1) Braid all the way to the ends of your hair as best you can.
2) Take about a 1.5-2 inch long strip of ribbon, wet it, wrap it around the end of your braid.
3) Put poly-band or rubber-band over ribbon.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/agedbraid.jpg

This method gives pretty braid waves that continue all the way to the ends instead of having a creased place, with no braid waves past it.
That is so pretty! I had never thought of doing that. I have some really pretty ribbons I could use too...

[Theobroma]

What a great idea! I have plenty of ribbons in different colours lying around, so I'm definitely going to try this!

[Arctic]

To protect my ends, I often fold my ends up, and weave them right into my braid. My hair is hip length, and I weave about 3-6 inches up into it, it works well for me. It looks kind of neat as well, you end up with no ends, because the weave blends right in with the braid. I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for, but hope it helps! (I hope I described it in a way that is easy to understand..)

I have heared of this method before, but I just can't picture how it's actually done. Do you know a good picture tutorial or do you have pictures of your own? I'd love to learn this technique!

[Calaelen]

I have heared of this method before, but I just can't picture how it's actually done. Do you know a good picture tutorial or do you have pictures of your own? I'd love to learn this technique!
Hmm, I've never seen pics of it. I can try to do a photo tutorial soon, but have no idea how to upload pics here, especially into a thread.
Basically what you do is braid as far down as you'd like then grab all of your ends, fold them up and pick a spot in the braid weave to stick the ends through, then you just weave up through your braid holes. The ends blend right into the braid and you can barely see them.
If someone wants to explain how to upload photos into a thread I will try to do the tutorial within the week.

[jackiesjottings]

Here's an idea you might like. You will need:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/tools.jpg
1) Braid all the way to the ends of your hair as best you can.
2) Take about a 1.5-2 inch long strip of ribbon, wet it, wrap it around the end of your braid.
3) Put poly-band or rubber-band over ribbon.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/agedbraid.jpg

This method gives pretty braid waves that continue all the way to the ends instead of having a creased place, with no braid waves past it.

Thank you SO much for this tip. I fasten the ends of my braids by braiding ribbon into but had never thought of trying this. I am going to give it a go.

[Amelia]

@spidermom

I knew the huge box i bought off ebay with sewing stuff would come handy.
This is a very good idea and i'll try it tonight!
Thanks!!

[Heavenly Locks]

Can someone explain (or link to a tutorial) about how exactly to add ribbon to a braid?? I've never been able to figure out how it is done...

:)

[frizzalot]

Heavenly Locks,

For a three strand braid, you hold the ribbon in the middle of the length and add each side of the ribbon to the two outer strands of the braid and then braid as normal.

ETA: I just added some photos to my album (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5447) in case you're interested in seeing how to do it

[Peter]

To protect my ends, I often fold my ends up, and weave them right into my braid. My hair is hip length, and I weave about 3-6 inches up into it, it works well for me. It looks kind of neat as well, you end up with no ends, because the weave blends right in with the braid. I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for, but hope it helps! (I hope I described it in a way that is easy to understand..)
This sounds very interesting, but I don't really understand how the ends are woven into the braid. Do you stick the ends in between two of the strands?

[Heavenly Locks]

Heavenly Locks,

For a three strand braid, you hold the ribbon in the middle of the length and add each side of the ribbon to the two outer strands of the braid and then braid as normal.

ETA: I just added some photos to my album (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5447) in case you're interested in seeing how to do it

*smacks forehead*

It's THAT easy!? I feel dim... :p

I really thought there was some sort of magical aspect to it, or some sort of secret something that nobody had told me. Wow. In my mind I'd been trying to just add one free end of the ribbon to the 3 hair strands and was just befuddled.

Thank you! :flower:

[petcrazy18]

Great idea! I wear my hair in pigtails all the time (I'm infamous for them XD) so this trick will definitely come in handy. I suppose wetting them, then going over the ends in coconut oil, and putting a layer of raw shea butter over top will help with that added layer of protection so no small splits occur like what I've gotten lately

[pixldust]

Here's an idea you might like. You will need:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/tools.jpg
1) Braid all the way to the ends of your hair as best you can.
2) Take about a 1.5-2 inch long strip of ribbon, wet it, wrap it around the end of your braid.
3) Put poly-band or rubber-band over ribbon.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/agedbraid.jpg

This method gives pretty braid waves that continue all the way to the ends instead of having a creased place, with no braid waves past it.

That's an awesome idea! Just curious, does the ribbon need to be the wide sort, like the depth of the tassel (if that makes sense) or could you get narrower stuff and wrap it round and round? Or does it not really matter? I realise that probably sounds like a really dim question :D

[Tinyponies]

Been wondering how to protect braid ends... weaving in ends sounds great and will try ribbon wraps for sure. I keep imagining something like the vet wrap that we use to cover animals bandages. Something that would have a small amount of grip. I suppose leather would be an option were I not allergic/veganish. Anyone got any more ideas?