Creative hair braiding, unique styling, professional
atmosphere, and experienced artists all converge into one place: Santa Monica
Hair Salon. No matter the length, style, texture, or condition of your hair, we
are able to turn ordinary into extraordinary. So, come in and sit awhile; let
our stylist with more than thirty years of experience work with you.
Hair Braiding is an ancient art,
handed down from generations to generation in Africa. The origins of the art
form can be traced back to Egypt as far as 3500 BC. Each region of Africa has
its own traditional styles, and each tribe its distinctive aesthetics. In many
West African countries, hair braiding developed into complex patterns signaling
one’s social status, age group, and village affiliation. Certain elaborate hair
treatments were reserved for ceremonial occasions—weddings and other rites of
passage.
Hair
Facts
The composition of hair varies based on the hair type, one's age, sex, origin,
and hair color. Your hair grows from the scalp. It serves to protect the head
from injury, and the elements - the sun, cold weather, etc.
Types of Hair Braiding
Country plaits: worn
frequently by women, are smooth braids that lie against the scalp. Each section
of hair is braided by weaving the tresses one over another, gradually working
in more hair as the braid progresses. The result is sleek, as if the hair were
cut close to the scalp, but marked with subtle crisscross patterns.
Cornrows: a later stylistic development, are similar to country
plaits in that they, too, follow the shape of the head and lie flat against the
scalp. They differ slightly in the braiding process, however: here, the tresses
are woven under one another, resulting in a raised braid that follows the shape
of the head. Cornrows and country plaits can both be done in a variety of
widths, the thinner styles—which require more braids—being more time-consuming
than the thicker ones.
Single braids: in which the hair from a small section of the
scalp is braided out to the end (with or without the addition of extensions),
can also be done in a variety of widths. And, again, thinner braids—and
therefore more braids—require more time to create and, in the salon, are
consequently more expensive. Another recent innovation is a style in which the
lengths of hair are twisted rather than braided. The addition of synthetic
extensions helps to stabilize these styles and makes them last longer.
