You can select a set of colors to create an ombré effect. If you pick colors that are a similar hue but with different shades, you can fade from one to the other. You can also go from one hue to another that’s next to it on the color wheel, for example yellow to orange. [1] X Research source Other types of string, such as yarn, can work for hair wraps. Just make sure whatever material you’re working with is colorfast. You don’t want the dye to run the next time you shampoo your hair. It should also be fairly thin to keep your hair wrap from being too bulky.
Picking a strand closer to your face will have a bigger impact than one further back. If your hair doesn’t hold braids well, you can secure it with a small hair tie at the bottom. If you already have your hair in braids or dreadlocks, you can add a splash of color by selecting one or more strands to wrap individually.
Remember that it’s much better to start with too much thread than too little. You can always trim off the excess at the end, but you can’t add length to string that’s too short.
Make sure all four strings are parallel and bunched together so they can be treated as a single string. Loop the strings behind the top of the braid. Make sure that your braid is positioned in the center of the strings so that each end is equal. Take the right end and loop it back around the braid to the left. Start by crossing over the front of the braid and pull the end under and through the loop back towards the right. Pull both ends in opposite directions to tighten. Make sure your knot is very tight when making a hair wrap. [3] X Research source Once the knot is complete, each string you started with will be divided in half. Before starting your wrap in earnest, you’ll have twice as many strings to work with. For example, if you began with four strings, you should now have eight individual strands hanging from the base of your wrap.
One technique to ensure a tight wrap is to do four wraps around, push these wraps up, and repeat. [5] X Research source
When using two colors, you can make a striking pattern of alternating stripes. Try to make the stripes all one width for a well-crafted look. One very popular style of hair wrap is the ombré look, which is an effect where multiple similar colors are lined up to create a gradient from one color to another similar color. Examples would be light blue to dark blue, intense magenta to pale pink, and yellow to orange. If you’re making an ombré wrap, start with your first color and wrap about a quarter of your braid. Switch to the second color that most closely matches the first. Repeat with the last two colors, ending with the color that contrasts the most with your starting color. [6] X Research source
Pick a bead or some other small object that can be threaded onto a string, such as a charm. Keep in mind that your hair wrap is likely to get wet, so don’t choose anything made of metals that are easily corroded (rust or turn green). At any point while wrapping your hair, string the bead through your working strings. Push it up so it’s positioned at the bottom of your wrap. Simply continue wrapping once the bead is in place.
If you used a hair tie to hold the ends, you can slide the quill under the hair tie to hold it in place. [7] X Research source
Some people keep their wrapped lock of hair as a memento. If you don’t want to lose that strand of hair, you can try removing the hair wrap by cutting the knots at the end and unraveling it by hand. Keep in mind this will take much longer than a simple trim. The more tightly you wind your wrap, the longer it will stay looking great. The average amount of time it takes a wrap to start seeming shabby is three weeks. [8] X Research source If you avoid soaking it when washing your hair, your wrap will last longer. Use silk or satin to make a hair wrap if you want to sleep with it or leave it on till your hair is dry. Use a natural cotton towel or micro-fiber for drying quickly with a towel.