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HowTo Refresher For 360 Waves

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    Posted: February 21 2011 at 5:59pm
What Is 360 Waves?

It's a short haircut considered to be the classic hairstyle worn by African American men for many generations.

Over the years its been discovered that constantly brushing short hair cuts resulted in attractive wave patterns around the hair called Waves or in some camps Brush Waves.

Pomades and similar products were used to further develop this waved style.  To help set the style a nylon head scarf called a DuRag or Doo-Rag was created to help hold and mold the style.

As the hairstyle become very popular it eventually became know  as 360 Waves since the goal was to develop waves which made a full 360 circle around the head.

When hair very short and brushed on a very regular basis a natural looking pattern of waves can form around the perimeter of the head in a 360 degree angle. Which is why they are called 360 Waves.

Although many have tried, some have not been able to ever achieve full 360 waves or only have been able to achieve partial waves.  Why?

Very Important Note

Some can easily create the 360 Waves BECAUSE of the type of hair they were born with.  It is a well-known fact that people with softer or less nappy hair have an easier time creating the 360 waves then those without mixed blood or with traditional hard or nappy hair.

This is VERY IMPORTANT.  Some people get very discouraged because they have problems with waves when their hair is not the best for waves.

Does this mean you can't get waves?  No.  It means you need to use different tricks to create the waves than those who have mixed blood or have soft non-nappy hair which forms waves easier.

Basic Technique For Creating 360 Waves
 
Listed below is the basic technique for creating 360 Waves which works for many...not all...but for many.
 
You will need:

1.  Du-Rag, Doo-Rag, stocking cap or similar.  You can make your own if you prefer.
2.  Firm bristle, hoarse hair brush
3.  Pomade or similar hair product.  Many people favor Murray's which makes it the most popular brand. Others prefer other products.  Lots of folks recommend Nu Nile because it is not as thick and doesn't build flakes.
4.  Clean towel
5.  Hot water

Best Hair Length For Starting 360 Waves

Your hair should be at least 1 ½ to 2 inches in length to be able to achieve the 360 wave style.  If hair is too short the waves can not form.  If the hair is too long the waves will also not form.  Ideally hair should be 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length.
 
Step #1
Start with clean dry hair. If you shampoo before you start make sure hair is completely dry.  If you do shampoo, use a shampoo which is best for your hair type and condition.  Make sure hair is NOT too soft or too coarse.  If your hair tends to be very dry you may wish to use a conditioning shampoo.
 
Step #2
Apply a good glob of pomade or similar throughout the hair.  As a rule of thumb it should be equal to approximately 2 quarters.  Use the pomade or gel or hair cream that you prefer.  You can't have too much so use enough to really saturate the entire head.

Step #3
Take a pre-heated damp towel and wrap towel on the hair for 2-4 minutes. Apply pressure to the towel allowing the pomade to melt into the hair. Remove towel.

Note:  Make sure the towel is not too hot so that it burns the hands or scalp.  Wring it out a bit and be prepared for the towel to drip a bit.  You may want to do this step near the sink.

Step #4
Brush hair starting at the crown area which is near the back of the head. Brush evenly in the direction that the hair grows.  Brush all the way around the head in even strokes.
 
Step #5
Positioned a du-rag, doo-rag, stocking cap or similar over your head.  This will hold the newly brushed hair in place.  Although you can go out with your cap, it is best to do this process before you go to bed to allow the cap and the pomade to set well while you are sleeping.

Step #6
Repeat this process at least once a day or more if you have time.  The more you brush the better.

Important Note:

Brushing the hair evenly is an important key.  Some wavers report they can only have waves in the crown or along the sides.  Why?  Because the brushing was not done evenly. Areas that are not brushed well will not wave.   It's simple.

Step #7

When you remove your cap or du-rag do NOT brush your hair or it will disturb the newly formed waves.

Do Not Shampoo For 1-2 Weeks

After the 1st shampoo DO NOT wash your hair for at least 1-2 weeks.  Every day you should reapply pomade and brush.  However you will be letting the pomade build up on the hair and will NOT be washing the pomade out of your head.  This is very important.

Many people make the mistake of shampooing their hair before enough time has passed to allow the waves to form.

Once hair gets wet the wave pattern you have brushed so hard will instantly loosen.  The longer you can go without washing your hair, the better.  This includes standing in a shower without shampooing.

Wait 2-4 Weeks To Get Haircut While Training Waves


While you should wait 1-2 or longer to shampoo, wait 2-4 weeks before getting a haircut so that the waves can grow into formation.  Once you get a haircut ask the barber to use a  1 ½ guard - with the grain.
 
After the hair cut repeat the wave steps process. Keep wearing the Doo-Rag. You should be good on the 360 waves from this point.
 
Different Hair Textures And Waving Ease


Naturally Curly Hair
- This tends to be softer hair and may or may not be mixed.  If this is your hair texture you will mostly likely have an easy time creating waves using the steps above.
 
Medium Hair Texture - If your hair tends to lay naturally with no extra efforts you should also be able to create 360 waves without much trouble as long as you brush and follow the steps religiously.
 
Very Coarse Hair - This hair tends to be nappy, heavy, tightly curled, thick or similar - This type of hair may have the hardest time achieving natural waves.

Although you may hear that coarse hair can not be trained into waves, this is NOT true.  However, you will need to texturize the hair to soften it before it will form into wave.  There is no shame in using a kit or a texturizer.  If you were born with this hair type you will benefit by using something like Sportin Waves or Rusk Relaxer #2 or #3.

A barber or hairstylist can do this for you or you can do it at home.  Be sure to follow the kit set-up instructions carefully. Leave texturizer in for just a few minutes.  No more than 5-8 minutes. Neutralize and allow the hair to dry. You can use a hair dryer or just air dry.

Once hair is 100% dry you can start with Step #2 which involves applying a pomade to the entire head.


Edited by WaveKingSup - February 21 2011 at 6:00pm
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