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Curly Nikki

African Threading to Stretch Natural Hair

By September 8th, 202131 Comments

Nadine writes:

In your recent interview with Kimberly Elise, she mentioned my GirlsLoveYourCurls YouTube channel, which she credited with teaching her the African Threading technique she uses to stretch her hair. As a result, I got a lot of traffic, and messages, many of which were people saying they had never heard of this technique.

 

One of the goals of my videos is to introduce people to the technique of African Threading, which is a traditional styling technique used in many parts of Africa. It is especially useful for use on children’s hair as an alternative styling option, because it is quick to achieve and lasts for at least a week. My family originates from Ghana West Africa. My mother used it on my hair and taught me how to take care of my hair using this technique.

 

I have two young daughters and this technique is invaluable to me. I started making tutorials because I got so many requests from friends, wanting to learn how to take care of their daughter’s natural hair. My goal is to help offer mothers/caretakers of young girls as many tools as I can, so as to prevent them resorting to chemical processing, due to lack of options.

Here’s are a couple of tutorials:

African Threaded Bantu Buns

 

African Threaded Ponytail Plait

31 Comments

  • Anonymous says:

    Thanks for this posting on the web. I actually tried this technique on my daughter's hair and was suprised that it was really easy to do and loved the results. I haven't attempted taking them out yet. i'm hoping that will be just as easy.

  • drddoll says:

    Thank you for putting this on the web! Ive been chemical free after doing the big "chop" now for three years now and I was looking for new ways to wear my natural hair!

  • OloriOba says:

    Oh my goodness, brings back such good memories of my childhood in Nigeria. Infact, I have asked a friend of mine coming back from Nigeria to bring me back the glossy thread so I can use it to thread my hair. Woohoo, go Nadine! Beautiful mom and daughters!

  • Angela says:

    What a beautiful mother and daughter! Thanks for these great how-to's, Nadine.

  • Anonymous says:

    Seeing this video gave me goose bumps because the hair braiding techniques connect me to the motherland…being born in the U.S and no connection with my roots,the braiding is my connection. I can remember the bonding experience of mom doing my hair and it goes all the way back to Africa. Beautiful.

  • Anonymous says:

    I'm Nigerian and my hair was either threaded or braided to my scalp or in plaits as a child till I got a relaxer at age 9. My mom would rip through my hair while it was dry but I guess because my hair was in these protective styles 99% of the time it still flourished.

    I didn't hate them really because so many other girls my age sported them too. Ok I kind of hated them when they were getting put in because my mom would pull on my hair a bit hard. It does brings back nice memories of growing up in Nigeria.

    Mine never ever looked this cute though! Love it! Also mommy and daughter are BEEA-U-TIFUL!!

  • Trooper15 says:

    I'm Ghanaian, this was how my mum did my hair most of the time when I was in grade school. I wasn't too fond of the style back then but i loved how my hair looked before the plaits were joined, they looked so stretched out and i could see how long my hair had gotten since the last time… plus, it was a nice time to chat with my mum while she did it.

  • homeskillette says:

    ha! I'm half senegalese and i used to haaaaaate when my mother did these braids on me, but it also meant i'd get away with not having to do anything else to my hair for like 2 weeks. It's funny how things come full circle

  • Johnna aka jfrierson09 on YT says:

    These videos are great!!! My mom never did this to my hair, but I could definitely see trying this as well one day if I have a daughter. And I love your accent and humor! 😀 Subscribed!

  • classCie says:

    I LOVEEEEEDDD these videos! definitely subscribing and when i have a child some day, if its a girl, this method will definitely be used.

  • Anonymous says:

    Her videos are hilarious!!! http://www.youtube.com/user/GirlsLoveYourCurls please take time out to watch this video FUNNY but ohh so true!

  • Anonymous says:

    Video #2 is hilarious ! LOL

  • Anonymous says:

    My Mom is Congolese and used to that to our hair too!

  • Anonymous says:

    Absolutely brilliant from a fellow Londoner!:)

  • Anonymous says:

    Am from Kenya (now in Canada). My mom did this on me as a kid and she still does it to stretch her mid-back length hair. I will be doing this soon. Thanks for bringing back fond childhood memories 🙂

  • Laurie aka newlynatural26 says:

    It Haiti, it is normal as a young girl to plait your hair with thread(sewing). It's something my mother said they would do in the evening, to help the hair grow…i see now others do it too 😉

  • Anonymous says:

    Can I just say that I went to this YouTube channel and it's A-MAZING!

    Vids are super clear on how to flat-twist, detangle and condition 4b hair, etc. Check it out!!

    ~H

  • Anonymous says:

    I used it when i was a young girl. I am from Zimbabwean(Southern afria). I currently live in TX. I miss African Threading. My grandma did always do my hair and my sister's too. My aunt did always do my hair and my cousins…went on. ha!

  • mangomadness says:

    I'm Nigerian (born and raised in America).With that said, I remember my Grandma doing styles like this for me when I was younger. This beings back good memories! I will revisit the technique in the future.

  • Anonymous says:

    The first time i ever got these done was back in 2001 when i went to nigeria, i loved it since then although i had problem with tying ma head tie it made my head look funny lol, anyway a definate yessso for this style. =)

  • Anonymous says:

    I still use it but not as style but as a way to strentch my hair ^^. Although I wasn't raised in Africa (I'm from France) when I was a child my mum used to do it too but to strench hair before making braids with my own hair. Btw she still do it for her hair before going to bed(she's from RCA).

  • Naijaprincess says:

    LOL. The video was hilarious. Another African in the house! I'm Nigerian- grew up in Nigeria, and this style along with cornrows in different styles and patterns, was the go to style for my hair and lots of other girls my age. There were sections of the market that were dedicated specifically to hair, and the stylists would make some really intricate styles with this technique. Brings back memories!!!

  • Anonymous says:

    Am Kenyan and this has brought memorieees! My momma used to do this always. Thanks Nadine, (subscribed)

  • Dee W says:

    I love Nadine's videos. They are great, and she's hilarious.

  • Anonymous says:

    Love your videos & sense of humor!!

  • Levone says:

    I used to watch these and LOVED all of her videos. I'm definitley interested in the technique but took the lazy way out and just band my daughter's hair. I think it can be cute as a style as well from what I have seen. Thanks for sharing! I may get up the energy to attempt this soon.

  • vetty says:

    I'm also Ghanaian and my mom used to do this to my hair all the time when I was younger. I hated wearing it outside, lOl, but it's definitely something I am trying to get back in to.

  • Anonymous says:

    This is great, you made it look effortlessly, Nadine and loved your accent–your daughter is adorable!

  • Anonymous says:

    Love the tutorial. I'm gonna give it a try on my own hair this week. Looks promising for managing thick coil hair.

    Thanks for the info Nadine.

  • Kay says:

    I'm with you Thiaba. . From Ghana and did not like these much as a child! Enjoy your videos, Nadine.

  • Thiaba says:

    I'm Senegalese and when I was younger my mom used this method to style my hair. Gosh! I hated it, I thought it made me look childish, lol! But she knew better.

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