This post will discuss how to stretch hair with banding method. What is the banding method you ask? The banding method simply means to apply rubberbands (or bands for short) to the hair to stretch and elongate it for sleeker, straighter hair. This technique is excellent for natural hair and relaxed hair.
Banding has improved my air drying ability and I can now air dry with ease without bushy ends and dry hair. When I first started my healthy hair journey, my air drying efforts resulted in dryness and breakage. My ends were very coarse and bushy and lacked moisture. I was channeling Lion King every wash day! That is, until I came across the banding method.
The banding method is quick, simple and works every single time. As previously mentioned, it’s not a method just for naturals. My relaxed hair loves it. It leaves my hair moisturized and sleek. Having the hairs banded together allow them to soak up the moisture from the surrounding strands leaving it soft and moisturized.
— Drawback to Banding Method —
The one drawback to banding that I have experienced is drying time. I typically band the hair and leave it be for the rest of the night. By morning, the roots remain a tad bit damp. The plus side is the hair remains sleek and moisturized as it continues drying.
Note: When pressed for time, I will curly tee dry for about 15 minutes, apply my leave ins and then band from partially dry hair. This definitely speeds up drying time and results are just as great. Either method – banding from sopping wet or partially dry – leaves my hair awesomely moisturized.
— Benefits of Banding Method —
Sleek, smooth & tame hair.
EnExitStageLeft says
September 1, 2013 at 6:36 pmI definitely agree. The banding method is AWESOMESAUCE!
divachyk says
September 1, 2013 at 11:58 pmAWESOMESAUCE is right!!! 🙂
Andrea says
September 1, 2013 at 9:03 pmThanks for sharing this tutorial! How long does it usually take your hair to completely dry with this method?
divachyk says
September 2, 2013 at 12:16 amHi Andrea – from sopping wet, yikes, like all night. It takes a good 8-10 hours. From partially dry (70-80% dry), about 3 to 4 hours. @EnExitStageLeft made the observation the wetter the hair, the sleeker the air dry. I agree wholeheartedly. However, I still get decent results when starting from partially dry.
Anonymous says
September 2, 2013 at 9:00 pmSeriously, thank you for this tutorial! Do you always make a pony tail or do you use smaller sections too? Also you seem so sweet! 🙂
divachyk says
September 2, 2013 at 10:19 pmHey there! Thank you for the kind words. I honestly try my best to be a good person because I’m too blessed not to be. You’re very welcome for the tutorial. I hope it helped. I always make one pony and place bands down the length of the pony. Pin it up and scarf my hair. I’m sure you could change it up and band with different methods. When you mention sections – are you thinking of doing 2 ponies vs. 1 pony OR make 1 pony at the nape and then divide that up in two smaller ponies for the banding. Let’s brainstorm this. 🙂 I’m always up for new & improved ways.
queenbee9 says
February 22, 2015 at 9:09 pmLOL. You are soooo gorgeous. Is the banding also to get the “beachwave” effect? I actually like the little “style” with the duck bill clip to secure your pony–I thought it looked cute–I am imagining that look with colorful bands to match and outfit, and maybe a few tendrils hanging down… I am a fan of hair pinned up–it takes the weight off and you looked cute with that, even if it was only your going to be look!
Jay (Divachyk) of RT says
February 22, 2015 at 11:22 pmOh my gosh, thank you! The banding can definitely give the beach wave effect. I was only using it to make the hair sleek. I love having my hair pinned up because I have acne prone skin.