Tips for crimping hair by braiding it

[sew and sew]

Because my hair doesn't look good when I just straighten it (too wispy and flat), I like to go for the crimped look instead when I'm tired of wearing it curly. Not the super crimped look, but more like this.

The best result I get so far is by straightening my hair first, then dampening it piece by piece and applying some gel for hold as I braid the pieces. Yesterday I did this and wound up with 16 braids. I took them out earlier today.

It came out decently but the overall effect is frizzier than I'd like it to be.

I don't suspect many curlies even do this but just in case some of you do and have some tips, they'd be much appreciated!

[ninja dog]

I used to do it.

I would wash my hair, let it get almost dry (damp-ish), then braid all around my head. The ones by my face I made slightly tighter.

Then I'd sleep on it, take out the bands in the morning, and fluff it.

I'm not too prone to frizz (I'm just a 2), so this method worked fine for me. Although I find sleeping with anything at all in my hair ---- even pony bands --- annoys me.

HTH

[sew and sew]

Thanks for the input ninja dog. I have done it that way before, like a couple years ago. Think what made me go the route of straightening first (but then dampening while braiding) was that it makes it look less clumpy.

Don't think I used much holding and smoothing stuff when I did it that way though, so I'll probably do that and give it a try again.