Marley's hairstyle can be intimidating if you've never done it before, but while it can take some time, it's not that difficult. When you've chosen the correct connection, all you need to do is wrap it around your hair. If done properly, this hairstyle can last for several weeks.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing Your Hair
Step 1. Select the correct connection
Marley's hairstyles are made with a special type of hair extension that is packaged and sold under the name "Marley Hair." You will want the hair extensions labeled for this hairstyle as they usually have sections that are pre-measured, which can make the styling process easier and smoother.
- Custom products and other qualities depend on personal preference. Everyone has their own preferences, but if you want a recommendation, ask someone who has used this hairstyle before and ask for their opinion.
- Be aware that affordable hair extensions are usually made of synthetic hair, but most synthetic hair can be treated like you would your real hair, making it easy to care for. However, before you buy a hair extension, make sure you read the “care” instructions on the back of the package to make sure there are no oddities to watch out for.
Step 2. Soak and dry the hair joint
If the hair extensions irritate you at times or if you have never used them before and you have a sensitive scalp, you should consider soaking or bathing the hair extensions in a solution of water and apple cider vinegar.
- Mix half cup (125ml) of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups (500ml) of water. Soak the hair extensions in this solution for 1 or 2 minutes. Let dry before use.
- Soaking the hair joint in this way can remove the alkaline element. These bases are known to cause allergic reactions and have side effects such as producing bumps, irritation, and itching.
Step 3. Wash and dry your hair
Before you attach the hair extensions, you should shampoo your hair and cool it down with a strong conditioner. Make sure your hair is dry before you proceed.
Many women find that using a blow dryer will make their hair less frizzy than letting it dry, especially if you use a diffuser. However, do whatever is best for your hair. You want your hair to be completely dry, and a little less frizzy as much as possible
Step 4. Comb and straighten
Comb your hair using a wide-toothed comb. If necessary, straighten using a detangler to smooth out frizzy or tangled hair.
There is debate whether you should use hair oil at this stage. In general, the answer is “no.” Your hair should be straight but not slippery. Otherwise, the hair oil you use later in the process will keep your hair smooth from frizz over time
Part 2 of 3: Making Marley's Hairstyle
Step 1. Part your hair in sections
Divide your hair into 5 cm sections, starting at the nape of your neck and working your way up to the back of your head and to the sides and front of your hair.
- You can separate your hair in sections at the start of the process or you can separate them as you work. The choice is up to you, but if you are new to this and you want to make sure the sections of your hair are even in size, it will be easier for you to separate the sections from the start.
- Pinch each section using hairpins or other tongs.
Step 2. Apply hair oil in one section
Work each section one at a time, apply a dot of hair oil on your natural hair, smooth it safely.
- Hair oil can tighten your hair a bit. Using hair oil will prevent the extensions from getting tangled when they're done.
- Hair oil can also straighten your hair which can become frizzy again after you wash your hair.
- You can also use a little hair oil in the process of connecting the hair. Hair oil is only used in small amounts with the aim of smoothing the messy part.
Step 3. Bend a section of Marley's hair
Take a section of Marley's hair from the pack and bend it in half. Hold it between two fingers at this point so that it forms an upside-down U.
- Use this time to separate the strands in Marley's hair. Since Marley's hair comes in tightly joined sections, separating these sections is very important. All you need to do is pull on each section a few times until you see that the hair is starting to come loose or loosen from the bundle. The hair should stick together well to work on when it's done.
- You should also play with the two hanging ends of each section so that the hair becomes spiky instead of blunt.
Step 4. Place the curled hair on a section of your natural hair
Start with a section of hair at the back and bottom of your head. Place the center of your Marley curl over your natural hair, placing your natural hair in the middle.
At this point you should be holding three sections of your hair in your hands
Step 5. Braid in place
Braid these three sections together about 2.5cm. This braid will secure the connection in your hair.
After you've braided your hair, rearrange the loose ends so you have two sections instead of three. The easiest way to do this is to separate the center in half, dividing the same amount of the halves into the two sides
Step 6. Wrap the hair at the ends
Wrap the two loose ends around the two sections, wrapping them well enough to feel tight, but also slightly loose to prevent the hair from getting tangled.
Once you've removed the finished loop, it's possible for the hair to open a little and feel loose. This shouldn't be a problem. The coil is still thick enough to stay in place
Step 7. Trim the ends
Use scissors or a razor to shave past the size you want. Cover the ends by soaking them in boiling water.
Step 8. When trimming excess hair, use the sharp part of a razor and carefully trim the ends at a vertical angle
This will make it look natural. Don't cut your hair in a straight line like you're cutting a piece of paper.
- Bring water to a boil in a pot using the stove. Once the water boils, remove it from the stove and soak your hair. Do not immerse the ends of your hair in boiling water while the boiling water is still in the pot still on the stove.
- Dry the ends with a towel when you're done.
Step 9. Repeat if needed
Use the same sequence as above for the rest of your hair. Continue to wrap your hair in the Marley's braid until all of your hair is set.
- Just soak your hair in boiling water for a few seconds. Dry with a towel when finished.
- For added style, you can also curl the unwound ends using a curling iron, but doing so is optional.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping Marley's Hairstyle
Step 1. Wash your hair using a spray bottle
You can take care of your hair by sticking to your shampooing routine as long as you pay attention to the frequency. But to keep your curls intact, you should spray your scalp with a diluted shampoo using a spray bottle. Rinse with water also using a spray bottle.
- Fill 1/8th of the spray bottle with shampoo then fill the rest with water. Mix thoroughly before use.
- Your main concern should be on your scalp not your hair.
- It's much better to clean your hair with a spray bottle than it is to rinse your Marley-style hair in the shower. When wet, your hair will become very heavy. Your wet hair will also take about two days to dry.
- Clean your scalp in this way once a week. If you usually need to shampoo more often than this, try using a liquid shampoo once a week and using a dry shampoo in between.
Step 2. Use hair oil
At night, spray your scalp with water and then apply it with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Doing this will keep your scalp and hair from drying out too quickly.
- If your scalp is dry easily, you need to do this every night. If your hair and scalp are fairly normal, doing this two or three times a week will suffice.
- In addition to olive oil and coconut oil, peppermint oil and Jamaican Black Castor oil are also good choices.
Step 3. Use mousse or conditioner if needed
If your hair is curly, you can carefully apply a little mousse or conditioner to the ends. Do this “only when” needed.
Avoid using foaming conditioners as this can make your curls unsightly and unpleasant. Liquid conditioner is your best choice in choosing conditioner
Step 4. Protect your coils when you sleep
To make your hairstyle secure even at night, pull your loop back into a loose ponytail or into a bun and cover it with a silk scarf or satin fabric.
- You can give your coils additional security by wearing a satin head covering or by sleeping on a satin pillow.
- On average, well-groomed Marley style hair can last anywhere from two to four weeks. At this point, the loop will look too curly, uneven, or messy. You can repeat the loop at this point, and many report that repeating the loop takes less time than the first time. If you don't, you can untangle your hair and tie your hair, and change your hairstyle to something else.
