Weave hair is a great option to protect your hair because it can allow your hair to grow and give it a break from heat damage and overloading it with products. Sew-in weaves allow you to have any length, texture and color that you want! If you’ve considered the option of a weave, you’ve probably heard all sorts of terms associated with the process! But don’t let all of this new terminology confuse you, Perfect Locks is here to help. Here is a short glossary that will ease the mind of any first-timer!
The Weave Glossary
Protective Style - A hairstyle that is worn to help promote growth and restore the health of natural hair.
Full Weave - Most, if not all, of the hair is braided up and the only hair that is out is the weave hair.
Partial Weave - A portion of your hair will be braided up and the remainder will be left out. Most people opt for this option when they’d like to add a little extra volume but want to achieve the most natural look.
Leave Out - A section of your natural hair that is left out and blended with the weave to create a natural part.
Cornrow - A tight braid that will protect your hair as well as provide a strong base to attach the hair to.
Weft - Hair that is sewn/fabricated as a continuous track of hair.
Machine Weft - This is the most common type of weft as it is easier and faster to make and simpler for all stylists to use, no matter their level of experience with weaves. Hand-tied wefts are pre-sealed to minimize shedding.
Hand-tied Weft - This weft is a slightly thinner than machine wefts, allowing the hair to lay closer to the head, giving it a virtually undetectable look. Hand-tied wefts are not sealed, it is recommended that they are to be sealed before installation to minimize shedding and retain thickness.
Track - The manufactured part of the weft that acts as the point of attachment.
Remy Hair - 100% human hair with the cuticle layer still intact. This hair may have gone through color/texture processing and therefore would not be considered virgin.
Virgin Hair - The hair is completely pure and natural. It has not been processed to change the natural texture or color at all. Fun fact: All of our virgin hair is also Remy, which means the cuticle is intact from root to end.
Single Sourced - This means that the hair comes from one singular donor, with natural gradations in length from root to end.
Double Sourced - This means that the hair comes from multiple donors. The hair is combined to create a weft of the same length throughout.
Closure - This piece is meant to mimic the scalp to create a realistic looking part/hairline. Closures are typically used for full weaves. We offer many different types of hair closures.
We hope this glossary helped you feel more prepared to protect your hair and made you more confident in your decision to get a weave! Share this blog post with the protective style lover in your life!
Full vs. Partial Weave: What's the Difference?
A common point of confusion for first-time weave wearers is the difference between a full weave and a partial weave - and which is right for their situation.
"Partial weaves are one of the most underused options in our extension lineup. You don't always need a full install to get the result you want. A partial weave targeting the back and crown gives most women exactly the volume and length they're after, with less cost, less installation time, and less hair to maintain."
- Priyanka Swamy, Founder of Perfect Locks
Full weave: All of your natural hair is braided flat (usually in cornrows) and covered with extension wefts. A closure or frontal piece covers the top of the head. No natural hair is left out. This gives maximum coverage and requires zero blending with your natural hair - which is ideal for protective styling or for women who want a completely different texture or color than their natural hair.
Partial weave: Natural hair is braided in the back and sides, with extension wefts sewn onto those braids. The top layer of your natural hair is left out to cover the tracks and blend with the extension hair. This is a great option for adding length and volume without a full install, and it works best when your leave-out texture is close to the extension texture.
Types of Weave Installation Methods
Sew-in weave: Extension wefts are sewn directly onto cornrowed natural hair with a needle and thread. No glue involved. This is the most popular installation method because it's secure, long-lasting (6-8 weeks), and doesn't require any adhesive on your natural hair. Our weft extensions are designed specifically for sew-in installation.
Glue-in weave: Extension wefts are bonded to natural hair or a foundation with hair bonding glue. Faster to install, but the glue can damage natural hair if not properly maintained and removed. Generally considered less safe than sew-in methods.
Net weave: A mesh net is placed over the cornrowed hair and wefts are sewn onto the net rather than directly onto braids. The net provides additional protection for natural hair and can reduce tension compared to direct sewing.
U-part weave: A wig-like piece with a U-shaped opening at the front that allows your natural hair to be left out along the top and front. This creates a very natural-looking hairline without a closure piece. The U-part weave clips or sews to your braided hair underneath.
Weave Terminology Glossary
If this is your first weave, the terminology can be confusing. Here's a quick reference:
Weft: The panel of hair itself - the hair sewn to a thread track. "Buying weave" means buying wefts.
Tracks: The rows of wefts sewn into your cornrowed hair. A full install typically uses 3-5 tracks.
Closure: A small hairpiece (usually 4x4 or 5x5 inches) placed at the crown or top of the head to close off the install and create a natural parting.
Frontal: A larger hairpiece that covers the entire front hairline from ear to ear, creating a completely natural-looking hairline. Gives more styling flexibility than a closure.
Leave-out: The natural hair left out of the install that is styled over the tracks. Seen in partial weave installs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a partial hair weave?
A partial weave installs extension wefts on the back and sides of the head while leaving the top layer of natural hair out. The natural hair covers the tracks and blends with the extension hair for a seamless look. A partial weave is ideal for adding length and volume without a full install, and it works best when your natural hair texture is compatible with the extension texture you choose.
How long does a weave last?
A properly installed sew-in weave lasts 6-8 weeks before needing to be removed or reinstalled. The extension hair itself can often be reused for 2-3 installs if properly cared for between uses. After 8 weeks, new hair growth creates increasing tension at the roots and the style should be taken down regardless of how it looks.
Is a weave the same as a sew-in?
A sew-in is a type of weave. "Weave" refers broadly to extension hair sewn onto braided natural hair, while "sew-in" describes the specific installation technique (using a needle and thread). All sew-ins are weaves, but not all weaves are sew-ins - glue-in and other adhesive installation methods also qualify as weaves.
How many bundles do I need for a weave?
For a full sew-in weave with a closure, most women need 2-4 bundles of weft hair depending on the desired fullness and hair length. Longer hair requires more weft to achieve the same density as shorter hair. Your stylist can give you a specific recommendation based on your head size, the desired look, and the length and texture you're choosing.
Does a weave help your hair grow?
Weaves support length retention by keeping your ends tucked away and reducing daily manipulation. Your hair grows at its natural rate regardless, but a properly maintained weave allows you to hold onto more of what you grow by protecting ends from breakage. Many women report significant length gains after periods of protective styling with weaves - the protection is doing the work, not the style itself.
Author and Founder of Perfect Locks LLC
Priyanka Swamy, the visionary founder of Perfect Locks LLC, is a passionate advocate for empowering women and promoting cultural diversity. With an unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing and quality craftsmanship, she redefined the hair extension market and created a supportive community that celebrates individuality.
Priyanka's dedication to sustainability and social responsibility continues to inspire positive change within the industry. Her journey with Perfect Locks remains an inspiration, unlocking the true potential and confidence of countless individuals worldwide.
