Want to recognize future braid trends? You need to know the hair fiber. The result of each braid style depends on the type of hair fiber. Some braid styles are currently best styled when using Toyokalon fibers while others are best styled when using PP fibers. In the past, styles such as Senegal twists and micro individual braids, which were one of the top braid trends, used Kanekalon fibers.
The worldwide braid trend has always been strongest in the United States, although the braid itself is a style from Africa, but the newer styles of braids are developed and popularized by African Americans in the United States. It then spreads to Africa and Europe, reaching different populations growing, and creating a cultural phenomenon. Even though the United States helps to developing the trend, Africa is the origin, which makes both countries important to watch.
X-pression, for instance was a product that became popular in Africa before making its way to the United States. X-pression was an innovative product at the time of its launch but the task of separating and layering the hair to get the desired style was tedious. Stylists had to prep for several hours before each customer even arrived in their chair.
With that, I & I released the Ez-braid, which cuts the prep work for styling in half. The hair-pulling work is pre-made, so even if you braid directly from the package you’ll get the thicker at the top thin at the ends look that once took so much time to acheive.
The natural movement that is on the rise has also spurred the popularity of Ez-braid. Consumers want the naturalness of braid hair, not a braid made with a synthetical hair. The Spetra-fibered hair used in the Ez-braid is has a natural shine like human hair and is not too rough. This fiber and hair are unlike any other fiber on the market.
The features of the Ez-braid are now well matched to the market, and are beloved, not only in the African market, but also in Europe and by all braid trend followers. US consumers have the same satisfaction with the fiber that African consumers have felt with the use of the Ez-braid’s Spetra fiber.
Three Rising Fibers in the market
Toyokalon
Toyokalon has all the advantages of PP fibers and Kanekalon fibers. First, the fiber does not have an unnatural shine; it has the same luster and feel of natural hair and is light in weight. Toyokalon has a strong flame-retardant source that can be a weak point of PP fiber. Among the hair available on the market, Toyokalon fiber seems to be the strongest fiber for resistance to heat. Due to its excellent fiber quality, it is also one of the most used fibers in many recent hair companies for use in braid products. For that reason, Toyokalon is also making a strong marketing effort to inform the US market of the quality of Toyokalon fibers.
Spetra
Spetra fiber is unique in that it can prevent many of the side effects that occur during braiding. It is very difficult to shampoo your hair when you’re wearing braids. You can shampoo, but it is impossible for your hair to dry completely, this becomes a problem when consumers usually wear their braids for at least one to four months. This means there are optimal conditions for bacteria and fungi to grow. Consumers are left with a dilemma; if they wash the damp hair may grow bacteria, if they don’t bacteria can still grow.
Dry shampoo can be a solution, but over time dry shampoo alone is not enough. The side effects that can occur when a bacteria grows and breeds are extremely serious. The most dangerous side effect is hair loss caused by fungi.
The team at Spetra has found a way to eliminate this problem. Their fiber is able to fight 98% of bacteria. Thus, the hair loss prevention function is achieved. Not only is hair loss mitigated, but the accompanying oder of bacterial growth is prevented as well. No more musty braids! These features combined with its natural look and feel have made Spetra one of the best selling lines in recent years.
Most recently, Spetra-Air was developed jointly with LG Chem and Spetra fiber, and has launched a 99.9% antibacterial fiber that has been patented in the United States and Korea. It is flame retardant and does not produce toxic substances in the event of catching fire.
Unolon
This company creates both Acryl fiber-based fiber and PP fiber. Unolon is obviously a fiber company that has the technical and long-lasting advantages of other fibers, though it does not have the characteristics or advantages inherent in Toyokalon or Spetra. In Unosa, a large-scale factory has opened in the mainland of Africa in Braide and produces a very large amount of PP fiber for the local market.
