Sponge size is important too – if you have short hair, go after a mini sponge. If you have long hair the best sponge for you will be one with a larger size. The hair sponge is available in several different versions. Although, regardless of the brand, it usually looks like a sponge that would be used for house cleaning, although it has holes in it. A barbershop favorite is the small or mini afro – a low-maintenance style that allows you to grow your hair out on top without the headache of managing a big afro. Plus, a regular trim can keep your hair healthy by cutting off split ends to allow new growth.

This low tapered afro with a line up is a perfect example of good styling. The all around taper afro is shaped evenly and naturally. The sideburns are slightly faded, and the full beard offers a stylish finish. Some hairstyles that would typically take hours are reduced to just minutes with help from the hair sponge.As is the case with most things, a drop fade won’t suit everyone. Certain hairstyles are better suited to certain face shapes, so the first thing to do is determine yours and decide if this style is going to be a good match. If you are a frequent user of a curling sponge and you are experiencing hair breakage, hair thinning, small knots on hair strands, frizzy or matted, we recommend: If you use the product on dry hair, you’ll increase the probability of causing hair damage, especially if you press down heavily on your hair. Hair sponges work by firmly but gently rubbing the sponge on your hair using a circular motion to create twists, curls, or coils.

We caught up with multi-award winning afro hair stylist and ghd Creative Artist Charlotte Mensah, to get her top tips: Are you going after a specific sponge brush hairstyle? Are you worried you might end up getting the wrong product for your type of hair? Different types of hair require keeping an eye on a few details, but it’s nothing too complicated, so don’t worry. Following the next few pointers, you’ll be able to find the best sponge brush for you in no time! What to Consider Before Buying a Sponge Brush If you don't wrap your hair before you go to bed, while you're asleep the pillow will absorb the moisture from your hair and come morning it will appear dry, leading you to apply more products and heat in an attempt to banish frizz." Then part it into small sections using your favorite curl cream or twisting product. Then gently stretch a small section of your hair and wrap it around your finger until it has coiled into a small twist.If you’re in a pinch or don’t have a curly hair sponge, the towel method is an effective substitute. Face cloths may be easier to maneuver around your head than a bath towel, but both work just fine. You will not grow or get a perfect afro overnight. Be patient and keep at it. Men’s hair generally grows at about 1/2 inch per month, so growing out a natural afro will take time and perseverance. One of the great things about a drop fade is that it can be used as a foundation for hundreds of different hairstyles. To save you trawling through all the combinations, we’ve pulled together a handful of failsafe, future-proof options that showcase this technical trim at its best. Crew Cut With Drop Fade Get regular trims. Even though it is less obvious than with straight hair. Afro hair needs to be trimmed regularly every 6 – 8 weeks. Apply a generous amount of lotion/curling moisturiser. Adding moisturiser to damp hair will help to counteract the drying effect curling sponges have on you hair as well as adding a protective layer to the hair shaft whilst enhancing the definition and shine of the curl/coil/twist produced.

Afro and mixed-race hair needs regular moisture to be added - especially during the colder months." Some people also use hair sponges to improve the appearance of your hair’s volume and that can be particularly helpful for most people who have very thin or fine hair. Pros and Cons The holes or ridges on the curling sponge gather sections of hair into coils, curls and twists when the sponge is rubbed on your hair in circular motions. Sponges with small holes or ridges work best on short hair, helping to create more defined curls. Sponges with large holes or ridges produce larger loose curls for long hair.To get an afro, you have to be prepared to grow your curly hair out. What this really comes down to is a healthy lifestyle and proper hair care for men. For example, you will need a good diet of quality proteins, regular exercise to increase blood circulation, stress relief in the form of sleep, and maybe a multivitamin to make sure you are getting all the right vitamins and minerals for hair growth. Now that we’ve covered how to use twist sponges, let’s take a few minutes to discuss the primary pros and cons when it comes to using a sponge to style your hair. Pros: Works on a number of different natural hair types, but it generally works best on type 3 and 4 hair types The hair shaft is protected by cuticles, which look like fish scales in appearance, under a microscope. Hair cuticles on afro hair types are naturally slightly raised because of the curl/coil, so rubbing the hair shaft whilst using a curling sponge will raise the hair cuticles even further, causing some of them to break, become fractured or jagged, also known as ‘weathered’. Once the hair cuticles is sufficiently ‘weathered’ the softer parts of the hair shaft are no longer protected, becoming vulnerable to damage and prone to thinning and breakage if the curling sponge is continuously used. Damaged cuticles result in hair breaking, the hair shaft losing its structure, becoming frizzy, matted or forming single or double knots along the hair shaft, known as Trichonodosis. Trichonodosis occurs when hair becomes scratched by the curling brush, causing the cuticles to become fractured and the consequential splintering of the hair shaft which then forms knots.

Solution:"Wrap hair in a silk scarf. This will help ensure the moisture is retained, so you're less likely to need to resort to heated appliances and extra product because your hair will already be beautifully hydrated." 2) Washing hair in hot water A classic crew cut is probably the most sensible haircut there is, but it can be led astray with the inclusion of a drop fade. This traditional military style has been the default ‘men’s haircut’ for the best part of a century but a bit of clipper sculpting is all that’s needed to bring it up to date. Cuddle at night. Take five minutes to pamper your hair before bedtime, this means moisturizing if necessary, securing the ends and covering at night with a silk scarf.

10. Take control of flyaways

Instead of using your fingers, the tip end of a rat tail comb can be used instead. Repeat the process until all of your hair is twisted.