10 Reasons I Hate Quick Weaves That You Can Probably Relate To

A quick weave involves bonding human hair extensions to your natural hair using a protective cap, or applying a special liquid-gel formula that hardens and acts as a barrier between the hair glue and your natural hair.

Looking back, before I discovered the many beautiful alternatives in the world of hair extensions (and before I could actually afford them), I was a frequent quick-weaver. I appreciated the convenience of quick weaves – they were fast, affordable, and gave me a style in no time. Plus, the cost was typically around $100, which made it an attractive option.

But after spending several years experimenting with hair extensions, I’ve come to dislike the whole concept of quick weaves. Here are ten reasons, in a very particular order, why I’ve grown to steer clear of them:

#10 The Hair Used for Quick Weaves

Quick weaves typically use processed hair, not the high-quality virgin or Remy hair bundles you might expect.

Virgin hair is untouched, collected from a single source, and remains in its natural state. Remy hair is close to virgin hair, treated to ensure the cuticles lie flat and in the same direction for a smoother look.

On the other hand, beauty store hair, often referred to as “pack hair” or “tracks,” is highly processed. This type of hair has been treated with silicone and the cuticles are stripped, resulting in a less natural feel. It’s also usually bleached and treated with harsh chemicals, sometimes even mixed with synthetic fibers like nylon or animal hair.

Let me be clear: there’s nothing inherently wrong with pack hair. It can still serve its purpose, but there are a few drawbacks that made me hesitant to use it long-term.

For one, pack hair tends to get stiff quickly. After just a week or two of wear, it loses its softness and flow, and I found myself frustrated when my neck would move but my weave remained stiff. It’s a huge insecurity for me when my hair doesn’t move as naturally as it should. I’ve adopted the motto, “If the weave doesn’t flow, it must go.”

Another issue I encountered was the lingering smell. After styling with heat, such as flat ironing, the hair often carried a burnt or metallic odor. This is something I’ve only experienced with processed hair. When working with virgin hair, I rarely noticed this issue unless I was using excessively high heat for prolonged periods.

All in all, while pack hair can look great initially, the stiffness, unpleasant smell, and heavy processing make it less desirable for long-term use.

#9 The Quick Weave Installation Process

Finding the right stylist is crucial for a successful quick weave installation!

One of the biggest challenges I faced with quick weaves was struggling to find a stylist who truly knew how to execute the style properly. It’s a bit like the ongoing lace frontal craze—many people claim they know how to do it, making it seem easy and assuring you that everything will turn out fine.

I remember once finding a stylist who charged $65 for a quick weave. After browsing her Facebook page and reading some decent reviews, I decided to take a chance. Unfortunately, the result was far from what I expected. The tracks were glued in sloppily, the stylist used too much lace frontal glue, and the overall style was not as flat as I had hoped.

Many people believe that because a quick weave is “just glue and tracks,” it doesn’t require much effort or skill, but that’s far from the truth. A stylist should always take pride in their work, no matter the style.

Quick Weave Installation Process

The process of installing a quick weave was never one of my favorites. The bonding glue is cold when applied, and the style requires excessive heat and a number of different products.

First, your natural hair is either molded down with gel or braided into two braids and then gelled on the sides to create a base. Some stylists may also apply a protective product to help maintain the health of your hair and make removal easier later on. This might be a heat protector spray or glue skin prep to avoid irritation.

Once the mold is set, the stylist may either sit you under a dryer or use a blow dryer to help harden it. After the mold has set, a cap is applied, and then the tracks are glued to the cap. To ensure that the tracks stay in place, the stylist will blow-dry them after each addition, and the process repeats for each track applied.

#8 Hair Itching

My scalp is naturally sensitive, and it doesn’t take much for it to become irritated—especially when glue and other adhesives are involved. This makes quick weaves a real struggle for me.

When I have a quick weave installed, I always experience increased itching and sweating around my scalp. The root cause of this irritation seems to be the combination of gel, adhesive, and dirt that builds up on the scalp over time. The products used to secure the tracks can clog pores and prevent the scalp from breathing properly. The accumulation of product residue and sweat creates the perfect environment for itching, leading to constant discomfort.

In addition to the physical discomfort, the itching becomes more noticeable when the glue starts to wear off or if I haven’t had the weave removed in a while. This can make my scalp feel sore and tight, and no amount of scratching seems to provide relief. For me, this is one of the most annoying aspects of quick weaves.

As much as I appreciate how convenient and affordable quick weaves can be, the irritation they cause makes me avoid them now. The constant itching and discomfort are simply not worth it in the long run.

#7 Limited Access to Your Natural Hair

One of the major downsides of the quick weave method is the limited access it provides to your natural hair. While areas like your nape, edges, and any leave-out sections may remain accessible, the rest of your hair is sealed under layers of gel, glue, and protective caps, making it difficult to tend to your hair as you normally would.

For example, washing your hair becomes a challenge with a molded style. The gel and glue that hold the weave in place prevent you from fully wetting your natural hair, as this can disturb the style or cause the tracks to loosen. This also means you cannot easily rinse away the oils, sweat, or buildup that naturally accumulates on your scalp.

Another issue is the inability to comfortably scratch your scalp. If you feel an itch, scratching it could disrupt your tracks or even break the protective cap, which can negatively affect the longevity of your style. As a result, you’re forced to endure discomfort without being able to address it without risking damage to your hairstyle.

In addition, you’re unable to access your natural hair to apply moisture, treatments, or other care products. This lack of accessibility can lead to scalp dryness or buildup, ultimately affecting both the health of your hair and the overall appearance of your quick weave.

#6 Short Lifespan

Quick weaves are designed to be temporary styles, which means they don’t last as long as other hair extension methods. While they are quick to install and remove, this convenience comes at the cost of longevity. Typically, a quick weave can last about four weeks with proper care, but any longer than that, and you risk your style looking messy and unkempt. The bonds that hold the tracks in place can weaken over time, leading to discomfort and even damage to your natural hair.

As the glue begins to loosen and the style starts to shift, you may also experience itching and irritation due to the product buildup on your scalp. This discomfort is a common issue with quick weaves, making it necessary to remove the style sooner rather than later to avoid further irritation or stress on your hair. One of the most significant disadvantages of quick weaves is that the hair used for the style is typically not reusable.

The glue, gel, and other products used in the installation process can cause damage to the hair, making it impossible to reinstall. Unlike other types of extensions that can be reused, quick weaves require you to start from scratch each time you want to change your look. This means that, in the end, you’ll have to discard the hair after removing the weave, which can be frustrating and costly if you frequently wear quick weaves.

In summary, while quick weaves may offer a fast and affordable style, their short lifespan and inability to be reused make them less practical for long-term wear. Without proper maintenance or the option for reuse, quick weaves often fall short when it comes to longevity.

#5 The Smell

I wish I could claim that my hair always smells like fresh Cantu and strawberries, but unfortunately, I have to be honest about the reality of quick weaves.

One issue that I always encountered with quick weaves was the smell. Unlike natural hairstyles or sew-ins, quick weaves tend to trap a lot of buildup underneath the stretchy black caps. My experience with this method has shown that my hair would often develop a distinct odor that I couldn’t shake off. The combination of several factors contributed to this unpleasant smell.

The natural oils from my scalp, mixed with the adhesive used for bonding the tracks, creates a lingering odor that is hard to ignore. On top of that, the inability to properly wash the hair while it’s in place makes matters worse. Product buildup, dirt, and sweat all contribute to the funky smell that develops over time. Unlike with other hairstyles where you can wash your hair regularly, quick weaves limit your ability to clean your scalp properly, leading to an accumulation of oils and impurities.

This lack of ventilation and washing leads to a smell that is hard to mask, no matter how much you try to freshen it up with sprays or dry shampoo. After a few days, the combination of glue, oils, and product creates an odd, musty scent that can make you self-conscious, especially when you can’t wash your hair as you would with other styles.

In short, the smell is one of the biggest downsides to quick weaves, and it’s a reminder of why I started to dislike this method. The inability to properly care for your scalp while the weave is in place leaves you with a less-than-pleasant odor that sticks around longer than you’d like.

#4 Lack of Versatility

One of the major drawbacks of quick weaves is their lack of versatility.

While leaving out edges and the nape of your hair can create a more natural look, quick weaves still have limitations when it comes to style flexibility. The bonding process, where the wefts are glued to the hair, makes it difficult to manipulate the style in different ways. Unlike sew-ins or other extensions, the glue used for quick weaves limits your ability to easily switch up your look or experiment with new styles.

For instance, creating a ponytail or braids is not ideal with a quick weave because the glued wefts are fixed in place. This makes it challenging to create different hairstyles that require the freedom to move or rearrange the hair. While you can try to adjust your style slightly, the glue and the way the hair is attached prevent you from easily transitioning between looks.

However, if you’re someone who loves variety in their hairstyles, this can be a major inconvenience. If you enjoy quickly switching from a sleek look to curly or playful styles, a quick weave might not be for you. The process of gluing the tracks in place makes it impossible to effortlessly change your style on a whim.

Of course, you can always turn to adjustable cuff human hair ponytail extensions as a solution for a quick style change. But for those who prefer a more dynamic and versatile extension method, quick weaves just don’t provide the freedom to experiment with different looks. This lack of versatility is definitely something to consider if you love to mix up your hairstyle regularly.

#3 The Takedown

Removing a bonded weave is one of the most tedious and frustrating tasks in the world of hair care!

Even with the variety of glue removal shampoos and products available on the market, getting that hair cap off can still be a real challenge. As I’ll mention in the next point, the glue often ends up on your natural hair, making the cap stick even more stubbornly.

The takedown process involves several steps, each of which can feel repetitive and time-consuming. First, you have to carefully remove the tracks from the cap. Then, you’ll have to remove the cap itself, which can be tricky due to the glue sticking to both your hair and the cap. After that, the real work begins: you’ll need to free your hair from any remaining glue and go through the usual wash and conditioning steps.

Unfortunately, with quick weaves, these steps can feel like they’re repeated far too much. Products like Safe Lace Paste Remover or oils can help ease the removal process, but they come with their own set of challenges. Adding more products to your hair to aid in takedown means you’re just layering more products on top, which can make the cleanup even more complicated.

Furthermore, glue removal shampoos are specifically formulated to break down the glue residue, but they don’t do much to hydrate or nourish your hair. So after using these products, you’re still left with the task of washing and conditioning your hair properly to restore its health.

In essence, the takedown process is not just about removing the weave—it’s a lengthy routine that adds more steps to your regular hair care regimen without necessarily benefiting the health of your hair.

#2 The Quick Weave Cap

While the quick weave cap might seem like a minor issue at first glance, it’s definitely one of the more annoying aspects of this installation method, which is why it ranks second on my list. The main problem with the cap is that it essentially blocks access to your scalp, which can be frustrating, especially for someone who likes to keep their scalp well-maintained.

A quick weave cap is typically applied after the hair is molded to create a barrier between the track glue and your natural hair. The idea is that this cap will prevent the glue from directly touching your natural strands, protecting your hair from damage. However, the cap is often too thin to fully block all the glue.

As a result, it’s not uncommon for some glue to seep through and stick to the hair beneath the cap. This is a huge inconvenience because it can lead to the cap sticking to your hair, which makes it harder to remove and can even damage your natural strands when it’s time to take down the style.

Moreover, in certain cases, the cap can become visible through the installed hair, particularly with more sheer or lighter-colored wefts. This affects the overall aesthetic of the style, as the cap can create an unnatural appearance, which is far from ideal when you’re trying to achieve a flawless look.

But the cap’s ability to stick to your hair is where the real frustration begins. When you’re ready to remove your quick weave, the cap is often stuck to your natural hair, making the removal process more challenging and time-consuming. Not only does this make the takedown more difficult, but it also increases the chances of damage to your natural hair if you’re not careful during the removal process.

While it’s not the most glaring issue with quick weaves, the weave cap is definitely something to consider before opting for this style. And, as I’ll explain next, it leads to even bigger problems down the line. Drum roll, please…

#1 The Quick Weave Glue

When it comes to quick weaves, nothing frustrates me more than the glue. It tops my list of complaints about this style, and for good reason. The adhesive used in quick weaves leaves a sticky residue on your hair, which can be incredibly stubborn to remove—even after thorough washing and conditioning.

One of the biggest issues with the glue is that it’s not easy to fully cleanse from your hair without risking damage. The residue tends to linger, and getting rid of it often involves harsh methods that can put unnecessary stress on your hair and scalp. Personally, I much prefer the cleaner method of sew-ins, where you can simply cut the thread to remove the extensions, rather than having to use glue removers and endure multiple washes just to get rid of the sticky mess left behind.

Another major downside of the glue is that it’s simply not as durable as other extension methods. If you’re someone who works out regularly, you’ll likely find that your tracks begin to slip as sweat loosens the glue. As your natural hair grows, the glue also loses its hold, causing the extensions to shift. And if your hair gets wet? Forget about it—the glue will lose its grip, and your carefully styled quick weave will be ruined. At that point, you’re left with no choice but to grab your remover and a comb to take everything out.

I’ll admit, I might have a bias against hair glue, mostly because I’m more partial to the convenience of a wig that can be taken on and off without the mess and stress of glue. But when it comes to the longevity and reliability of a hairstyle, the glue just doesn’t cut it for me.

Final Thoughts

Quick weaves, glue-ins, or bonded weaves can offer a fast and affordable way to change up your look with extensions. This method is especially useful when you want to try something new or switch styles quickly.

However, it’s important to remember that maintaining healthy hair should always take precedence over achieving a cute hairstyle. While I absolutely enjoy wearing extensions and experimenting with different styles, I don’t think I’ll ever fully rule out any extension method.

Just be mindful of the products you use on your hair and pay attention to the removal process. By following proper care and maintenance steps, you can minimize the potential downsides of quick weaves and make the experience less frustrating. With a little extra care, these extensions might not seem so dreadful after all!

and…

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