Yaki hair is a kind of hair extension that resembles relaxed or straightened Afro-textured hair. It is generally preferred by those with a natural, low sheen textured style of hair as it is easier to blend with their own. As such, yaki offers an option for some people who want to look like they have a seamless and voluminous head of curls.
The topic of this post will touch on the definition of yaki hair, its historical background, types, and maintenance guide while attempting to answer the question “What is Yaki?”.
The Origins of Yaki Hair
Yaki comes from the process of texturizing straight hair (usually synthetic or remy human) in such a way that umbra or relaxed afro-textured ones are attained. The trend emerged from wanting versatile haircuts suited for different occasions while keeping the natural feel and appearance. It serves as an intermediary between straight silky extensions and coarser curly hairs.
What Is Yaki?
Yaki is a term that describes the texture of hair extensions rather than its type. Yaki hair refers to the processing of how the texture is handled, regardless if they are synthetic or human hair. The aim of yaki hair is to maintain a natural African-American texture, even when it is relaxed or straightened.
Unlike yaki hair, “silky” hair extensions are usually shiny and smooth, resembling straight Caucasian or Asian hair. Yaki has a rougher texture and a matte finish that makes it look more real on someone with afro-textured strands.
Types of Yaki Hair
There are several types of yaki which serve different styling preferences and textures. They all provide their unique looks and feels so that people may choose one according to their style or expectation.
1. Silky Yaki
This particular type of yaki is the smoothest and least textured, similar to hair which has just been relaxed or straightened with a flat iron. It is more sophisticated than other types of yaki and has a light sheen. People opting for silky yaki do so knowing they want to look elegant but still want some volume and thickness associated with yaki hairs.
2. Regular Yaki
Regular yaki, otherwise known as light yaki, has a natural look that imitates relaxed hair with some texture left in. This product is perfect for people who want their extensions to have a little texture so that they blend well with their relaxed hair. In comparison to silky yaki, regular yaki hair has smoothness but slightly coarser ending making it suitable for everyday use.
3. Kinky Yaki
Kinky yaki stands out as one of the most common types of yaki and resembles natural Afro hair that has been moderately blown-dried or stretched out. It still carries the volume and feel of naturally curled or kinked hair but appears straighter. Those who desire a natural style characterized by some length and fullness will find this option an ideal choice.
4. Coarse Yaki
Coarse yaki also called perm yaki imitates chemically processed human tresses albeit that they are rougher and thicker. Women looking to add volume while retaining less manipulation and more natural appearance usually prefer this most textured version of yaki hair. Full-bodied, voluminous wigs or sew-ins are often made using coarse yaki for those seeking such looks.
Why Choose Yaki Hair?
For a lot of individuals with Afro-textured hair, yaki provides an excellent combination of the two worlds. It is able to provide them with their own hair that is both voluminous and natural looking while still giving them freedom in styling whatever they want such as keeping their hair loose or patterning it into braids or even ponytails.
1. Natural Appearance
The primary reason behind its popularity among people lies in this unique quality – the capacity to blend harmoniously with natural tresses. Unlike silky or incredibly smooth extensions, which frequently appear artificial and fake, yaki fibers correspond to texture and density of relaxed afro-textured strands. Therefore those who crave for coherence as well as realistic appearance should opt for it when considering a hairstyle.
2. Versatility in Styling
Many are ways by which yaki can be styled ranging from flat ironing all the way through curling and then braiding later on. This textured finish enables it to hold different styles better than thinner silks thus making it a favorite for individuals who want to try various looks without sacrificing volume or texture.
3. Available in Human or Synthetic Hair
There are two types of Yaki hair; human Hair and synthetic hair. While heat tool styling flexibility and longevity are more in human yaki hair, it tends to be more costly. On the other hand, synthetic yaki hair is cheaper and still resembles the natural appearance but can be hard to style or maintain over time.
Caring for Yaki Hair
To keep your yaki hair looking good for long, it is important to take care of it. Below are some tips on how you can take care of your yaki extensions:
1. Washing Yaki Hair
Using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner helps to keep the yaki hair clean and moisturized without stripping its natural oils. Be gentle when washing so that the hair does not tangle, and remember to detangle it from ends to roots before washing.
2. Minimizing Heat Damage
If your yaki hair is made with human hair, you may style it using heat tools such as flatirons or curling wands. However, always use a heat protectant so as to minimize the damage caused by heat and also preserve the texture of the hair. For synthetic yaki hair, avoid using any heating tool unless it is resistant to heat.
3. Storing Yaki Hair
When you are not wearing your yaki hair, store it in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. If it’s a wig or clip-in extensions, you can keep them on a mannequin head or in their original packaging so that they will maintain their shape and texture.
Conclusion
For people wanting extensions that mimic the look and feel of straightened Afro-textured hair, yaki is a great choice. Varying from silky to coarse, it is versatile, voluminous and has a natural appearance that attracts many stylistically-inclined persons. If you are new or experienced in using wigs, knowing what yaki means will enable you to select an ideal hairstyle next.
You might also like: Virgin Hair