You’ve seen the photos. Those perfect, cascading waves that look like they belong on a beach in Bali, but they’re actually sitting in a plastic pack at the beauty supply store for ten bucks. Freetress deep wave crochet hair is basically the "gateway drug" of the crochet world. It’s cheap. It’s gorgeous. And if you don't know what you're doing, it will turn into a bird’s nest in exactly four days.
I’ve seen it happen. You spend three hours installing it, look in the mirror like you're Beyoncé, and then wake up Thursday morning with a matted lump at the nape of your neck. Honestly, it’s frustrating. But the hair isn't actually bad; it's just misunderstood.
Why Freetress Deep Wave is Kinda the GOAT (And Kinda Not)
Let’s be real. This isn't human hair. It’s a synthetic blend, usually Kanekalon or some proprietary high-heat fiber, designed to mimic a specific curl pattern. The "Deep Wave" is tighter than a water wave but looser than a 4C coil. It has this incredible sheen when it’s fresh out of the pack—some might say it’s a bit too shiny—but that settles down after a day or two.
People love it because it’s lightweight. You can put five packs on your head and not feel like you’re wearing a weighted vest. Plus, the price point is unbeatable. You can get a whole new look for the price of a takeout pizza.
But here’s the kicker: it tangles. It tangles because synthetic fibers create friction. When those fibers rub against your cotton hoodie or your pillowcase, they hook into each other. If you don't manage that friction, you're toast.
The Installation Secret No One Tells You
Most people just loop the hair through their cornrows and call it a day. If you want it to last, you have to be more strategic.
Don't use the whole strand. Seriously. If you take the chunk of hair as it comes out of the pack and crochet it in, it’s going to look bulky and fake. Take that one strand and split it into two or even three smaller pieces. It makes the hair look more natural and, more importantly, it makes the knots smaller.
Smaller knots mean the hair won't slip out as easily. There’s nothing more embarrassing than a whole "deep wave" falling out in the grocery store aisle.
The Braiding Pattern Matters
If you’re doing a middle part, your cornrows need to be tight and skinny near the part. If they're too fat, the crochet hook won't go through easily, and you'll end up with gaps. I usually suggest a "beehive" pattern or a "straight back" with the ends sewn down. Just make sure you aren't pulling your edges too tight. Traction alopecia is real, and no hairstyle is worth losing your hairline over.
How to Actually Stop the Tangling
Okay, let’s talk maintenance. This is where most people fail with Freetress deep wave crochet hair. You cannot treat this like your natural hair. You cannot brush it.
If you take a brush to these waves, you will create a frizz monster that cannot be tamed.
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- The Scissors are Your Best Friend. Every morning, go through the hair with your fingers. When you feel a knot that won't budge, don't pull it. Snip it. Use sharp hair scissors to cut the stray, frizzy fibers away. It won't ruin the look; it actually keeps the "clump" of the wave together.
- Mousse is King. Use a light, alcohol-free mousse like Lotta Body or even the Herbal Essences Totally Twisted. It weighs the hair down just enough to keep the waves defined without making them crunchy.
- Pineapple it. At night, pull the hair up into a very loose high ponytail (the pineapple). Use a satin or silk scarf. Cotton is the enemy of synthetic hair. It sucks out the moisture (yes, synthetic hair needs moisture too, sort of) and causes the friction that leads to matting.
The "Silicon Mix" Myth
You’ll hear some people tell you to soak the hair in fabric softener or Silicon Mix. Honestly? It’s a bit of a toss-up. Fabric softener is literally designed to reduce static in clothes, so it does help with synthetic fibers. But it’s not skin-safe for everyone. If you have a sensitive scalp, you’re basically putting laundry chemicals right against your pores.
Instead, try a mixture of water and a tiny bit of leave-in conditioner in a spray bottle. Just a mist. You want to lubricate the fibers so they slide past each other rather than hooking together.
When to Throw in the Towel
How long does it last?
If you’re a pro at maintenance, you can get four weeks out of it. If you’re a "get up and go" person, you’ll probably be over it by day ten. You’ll know it’s time to take it out when the nape of your neck feels like a felted wool rug.
Don't try to save it at that point. Just cut it out. The beauty of Freetress is that it’s cheap enough to replace without feeling guilty.
Actionable Maintenance Routine:
- Morning: Finger-detangle only. Snip any "spider-web" frizz with scissors. Apply a palm-full of mousse to keep the waves together.
- Mid-Week: Mist the hair with a water/conditioner mix. Focus on the ends.
- Night: High pineapple with a satin scarf or bonnet.
If you follow this, your Freetress deep wave crochet hair will actually look like the pack promised. It's about working with the synthetic nature of the fiber rather than fighting it. Keep the scissors handy, keep the mousse ready, and stop touching it every five minutes. The more you touch it, the faster it frizzes. That’s the golden rule.