What is the “Baggy Method” for Natural Hair?

You can call it by any name, but “baggy method” is exactly how it sounds…a method that uses plastic caps or bags to keep your hair and ends moisturized and protected. If you want to grow your child’s hair long and strong, then you may want to incorporate this method into their natural hair regimen.

There are several different variations of the baggy method. You can do the full-head baggy method, the ends only baggy method or the simpler ponytail baggy method.

The Full Head Baggy Method

The full head baggy method is simple. Here’s what you will need:

• A plastic shower cap
• An elastic headband
• Turbie Twist (optional)

1. Wash and condition the hair as you normally would and rinse out all of the product.
2. Apply a generous amount of leave-in conditioner or your favorite hair moisturizer (i.e. the moisturizer should have water as one of the first ingredients) throughout the hair.
3. Cover entire head with shower cap.
4. Secure the shower cap in place by adding an elastic headband. If water leaks out of the shower cap and drips down your neck and face, try covering up the shower cap with a Turbie Twist. The Turbie Twist is  super absorbent, so it will catch the moisture that leaks out of the shower cap and possibly onto your pillowcase!

You can leave the shower cap on for a few hours or even overnight, but not any longer than that because hair needs to dry and breathe. Repeat these steps every 7 – 10 days or when needed.

The Ends Only Baggy Method

If dry, split ends are more of a problem, then the ends only method is for you! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Leave-in conditioner and/or your favorite oil
• Rubber bands or any elastic hair tie
• Plastic bag or sandwich bag

1. Finger detangle hair and divide it into small sections (4 to 6 should do).
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner and/or your favorite oil, to the ends of the hair. Use a lot so that the ends are saturated. Good oils include plain olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and almond oil.
3. After applying your product, place a plastic bag (sandwich size or smaller, or you can cut the corners off of a grocery bag and use that instead) over your ends and secure the bag with a rubber band. You don’t have to tie them too tight, just secure enough to keep the bags from slipping off. Also, make sure the band is over the bag only and not on the hair. Tying the band onto the hair may cause tugging and breaking of the hair.
4. Cover hair with a satin scarf or satin bonnet and let set overnight.
5. Remove bags in the morning and style hair as usual.

The ends only baggy method works great for protective styles as well as braids and twists, especially if you have been wearing the style for awhile.

The (Simpler) Ponytail Baggy Method

If you are pressed for time or prefer a simpler method, then you should try  “The Ponytail Baggy Method.” Here’s how it works:

1. Pull hair into a loose ponytail and moisturize your ends.
2. Apply a bag to the ends and secure.
3. Cover the hair with a satin bonnet.
4. Remove the bag after a few hours and style hair as desired.

Unlike the full head baggy method, the ends only and ponytail baggy methods can be done nightly.

Need a video tutorial? Strawberricurls does a great job of explaining this method in her video below: