Crochet Hairstyles to Add to Your Mood Board

There are some hairstyles that also double as the best hair hacks. Case in point? Crochet hairstyles. This extensions technique became wildly popular in the '90s and again in the mid-'00s, during the DIY natural-hair era of YouTube. When you think about convenience, this is a style that should be at the forefront of your mind.

Not to be confused with feed-in braids, crochet hairstyles have a myriad of benefits that many of its predecessors don't. "The best part about crochet hair is that it doesn't take too long," hairstylist and author Kee Taylor, tells POPSUGAR. "Other extensions can take several hours to apply and cause a bit of tension on your scalp." On the other hand, crocheting your hair extensions can be a breeze, as long as you know exactly what you're doing.

To help you further understand the technique, Taylor breaks down everything you need to know about crochet hairstyles.

Think of it like crocheting fabric. "It's the process of adding hair extensions to cornrows or braided hair using a latch hook," Taylor says. "Once the hair extensions are placed in position, they are then looped through the pre-braided cornrows."

The look seems to trend periodically because it is an easier way to get those gorgeous '90s hairstyles like jumbo twists with a lot less effort. Additionally, you won't have some of the side effects of doing your braids, twists, or other traditional hair extensions the old-fashioned way. "Since these extensions are hooked into the cornrows, they won't tug on your roots as much, which leads to less breakage," Taylor says. "They are also a bit more versatile than the versions of the styles that need a manual install. With the crochet, you can leave some of your natural hair out depending on how far apart your braids are and how much you are willing to style it in the mornings."

Speaking of styling your hair, the best way to make sure that your crochet extensions are actually blended is to take it back to your roots. "Make sure your braids are really close at the part," Taylor says. "That way, your natural hair isn't showing through and your closure will look as melted as possible."

The best part is that crochet hairstyles work for any hair type, as long as your natural hair is cornrowed beforehand. Ready for proof? Take a look at some of the best versions of the trend ahead.