How Mesh Installs Are Installed: Braided Base vs Micro Bead Flat Base
Every mesh install starts the same way: by creating a base on the head with the client's natural hair. The lace piece is then sewn onto that base. What changes is the type of base, and that depends on how the lace is being installed.
In this guide, I will explain the two bases for mesh installs, the braided base and the micro bead flat base, and when to use each.
PART ONE: Why the Base Matters
The base is what the lace is attached to. It has to be:
- Secure enough to hold the lace for weeks or months
- Flat so the lace lays smooth and looks like scalp
- Gentle on the natural hair and scalp
PART TWO: The Braided Base
A braided base is typically used when lace pieces are installed with a traditional sew-in. The natural hair is braided flat to the head, and the wefts and lace are sewn onto the braids.
When to use it
- A traditional sew-in with a closure, frontal, or 360
- A full protective style with no natural hair out
Keys to a good braided base
- Flat, even braids
- Comfortable tension
- A pattern that supports the lace placement
PART THREE: The Micro Bead Flat Base
When the lace piece is installed on its own, what is now called a mesh integration, the base is created by pulling the natural hair through micro beads. This creates a flat surface, a flat base, and the mesh is then sewn onto it.
When to use it
- A lace piece integrated into the client's own hair
- Targeted coverage for thinning in a specific area
- Integrating lace alongside single rows, bonds, tape-ins, or clip-ins
Keys to a good bead base
- Even sections pulled through each bead
- Beads spaced to create a smooth, flat surface
- Low tension, especially on fragile or thinning areas
"Braids for a sew-in. Beads for an integration. Either way, the base has to be flat, secure, and gentle."
SIDE BY SIDE: Braided Base vs Micro Bead Flat Base
| Factor | Braided Base | Micro Bead Flat Base |
|---|---|---|
| Typically used with | Traditional sew-in | Mesh integration on its own |
| How it is made | Natural hair braided flat | Natural hair pulled through micro beads |
| Natural hair out | Usually none | Surrounding hair blends in |
| Best for | Full protective styles | Targeted coverage |
What to Expect
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Consultation | Choose the base and lace piece |
| Base | Braided or beaded |
| Lace | Sewn onto the base |
| Maintenance | Base refreshed as the hair grows |
BOTTOM LINE
Mesh installs start with a base made from the natural hair. A braided base is typically used with a traditional sew-in, and a micro bead flat base is used for a mesh integration on its own. Either way, the lace is sewn onto a flat, secure, gentle foundation.
Read The Micro Bead Flat Base and Mesh Installs With a Traditional Sew-In.
Train and Shop With BLONC
Learn both bases step by step with the Mesh Integration Install Certification at Blonc Academy, and practice with the Mesh Integration Install Training Kit.
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