Guess who is back with a hair post?? Me! It’s been a long while! I’ve been protective styling my hair using wigs and braids since my 2nd big chop, so my hair has been hidden 90% of the time and there hasn’t been much to write about. However, in this post I wanted to share how I prepare my hair for a protective style seeing as it’s what I’ve been doing and I’ve been able to retain so much length.
Deep condition
This will strengthen and moisturise your hair, it will help your hair to withstand the manipulation during the installation of your protective style. I usually opt to go for a balanced conditioner to ensure that my hair gets enough moisture and protein (for strength).
Stretching
You know when you go to the salon and the person doing your hair whips out a fiiiiine tooth comb and a blow drier and you know they’re about to fry your hair! So I prefer stretching my own hair before it gets braided to save it from the heat that is applied. These days I use 2 strand twists you stretch my hair, threading is also another great technique which I have used before.
This is what I did on my wash day before I had my current braids done:
- Shampoo Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Detangling and Moisturizing Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Deep Conditioning A mixture of the Hask Repairing Deep Conditioner and the Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner
- Leave Ins Design Essentials Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Milk Souffle and Tropical Jamaican Black Castor Oil
- Stretching Two strand twists
RELATED: How to take down a protective style
If you live in Durban, the person who does my braids is Zah, you can WhatsApp her on 0736861136. She does house calls and I can’t recommend her enough, she is amazing! #notsponsored
When I can more hair, I definitely subscribed to varying degrees of the frying. But soon enuf I’d taught the hair boys that less was more. SO I’d do some mayo treatment (lol) and get some stretch with heat be gone. So lovely of you to spread the word about your braider!