Beauty Tips

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Whether you're natural or not, there are so many reasons to rock a protective style during the summer. Beyond shielding your hair from the harsh sun, styles like braids, twists, or faux locs can reduce excess breakage from heat styling, increase length retention, and protect against environmental damage. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they look pretty fabulous. However, the biggest misconception is thinking you can skip washing your braids in effort to preserve your style.

Although braids can last anywhere between two to eight weeks depending on which kind you go for and how you wear them, you should be prepared to clean  roughly every two to three weeks. If you’ve been swimming (or happen to sweat a lot), your scalp will require a bit of TLC. Think gentle (but thorough) with an emphasis on the partings.

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• Start by pretreating your hair: Even before you install your braids, a bit of legwork is required for your natural hair. “Braids can give your hair some rest, but it’s important to have them done by a professional who knows not to make them too tight and properly maintain them. Before braiding, wash and condition your hair regularly and use hydrating deep conditioning treatments that will add moisture to your hair.

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• Don't rub your braids as you wash them: The best thing to do is to wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to get rid of the dirt and buildup in your scalp. Wash your hair from scalp to end, with the movement going in a vertical angle this will prevent fizziness at the roots and braids.” Pending the type of hair (think human vs. synthetic), a small drop of conditioner should be used on the ends only. Immediately after washing, use a hot oil treatment to re-hydrate your stressed scalp. . Spraying braids daily with Blessed Grow moisturizer will also keep your hair hydrated. The main oil ingredients will penetrate the hair shaft rather than sitting on top of your hair as a traditional oil would.

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• Dry them all the way before styling: Damp braids that aren’t properly dried can lead to some really unpleasant scalp issues like dandruff, fungus, and mildew to name a few of the horrors. It's best to sit under a hooded dryer for at least 30 minutes, If you don't have a hooded dryer, you can let your braids air dry for a full day. Do not pull the braids up into a style until they are completely dry.

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• Need to skip hopping in the shower? Sea Breeze and/or Witch Hazel is a quick and easy way to remove dirt and buildup from your scalp without washing, These two products are astringents that will break down dirt and oil on your scalp, and they're a great option if you're trying to increase the longevity of your style.

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• Listen to your scalp: Remember, even if your hair is looking good, keeping your braids in for too long is a big NO NO!! As hair that sheds begins to accumulate, you'll need to get rid of it. This can add extra stress on your own hair due to the added weight. When your scalp starts telling you it's had enough, It gets uncomfortably itchy or feels heavy), that's when your braids will need to come out all together.