As great and simple as braids and twists are, they still require a certain amount of maintenance for upkeep of the style and your natural hair. Here are 5 important tips for making your braids last longer
1. Protect them at night with a silk scarf or bonnet
The silk scarf protects your hair from wild sleeping at night, manages frizz, and maintains the appearance of your braids while keeping your roots intact. Stylists recommend using a silk scarf to tie your hair down at night because braids are usually longer in length than other styles. But, there are now braid bonnets available for purchase that are large enough to contain your braids at night. Wrapping your hair at night will keep your hair looking fresh and durable.
2. Cut down your wash routine
Yes, you need to keep your scalp clean while your braids are installed. But your regular wash routine will absolutely cause frizz at the scalp – not to mention how long it’ll take to dry all of that hair! Instead, use a root rinse or treatment, like Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Clarifying Scalp Treatment, to cleanse your scalp.
3. Keep your scalp moist
Break out a Spray Bottle and spray your thirsty roots. It only takes a couple of minutes to moisturize your hair. Just like EVERY other living thing on this earth, your hair needs moisture to survive. The number #1 moisturizer for your thirsty roots is water…PERIOD!
4. Don't over-style
Wearing your hair down or in a bun everyday is boring, I know. The good thing about braids and twists is that they allow for versatility - but too much manipulation can loosen up the braids sooner than they should. The point of braids and twists, aside from style, is that they are meant to be a protective style option. If you’re pinning, twisting, and doing too many styles with your braids, they can have an adverse effect. Not only does over styling give you less time with your braids and twists, but it can also damage your natural hair in the process. Your braids or twists are styles in themselves, so keep the styling to a minimum.
5. Regular touch-ups
You don’t have to run to your stylist every 4 weeks for completely new braids. The braids or twists around your edge and the front and back of your hair are normally the ones that look a little more rough and in need of sooner upkeep. The ones in the middle are not as exposed or affected by styling, so they tend to look newer, longer. Get a touch up on a few rows in the front, sides, and back of your hair before you do away with them all. It’ll save you time and money.
How long do you keep your braids in? How do you do it? Let us know below in the comments! If you’re looking for more black hairstyle ideas, check out in beautyforever.com