From locs to twists, protective styles are essential parts of any natural hair journey. While regular salon visits are key to keeping your strands healthy, most of us are always looking for ways to prolong that salon-fresh look of our braids, locs, or knots.
Luckily, with the right habits, products, and guidance, you can celebrate your natural hair and care for your protective style. Here are three tips for maintaining your protective style between wash days.
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Tip #1: Say Hello to Beauty Sleep
Gorgeous hair starts with the right bedtime routine. While most of us wouldn’t dream of drifting off to sleep without enveloping our tresses in soft, silky material, this reminder is especially important for protective hairstyles. Whether you wear a satin bonnet or use silk pillowcases, protecting your hair from moisture-wicking materials and friction while you sleep is essential.
Silk or satin can protect your hair from breakage and lock in moisture, so all that hydration from your favorite hair products for textured hair can keep working its magic as you sleep. Since retaining moisture is the key to keeping your natural hair happy and preventing unwanted frizz or flyaways, this tip is key for maintaining your protective style between salon visits or wash days.
Tip #2: Nourish Your Scalp and Strands
Whether your ultimate goal is growth or your protective style is here to stay, the right lustrous products can help your style stay sleek and refreshed. Keep your tresses chic, sleek, and happy by choosing products that celebrate textured hair, hydrate thirsty strands, and support your unique hair journey.
Here’s how to care for protective styles with three products:
Applying a softening hair butter before installing protective styles can keep your natural tresses soft and hydrated.
Spritzing a rejuvenating rose water spray infused with amino acids throughout the day can hydrate your natural hair, whether you need a product for loc care and maintenance or one for temporary protective style care.
A nourishing, multipurpose oil can protect your scalp and strands from dryness or breakage at every stage of your styling journey, from maintenance to removal.
Tip #3: Trust Your Stylist
A great stylist makes all the difference at any step of your natural hair journey, whether you’re exploring protective styles for the first time or have had locs since you were a teenager. Talk with your stylist to come up with a realistic, tailored plan. The right stylist can help you maintain an appointment schedule and routine that works with your lifestyle and keeps your hair healthy.
After all, leaving temporary protective styles, such as braids or twists, in for too long can cause build-up, dryness, and damage to your natural hair. Permanent styles like locs require loving maintenance and regular upkeep. A reliable stylist who understands your unique hair goals and needs can guide you through your hair journey and help you choose protective styles and styles that celebrate and enhance your natural beauty.
Conclusion
Protective styles are essential parts of any natural hair journey. While visiting the salon is key to keeping your protective style refreshed, most of us are always looking for ways to prolong the life of our braids, locs, or knots. After all, even if you love your stylist, you might not love spending hours in the salon chair every other week. With these three tips, you can keep your protective style happy and healthy.
Checklist to Maintain Your Protective Style
Get your beauty sleep
Nourish your scalp and strands
Trust your stylist
The Author: Jewel Bowman
Jewel Bowman is a Georgia-based natural haircare enthusiast. She founded the "Jaycee Naturals" haircare line with her two sisters, Jenna and Jackie. The trio has made it their mission to formulated a quality product line that caters to all hair textures and styles.
