No judgment. Just the truth - with the fix.
1. You're not protecting your hair at night
If you're going to sleep without a bonnet or satin pillowcase, you're undoing a lot of what your braider worked hard to achieve. Overnight friction from cotton causes frizz, disturbs your curl pattern and pulls at your edges. The fix is simple - section and twist your hair down before bed and sleep on satin. Every night. Not just when you remember.
2. You're skipping moisture
Dry braids look dull, feel rough and age faster than they should. Synthetic hair doesn't hydrate itself - you have to do it. Mix water and a light leave-in conditioner in a spray bottle and refresh your hair every few days. It takes two minutes and it makes a visible difference.
3. You're going too heavy with oil
More is not more when it comes to oil on braids. Heavy products applied directly to the length cause build-up that weighs hair down, dulls the finish and actually makes your install look older faster. Switch to a light oil sheen spray for shine and save the richer oils for your scalp.
4. You're not separating your curls and waves
As your install settles, the texture starts to clump together and lose its definition. Gently separating the hair with your fingers every few days keeps the volume and movement alive. Be patient with it - slow and gentle beats pulling every time.
5. You're neglecting your scalp
Out of sight, out of mind - but your scalp needs attention throughout your install. An itchy, dry scalp makes the whole experience miserable and can shorten how long you keep your braids in. Use a light scalp oil with a nozzle applicator to keep things balanced without disturbing the braids themselves.
Fix these five things and your next install will go the distance. Promise.
