Before You Braid

Ready to set up an appointment? 

Great! Doing braided styles and weaves is a great way to protect and grow your own hair. But before going to your appointment, it is important to make sure your hair is in great shape for us to work with. If your hair is properly prepared, you can avoid breakage and dryness that can keep you from retaining the length and health of your hair.

How to prep for your appointment:

1. First make sure your hair is healthy and strong. Wait at least 1-2 weeks between taking out one style and putting in the next hair style. Give your scalp and hair time to rest. You can gently braid or twist your own hair, do buns and ponytails or puffs or wear scarves and hats during that time.
2. If your hair is thin and breaking it may need to be moisturized. It may also need a protein treatment. Your usual hair care lines will most likely have some kind of protein or strengthening hair treatment that you can use. If you want to save money and mix your own protein treatment, some high protein ingredients you can include are mayonnaise, eggs, yogurt or avocado. Try mixing 1/4 cup conditioner and or olive oil with half an avocado, 1 egg or 1/4 cup of the other high protein ingredients. Adjust  these measurements for the length of your hair.  
3. After the treatment, wash your hair with a gentle or moisturizing shampoo or a cleansing conditioner (so as not to dry out your hair). 
4. Carefully detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush while it is still wet and with a slippery conditioner that will make the job easier. Dividing your hair into at least four sections first will also make it easier to manage hair that is difficult to detangle, specifically curly and kinky hair.
5. Deep condition your hair with your favorite deep conditioner or mix one up with one part olive oil to 6 parts of your favorite conditioner. Then rinse thoroughly.
6. Use a leave-in conditioner or other light weight moisturizer and seal the ends of your hair with a light oil like jojoba or grapeseed oil. This will help any dry ends hold on to much needed moisture.
7. If your hair is curly, coily or kinky, you can braid, twist, blow dry or use some other method to stretch it. You don't need to straighten it completely. If it is straight or easy to manipulate and style in its curly state then just air dry or blow dry. Be sure to use a heat protectant and blow dry on a low or cool setting.

When you're done your hair will be ready to go for your appointment!