Braided styles are a summer favorite, offering a perfect mix of style and practicality. Whether you’re rocking box braids, cornrows, or locs, the right products can make all the difference. Maintaining braids goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about preserving the health of your hair and scalp. The products you choose can significantly impact the longevity and look of your braids.
This guide will explain how different products can impact your braided styles, helping you make informed choices for a fabulous and hassle-free summer braid experience. Let’s dive into the best practices for maintaining beautiful braids while keeping your hair and scalp in top condition.
Popular Braided Styles for Summer
Table of contents
Locs
Image Source: @thechicnatural / Instagram
Locs are a long-lasting protective style often considered permanent. Initially, they require high maintenance, including regular retwisting, moisturizing, and diligent care. Successful loc care hinges on patience, proper moisturization, and consistent upkeep.
Products to Use
- Hydrating Mist: Locs can easily become dry, so using a hydrating mist daily will keep them moisturized. Look for mists containing natural ingredients like aloe vera and rose water, which hydrate without causing buildup. The Locsanity Daily Moisturizing Refreshing Spray for Locs is a great option, as it provides essential moisture and refreshes your locs with natural ingredients.
- Light Oils (e.g., jojoba, argan): The health of your locs starts with your scalp. Your locs are unlikely to thrive if your scalp isn’t in good condition. Moisturization involves adding and retaining water molecules in the hair and scalp. Natural oils and butter help preserve this moisture by minimizing water evaporation from the hair shaft and scalp. Regularly massage oil into the scalp will help soothe it and prevent significant moisture loss. Apply sparingly to avoid buildup, focusing on the scalp.
- Residue-Free Shampoo: Keeping your locs and scalp clean without leaving behind residue is important. Shampoos not specifically formulated for locs can leave buildup, leading to mildew and other issues. Opt for a gentle, residue-free shampoo with soothing ingredients like argan oil or peppermint to maintain scalp health. The Rastta Locs Shampoo Bar is an excellent choice, as it deep cleanses with a pH level that nourishes hair and provides a gentle cleanse to lift product debris without stripping locs. To avoid trapping the product, lather the shampoo bar in your hands and apply the lather to your hair rather than rubbing the bar directly on your locs.
Products to Avoid
- Wax (including beeswax): Wax is detrimental to locs because it is very hard to wash away, especially from within the locs. Over time, the wax builds up, making the locs unnaturally heavy, leading to breakage and thinning as the hair grows longer. Wax also prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft, causing dryness.
- Heavy Creams and Butter: These products are often too heavy and thick, leading to buildup and making locs feel greasy and weighed down. They can also slow down the loc’ing process.
- Gel with Alcohol: Gels containing alcohol can dry out the hair and scalp, causing flaking and potential breakage. They also make the hair unnaturally stiff, leading to breakage over time.
Box Braids
Image Source: @salemmitchell / Instagram
Box braids are one of the most popular protective styles for natural hair. They eliminate the need for daily combing or styling and protect hair from extreme weather conditions. However, improper maintenance can lead to dryness, excessive shedding, and hair breakage. Caring for your box braids correctly is essential to keeping hair healthy and strong.
Products to Use
- Braiding Mousse/Foam: An alcohol-free mousse or foam is ideal because it’s lightweight, keeps hair in place, and extends the life of your protective style. You’ll also want to opt for a water-based formula to reduce buildup, like Aunt Jackie’s Ready, Set, Hold! Braid Setting Foam.
- Scalp Spray: When fighting the flakes, use a good scalp spray like Design Essentials Scalp & Skin Care Detoxifying Tonic with Eucalyptus & Lemon. Infused with eucalyptus and lemon, this tonic reduces the effects of fungus and dandruff and cleanses to remove dirt particles without needing water or shampoo. The natural purification from eucalyptus and lemon soothes and stimulates, creating a healthy environment for healthy hair growth.
- Light Hair Oil: To keep your braids shiny without weighing them down, use a light oil like almond or grapeseed oil a few times weekly. These oils are excellent for adding shine and preventing dryness throughout the duration of your style.
Products to Avoid
- Heavy Thick Conditioners: While conditioning is essential, it can cause buildup at the roots and along the braids, leaving them cloggy and more prone to attracting dust and dirt.
- Sticky Styling Products: Sticky Products, like grease and petroleum jelly, can attract dirt, making your hair look dirty quickly.
- Avoid Heavy Oils: Heavy oils can clog hair follicles, causing damage and counteracting their intended benefits.
Cornrows
Reel Source: @braidedbynicks / Instagram
Cornrows are a fantastic, low-maintenance protective style that guards against moisture loss and breakage, making them ideal for any hair texture. Whether you opt for simple straight-back cornrows, intricate patterns, or styles like cornrow lemonade braids and beaded looks, proper care is essential for maintaining their longevity and health benefits. While cornrows protect against daily stressors, they can have drawbacks if not cared for properly.
Products to Use
- Satin bonnet: As the weeks pass, your cornrows will naturally loosen due to regrowth. However, this doesn’t mean you must give up the hairstyle. The best way to maintain cornrows is by minimizing unnecessary friction, especially while you sleep. Friction occurs when your hair rubs against your pillow, causing your braids to fray and loosen faster. To prevent this, wear a silk scarf or a satin sleep cap, like the Donna Black Satin Sleep Cap, to protect your cornrows and keep them looking neat for longer.
- Edge Control: A good edge control gel is essential for achieving a polished look with cornrows. It helps blend braiding hair with natural hair, part hair neatly, and smooth edges. One common issue with edge control gels is flaking, which can ruin the appearance of the style. However, The Doux Swag Goo Gel stands out as it doesn’t flake and avoids becoming so hard that it damages or dries out hair.
- Cleansers: To extend the life of a protective style, it’s important to keep your hair hydrated to prevent dryness. Regular washes are essential for maintaining a clean scalp and moisturized hair. Start with a clarifying shampoo like Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Clarifying Shampoo. Unlike some creamy shampoos that can leave a residue if not rinsed properly, this shampoo has a clear, thinner consistency and a clarifying formula that effectively breaks down scalp buildup.
Products to Avoid
- Heavy Creams: These can lead to buildup, making your cornrows look greasy and feel heavy. Opt for lightweight creams that absorb quickly into the hair and scalp.
- Non-Moisturizing Gels: Gels that lack moisturizing properties can cause flaking and dryness. Always choose gels that provide hydration to avoid these issues.
Conclusion
Maintaining braided styles like box braids, cornrows, and locs requires the right products to keep your hair healthy and your style long-lasting. Each braid type has unique needs, and using suitable products can prevent issues like dryness, buildup, and breakage.
By choosing the right products and tailoring your hair care routine, you can enjoy beautiful, healthy braids all summer. Keep your hair hydrated, clean, and protected, and your braids will look great while maintaining the overall health of your hair and scalp.
