We have all gone through the end of the week hair when all the lovely compliments cease to a halt and the hair has begun to fuzz like a peach. Instead of freaking out, let us show you how you can make Monday’s updo for lunch, Friday’s updo for a drink in town.
There is hope for that hairstyle that is kind of looking dead. When your curls are going flat and when your twists are not as nice you can easily do the entire hairstyle over again, but who has the time?
Most of us are in the same boat with our hair: we want it to look nice but we don’t want to spend extra time on it after we do it.
We know that that approach is not realistic. Here are some simple ways to keep your twists or braids in for longer without having to start over again.
1. WEAR a satin bonnet*
This advice has been repeated throughout the natural hair community and it is one of the easiest hair care things to obtain.
A satin bonnet* is available at every drugstore, Wal-Mart, Target, and beauty store, so it is a non-expensive way to keep hair smooth. Satin hair bonnets are used to make sure the moisture that is in hair locked in and it also reduces friction as opposed to cotton bonnets. Also, they can be used to wrap your hair so that the hairstyle stays in place.
2. Do not scratch your hair, if your hair is itchy, spritz some leave in with some tea tree oil*
Scratching your hair increases friction and friction between the hair follicle usually can cause fuzziness. Instead of scratching your hair, try to mix some oils* and spray them on your scalp every morning.
If you need to scratch your hair while it is in the hairstyle of your choice then make sure to lightly pat the hair. If you find your hair itching too much, then it is time for a wash and I don’t mean co-wash.
3. Make sure your hair is thoroughly shampooed and conditioned
I cannot stress this enough. Clean hair is a great start for many styles like braids, which people wear for a long time or any other protective hairstyle.
Clean and moisturized hair always look shinier, healthier, and more manageable. Since hair in that state is more manageable, then the styling process is easier and the chances are if a hairstyle starts off clean and neat, the less you have to do to make it stay that way.
4. Do not use too much product
This one is a give in. Using too much product prevents the scalp from looking clean and neat because of the product build up. Product build-up leads to itchiness, which then leads to the feeling of needing to scratch the itch.
Product build up is never easy on the eyes either. Using product sparingly not only prevents build up but it also lengthens the amount of time your hairstyle stays.
These are just a few of my tips that I have used over the past years being natural. What tips do you have for maintaining your hairstyle? Put them in the comment section.