Care guide

Hair that's
ready to braid,
braids that last.

The two things that decide how long your style lasts: how you showed up, and how you take care of it once it's in. Both are simple. Both matter.

Part one

Before your
appointment.

Clean, detangled, blow-dried, product-free. That's the rule. Everything else is a variation on those four.

01
Wash and deep-condition
A clarifying shampoo + a deep conditioner the night before. Clean hair grips the braid better and helps the style last weeks longer.
02
Fully detangle
Section by section, gently work through every knot. Detangling on your own time is faster than detangling in the chair.
03
Blow-dry straight
Tension-blow-dry or stretch your hair so it’s straight enough to part cleanly. Damp or curly textures are hard to work with and add hours to your session.
04
Skip the products
No oils, leave-ins, edge controls, gels, or heavy creams the day of. They make the braiding hair slip. We’ll add the right products at the end.
05
Eat first
Most styles take hours. Bring water and a snack. Comfortable clothes you can sit in for a long time make a real difference.
06
Be ready with inspiration
Save 2–3 reference photos to your phone. I’ll help you choose the one that suits your hair and lifestyle.

Part two

The first night is the most important. Then it's a few small habits and the style will repay you for weeks.

01
Tie your hair down at night
A silk or satin scarf or bonnet keeps frizz down and protects the braids while you sleep. Cotton pillowcases dry the hair and snag the braids.
02
Spray, don’t saturate
A light braid spray (water + a little leave-in + a drop of oil) every other day. Heavy products attract lint and buildup at the roots.
03
Wash gently every 2–3 weeks
Dilute shampoo in a spray bottle, focus on the scalp. Squeeze — don’t rub. Rinse thoroughly, blot with a microfiber towel, air-dry fully.
04
Edge control on edges only
A pea-sized amount where your real hair is. Pasting it through the braid hair causes buildup and flaking.
05
Take them down on time
Eight weeks is the ceiling. Past that, knots and matting form at the roots, which can damage your natural hair when removed.
06
Plan a break between styles
Give your natural hair at least a week to breathe, deep-condition, and trim if needed before going back into another protective style.

Things to skip

Don’t sleep on cotton — it dries and snags the braids.
Don’t pour oil down the parts. It builds up at the root and traps lint.
Don’t use heavy edge controls all the way through the braid hair.
Don’t go past 8 weeks. The longer they stay in, the harder removal is.
Don’t pull on baby hairs while taking down — clip the braid down first.
Don’t skip the wash. Buildup is real. Dilute shampoo, gently spray the scalp every 2–3 weeks.

Now you know the prep. The studio takes care of the rest.