Protective Styles For Length Retention

So....what's a protective style?

That's simple. My definition of a protective style is a hairstyle that, most importantly, protects your ends and involves as low manipulation as possible. Its a way to give your hair a break from the daily combing, twisting, and even touching that can take a toll on your tresses and ultimately prevent length retention.

Some great protective styles are:

Braids (with or without extensions):
Braids, if done correctly, can be a great versatile protective styles. Whether they are cornrows, "poetic justice" braids, or micros, they are a good way to give your hair a break. It is key to make sure that they are not too tight. Do not be afraid to tell your stylist to go easy...ESPECIALLY with your edges because those are the first to go!

Twists (with or without extensions):
Senegalese twists, mini twists, havana twists, curlique twists and flat twists are cute protective styles. Just like with the braids, make sure your stylist isnt trying to grab all your edges. I usually tell them to leave them out...That's what pomades like Edges are for...so slick those edges down.

Weaves/Sew-Ins:
 I love a good weave! There is a school of thought that says that weaves are not protective styles. I don't agree! I think if done properly, sew ins can be great protective styles. Now what constitutes "properly", The sew-in shouldn't be tight. You probably shouldn't wear them for 11 months out of the year and you need to make sure the hair underneath is in good shape (trimmed, deep conditioned regularly, and well moisturized). I prefer a curly or a kinkier sew-in, but some people like them straight. I would recommend that if you choose straight, be careful with the leave out. Don't flat iron dirty hair and also instead of flat ironing, try roller setting your leave out! If you apply too much heat on a regular basis, your curl pattern will be shot and your hair will be damaged.

Wigs/Half Wigs:
This is one of my favorite protective styles! I tell all my newly natural friends, " A Half Wig can save a life!" I love them because its the benefits of a weave, but you get to take it off at night :) This could be a staple style for a transitioner! I recommend washing, deep conditioning, sealing, and braiding the hair underneath. Style it so it looks natural! I've fooled many of people with a good half wig.

Buns:
My ultimate favorite protective style is the almighty high bun! When I F&*k up a twist out or Bantu knot out, a high bun can save the day, and I still feel cute. Its great for transitioners because you don't have to worry about blending your two textures...just slick everything up!

Remember with all these styles, you need to keep your hair moisturized...BY ANY MEANS necessary.  Get a spray bottle and add some water and your favorite carrier and essential oil (olive oil, jojoba oil, tea tree, peppermint, apricot kernel, etc) and spray your hair. You can also add some oil directly to your scalp!  Before any long term protective style, like braids or weaves, I recommend a  strong Protein Treatment (and a deep conditioner) before and a light protein treatment  (and deep conditioner) after. Protein treatments strengthen the hair, thus adding more protection against breakage. Also, don't leave your protective styles in for too long. Your hair could knot up and get matted and then you won't retain any length, instead you'll just see a lot of breakage. I would say not to leave any hairstyle in for longer than a month...but that's just the amount of time that I am comfortable with. Everyone's different!

My HairCare Line Up

A lot of my friends, and sometimes even strangers ask me what products I use. Well, it's no longer a secret. I'm bringing it to the masses:

Pre-Poos: 
Some people don't like or think pre-poos can be beneficial. I don't agree. Ever since I was a child, I remember getting them. If used properly, they can saturate the hair with oils so the hair is protected during washing. For instance, coconut oil is one of the only oils that can penetrate the hair shaft (after being left in for hours). This makes coconut oil the PERFECT pre-poo!

• Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Hair Cleansers:


Its essential to clean your hair. The buildup of dirt whether applied (products) or naturally forming (sebum, sweat, environment) can ultimately hinder growth. Wash as you see necessary. But over washing it (especially with sulfate shampoos) can cause irreversible damage. I wash my hair every 1 – 2 weeks…depending on how lazy I’m feeling.

• As I Am Coconut CoWash
• Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

*I don’t use shampoos often. I only use shampoos after protective styles or before a protein treatment or hair straightening. For the most part, I cowash. I have a tighter curl pattern and cowashing has proven to be a better fit for me.*

Conditioners/ Deep Conditioners: 
Conditioning natural hair is so important especially if you use sulfate shampoos. A conditioner’s ingredients are meant to coat the hair and add back some of the good oils you may have washed away while shampooing. Whenever you wash your hair, condition it after! Conditioners are designed to protect and repair the hair.

• TRESemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner
• As I Am Hydration Elation
• Spiral Solutions Deeply Decadent Moisturizing Treatment

 Leave In Conditioners:

A good leave in conditioner is just as necessary as a good deep conditioner. They have higher levels of humectants, which are ingredients that are meant to retain moisture (i.e glycerin, aloe, sorbitol, Vitamin E, etc). They are your number one savior when it comes to detangling! I prefer and recommend a thicker, creamier leave in for my thick and coarse haired girls (like myself). 

• As I Am Leave In Conditioner
• KeraCare Natural Textures Leave In 
• Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream
• Karen's Body Beautiful Leave In

Sealants:
Sealants are very important. Think of it in this sense. Companies sell their products in a set in order for your to maximize the results you are looking for. Beauty lines typically sell a body wash, body lotion, and a body butter. Think of the body wash as the shampoo/cleanser, the lotion as the conditioner, and the body butter as the sealant.  The sealant seals in all the moisture you added as well as what you produce naturally. It is usually a butter or an oil.

• A mixture of random butters and oils: mango, almond, jojoba, cocoa, shea, etc

Treatments: 
Sometimes you have to spoil your hair, whether its because you've treated it bad, been neglectful, or just because you want to give yourself a little TLC.  Whenever I straighten my hair or install a weave, I do a protein treatment (either before or after).  Your hair is made up of  fat and protein (among other things). Sometimes, the protein is damaged and by adding extra protein, you can gain some recovery for the follicles.

• Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment
• HENNA!!! (Don't sleep on Henna! You can add some color and give your hair some extra protection at the same damn time....for cheap!)

Stylers:
This category is completely subjective, even mores o than the others. What works great for me, may not work at all for you. Some of my favorites are:

• KeraCare Natural Textures Twist & Define Cream (great for twist outs, flat twists, mini twists, and braid outs)
• EcoStyler Gel (I use the maximum hold)
• Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk (for bantu knot outs and roll /tuck styles)
• Hicks Total Transformation Edges (This stuff is sent from heaven! If you want a super sleek look, or if you just want your edges to lay down and act right, this is the product for you)
• Jane Carter's Wrap & Roll (great for curlformers, flexi rod sets, and roller sets)
• Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream (Excellent for 4a-c Wash N' Gos)

FAV HairCare Toys:

• Denman Brush - essential for detangling
• Huetiful Hair Steamer - I use this for deep conditioning sessions when I want to spoil my hair. It leave it feeling so lush and soft. It uses wet heat (steam) instead of dry heat. Its like a spa treatment for your hair.
• Conditioning Cap - My mother has had one of these for as long as I can remember and I still use it. I use it when I deep condition without having to haul out the steamer or the huge hooded dryer.

 What products do you use?

Certified Product Junkie Review: TREsemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner Product Review

I am CERTIFIED PRODUCT JUNKIE. As long as the Ingredient List is decent, I will give almost anything a try. This video was done about a year ago, but this conditioner is still one of my favs!

How I Use It: It can be used for Wash N' Gos, a quick conditioner (before you use your deep conditioner), or even as a CoWash. It's also good for those who do the Curly Girl Method! I usually use it as a cowash and then add some more while my hair is soaking wet. I put my hair into about 6 plaits and go to sleep. In the morning, its fairly dry. I unravel my braids...style...and go! I also add this to some of my other condtioners that lack in slip!

Where to Buy: I purchased mines from Walgreen's, but this can be found anywhere TreSemme products are sold (WalMart, Target, Beauty Supply Stores, Duane Reade, etc.)

 Perks of the Product: It's Silicone free (for those who are ANTI- SILICONE). Its fairly priced (ranging from $4.50 - $7.99). It's easy to find. It provides EXCELLENT SLIP and it smells nice as well.