I realized that I hadn't updated the protective styling tips in two years!  Our product line has grown to improve your natural hair health, so here goes!

What is a protective style? A protective style is a low manipulation and low maintenance style that allows your hair to flourish by minimizing damage and breakage, especially to your delicate ends.

Fall is fast approaching, and it's my favorite time to wear protective styles! I tend to have fun with my hair and throw caution, as well as my strict hair regimen, to the wind during summer months. When the weather starts to get cold and dry, I protect my hair from the elements as much as possible. I'm a New Yorker, so it's pretty much winter from November to April. During the cold months, my mega puff and fab twist outs take a back seat to an array creative protective styles. I used to prefer short term protective styles, like buns and flat twists, over long term styles that are worn for weeks or even months at a time. However, I've found myself wearing crochet braids for up to 8 weeks a few times a year.  Short term styles allow for versatility and easy healthy hair maintenance, but you can also be kind to your hair and retain moisture while wearing long term styles. Check out the protective styling tips below.

1. Be kind your edges - Don't wear protective styles that pull your hairline too tight at the roots. Up do's should only be worn for a week at a time. If you're getting your hair braided by a professional, be sure to communicate any discomfort along your hairline to your stylist. Keeping your edges moisturized with an oil such as, Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, will help maintain full edges, as well.  Don't allow the stylist to detangle your hair with a fine tooth comb.  Our Sandalwood Detangling Comb is great to use on wet or dry hair.

2. Remember to Moisturize - The cold can dry your hair out. Synthetic hair used for braids and other extensions can also contribute to dryness. Spritz your hair daily with a water based leave-in conditioner like our Janomi Citrus Juice Leave-in Conditioner. The water, aloe vera juice, avocado oil, and tamanu oil provide great moisture and conditioning. Steam from the shower or a hair steaming tool are great for adding moisture to your real hair while wearing long term protective styles.

3. Maintain a Healthy Scalp - You might not get to wash your hair as often as you like while wearing long term protective styles, but you can still keep your scalp clean. Rub a wash cloth with a little shampoo on your scalp and in between braids to remove build up.  Diluted apple cider vinegar is also an option for cleansing the scalp.  Apply a natural oil with anti-fungal properties, like Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, to moisturize your scalp and to prevent itching caused by bacteria and build up.

4. Seal your ends - One of the main reasons to wear a protective style is to retain length by protecting your ends. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair, so they need the most tlc. Seal the moisture into your ends with an oil (Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil) or cream (Janomi Avomango Styling Butter) to prevent breakage caused by friction against your clothes when wearing two strand twists and braids. Coat your ends with an oil or cream before tucking them away in buns and other up do's.

5. Take a break, and don't over do it - Don't wear box braids, sew-in weaves, and crochet braids for longer than 8 weeks. Even if the style still looks good, you want to avoid the tangling and matting of your real hair that can be caused wearing a style for too long. Give your hair a chance to breathe in between protective styles. It's never a good idea to continuously wear long term protective styles back to back. Lack of proper daily care and the weight of added hair takes a toll on your tresses. Take the time to wash, moisturize, maintain a healthy hair regimen, and assess the overall health of your hair before adding hair for braids or sew-ins again. In the meantime, try a funky short term protective style to switch up your look.

Happy Styling!  Now go retain that length!