BRAIDS

Braids have been a hairstyle of choice for many of us since we were toddlers. Since we are approaching summer in about a week here are some tips if you decided to wear your hair in braids. Many styles and many braids professionals but here are some things to keep in mind when you decided to braid your hair.
Style: The style you pick is very important, watching re-runs of Living Single I have admired and liked Max's braids. Boy could she rock that bob like no other. If your face can handle it ware it. Then I think about about the dance hall star Patra yall remember her, her braids were off the chain. I wonder if she could dirty wine with those braids in her hair. I think the most famous braids are Susan Taylor's who has wore her style since I was 10. When picking your style keep your hair texture and hair pattern in mind. Some braid professionals braid very tight and tension alocpecia can occur around the hair line in the front, crown and also the back. I prefer micro braids because they are the most versatile for me. But there are box braids, corn rows, kinky twist, individual braids and the list goes on. Just make sure it fits your face hair type and texture.

Up keep: Make sure your relaxer is in its 6-8 week before your put braids in your hair to keep your healthy and to prevent breakage. If you choose a smaller braid style like micro braids do not keep them in over 6 months. Its wise to take them out at the 3-4- month mark. The hair that you choose is important picking a medium to premium grade human hair is best. The synthetic hair will look like a hot mess. Yeah I am bias I like the human hair, some braid shops offer a pretty decent grade but if your picky select your own hair and inch. Its okay to maintain your scalp health while you have your braids in however refrain from using shampoo and other styling products that will build up on your scalp and also it will create a dirty ring around where the ball of were the hair is connected to the braiding hair. You will be in shock when you take you hair down and it will cause breakage. Try: rinsing your hair with a clarifer such as an apple/vinegar cider and water mix. When you mix it mix it in equal parts and spray and or apply to your hair and the rinse with warm water. After you apply this on your scalp find a deep conditioner of your choice I like to use coconut oil and then sit under a hooded dryer for 25-30 minutes rinse your hair with cool water and style as usual. I also like to use Carols Daughter leave in conditioner Tui and Tui oil. Okay here goes here's my secret I use a satin wrap called satinsaak and it can be found at www.satinsaak.com. This will keep you braids looking fresh until you take them out.

Take down: saturate your braids in a conditioner of your choice and sleep with a conditioning cap over night and then take them out. If you don't have enough patience you can go to your braid shop and have them take them down for about 40.00 but do not skip the conditioning part it is very important. If your local here are a few braid shops I recommend LaDiva on Western and University and Malobe on Lake Street. On the radar MBA braids on Rice street. If you know of a good braid shop leave the name and in the comments section.