One of the major benefits to wearing braids (or, really, any protective style) is that it they always cut down on my styling time and make getting ready in under an hour every morning a breeze. Braids have always been considered a low-maintenance protective style that tucks your real hair away to keep manipulation at an all-time low, and while they definitely can do that, some braided styles require a little more maintenance than others.
Boho braids, for example, are box braids that usually have strands of curly or wavy human hair added to the outside of the braid to give the hair sort of an undone look, similar to goddess braids. As you could probably guess, said hair that’s left out can easily tangle or start to look and feel dry just days after your hair appointment.
As a frequent protective style wearer, my go-to style this summer was boho braids, and I’m committed to making sure my hair can stay fresh and frizz-free for every bit of the six weeks I was recommended to keep them. To see what I’m doing to keep my boho braids in perfect shape, keep reading for my full product lineup.
Satin Is Your Best Friend
Something I’ve learned as an adult is that, when my mother made me go to sleep in a satin scarf or bonnet as a kid, she wasn’t doing it for no reason. Silk or satin products like bonnets and pillowcases are some of the best ways you can avoid waking up to massive tangles, and they also aren’t as harsh or drying on your hair as cotton.
I wear a silk bonnet to bed every night, but especially when my hair is in braids. You can buy one pretty much anywhere for a decent price, but just make sure it comes with an elastic band to keep it from sliding off as you sleep.
Yanibest
Satin Bonnet for Long Braids
If you prefer longer, waist-length hairstyles, get a bonnet that’s suitable for longer lengths and can fit all your braids into it without it looking or feeling too bulky. This one comes with a stretchy band that ties around the front so you can adjust it to be as tight or as loose as you want it to be.
Rinse and Repeat
Yes, shampooing your hair when it’s in braids is a must, but I also love a good scalp rinse every now and again. These are just two of my favorites.
NatureLab. Tokyo
Perfect Clean Scalp Rinse
This scalp rinse has been one of my hair favorites ever since it was released. My scalp can get itchy and irritated from product buildup at times, so aside from this being able to gently break up that buildup, it’s also incredibly soothing thanks to the formula’s rice and sake waters.
dpHUE
Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
This also comes in handy whenever I need a quick rinse. The nozzle is really helpful for making sure I don’t make a mess and only apply it to targeted areas, and it works quickly to soothe my scalp when it’s itchy or irritated.
Tame the Tangles
Boho and goddess braids require a little extra care since the styles both feature loose hair woven into each braid. Here’s what I keep on hand to make sure said hair doesn’t end up tangled and matted.
UNbrush
Detangling Hair Brush
I’ve tested a lot of detangling brushes, but this one is my favorite by far. Not only does it glide through my curls and kinks when my hair is in its natural state, it also works really well when I need to brush through my boho braids. It frees my hair of tangles without pulling or getting snagged on other braids.
The Doux
Mousse Def Texture Foam
This mousse works great for setting curls and other styles in place, but you can also use it to tame flyaways and frizz that may occur when you’ve had your boho braids in for at least a few weeks. Just add a generous amount and brush it in—no flakes or residue!
Keep Things Fresh
Any excess hair that’s left out of your braids can dry out and end up frizzy if you’re not careful. Any time my hair feels a little dry and I want to give it a quick moisture boost, I like to spritz it with a good curl refresher spray.
Bumble and bumble.
Curl Reactivator Moisturizing Hair Mist
Some of the star ingredients of this light mist are coconut oil and shea butter, and it moisturizes and adds a touch of shine to your hair without making it super slick or greasy.
Kérastase
Curl Manifesto Curl Refreshing & Restyling Spray
Another light spray that revives lived-in curls and waves with just a few spritzes, the ceramides in the formula also ensure that your hair won’t frizz up or break off.
Edge Control
I don’t always like to add edge control to my baby hairs, but when I do, I make sure I’m only using products that that hold well but aren’t thick enough to potentially cause breakage on the thin areas of my hair.
This edge control from Pattern has never let me down. My edges are already very delicate, but this provides hold without being too heavy, and it also doesn’t flake once it dries down.
Ampro
Extra Hold Conditioning Gel
I’m not kidding when I say I’ve had this applied to my edges before and they stayed in place for the next three days. And even though this product provides a really strong hold, my edges never feel sticky or gunky after it’s applied.
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