Here are the haircare maintenance products I’ve come to rely on as a decades long consistent braided hairstyle wearer.

Braids are a protective style that are often worn by women when they need a no-fuss solution while on vacation, while engaging in team or some other athletic sport that would sweat out a hair style, or during a period of time when they don’t have time to do your hair like after having a new baby.

However, for women like me, I prefer the style to wear almost year round because it offers me diversity in looks, is easy to maintain and helps me retain a pretty well manicured look for extended periods of time.

I have worn my hair in braided styles primarily for over a decade and over those years, I’ve come to rely on certain haircare and maintenance routines and products to minimize breakage and a healthy head of hair.

1

After you’ve had your braids in for a bit, sometimes it itches and flakes. It’s a good idea to get a bottle of itch spray to spritz on your out spray. I like and use Jamaican Mango No More Itch Grow spray which is only about $5.00 on Amazon and probably a little more than that at retail stores.

2

When you’re ready to take down your braids, get a bottle of take out spray that will help you remove the knots and limit breakage.

My fave is SheaMoisture’s Jojoba Oil & Ucuuba Butter Braid Up & Take Down Hair Detangler which sells for under $5 for an 8 ounce bottle on Amazon but more in stores.

3

To clean your hair while wearing braids, there is co-washes. A good co-wash will leave your hair clean and smelling fresh; and will relieve any itching.

I prefer Cantu’s “Refresh Root Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil” which comes in a small jar and is not meant to be washed out. Drizzle some on your scalp and you’ll feel it tingling and detoxing your head. It’s just $10 or so per 12 ounce bottle.

4

To keep your braids looking shiny and new, consider investing in a braid sheen spray. I prefer African Prides Olive Miracle Braid Sheen spray because it provides even coverage and is not as oily s other brands. You can get a bottle for about $11 on Amazon. It may cost more or less in retail stores.

5

Finally, to keep your braids looking neat longer and not unkempt, every night sleep with a silk braid cap. I prefer getting one that can accommodate big and heavy braids too. The Ms. Remi brand sells a deluxe extra jumbo cap that would do the trick and it’s only $5 online on Amazon.

There you have it! Good luck to your occasional or new braids wearers!

Jeneba Jalloh Ghatt can be heard nightly at 8pm on DCRadio/WHUR 96.3HD4 on "Coming to America with Wayna and Friends. She is an editor at Techyaya.com, founder of the Digital Publiching Academy and JayJayGhatt.com where she teaches online creators how to navigate digital entrepreneurship and offers Do-It-For-You Blogging Service. She manages her lifestyle sites BellyitchBlog, Jenebaspeaks and JJBraids.com and is the founder of BlackWomenTech.com 200 Black Women in Tech On Twitter. Her biz podcast 10 Minute Podcast is available on iTunes and Player.fm. to Follow her on Twitter at @Jenebaspeaks. Buy her templates over at her legal and business templates on Etsy shop!