While it can be easy to focus on the challenges of maintaining thick, natural hair, it is hard to ignore its stunning versatility. There are endless ways to keep curly hairstyles feeling new and exciting (like silk presses or wash-and-gos, for example). However, they require significant manipulation and can lead to breakage and overall damage — whether it is from flat iron heat or tugging on your hair as you detangle your curls.
This is why, especially in the summer, many turn to protective styles like cornrows, twists and knotless braids. Not only do these styles shield your hair and eliminate the need for styling tools, but they also keep your curls laid in the face of humidity. However, when your hair is safely tucked into a plaited style, it may be tempting to skip a few wash days and scalp care sessions, which can lead to visible, oily buildup. To keep your braids looking good and feeling their healthiest, we spoke to experts about everything you’ll need to maintain your protective style this summer.
SKIP AHEAD Wash Day | Scalp Care | Edge Care | Maintaining Your Ends | Styling | Sleep | Take Down | What type of braiding hair should I use?
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Everything you need to maintain your braids in 2024
Below, we provide a comprehensive, expert-backed routine that will help your braids stay healthy. Read on for tips from Kamilah Gerestant, hairstylist and knotless braid expert, Jaxcee Challenger, founder of The Coily Collective and NBC Select page Mikhaila Archer’s long-time hairstylist, and Yasmine Young, owner of Diaspora Salon who specializes in protective styling. Plus, we’re sharing top-rated and expert-recommended products you’ll want on hand for each step.
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Wash Day
Washing protective styles is a task that many put off due to a fear of aging their braids, says Gerestant. However, your hair won’t achieve optimal health if you are not shampooing and deep conditioning it at least once a week, according to Challenger. Our experts agree that this schedule isn’t always feasible with braided styles, so Gerestant generally suggests a wash every two weeks. Below, we’re sharing the products they recommend incorporating into your wash day lineup.
Design Essentials Avocado Clarifying Shampoo
- Sulfate-free
- Detangles hair
- Available in two sizes
- Nothing to note at this time
When searching for a shampoo for your braids Gerestant says to look for clear — not white — options. “When you use a white, creamy shampoo, and don’t [wash] it out properly, it leaves a residue that can stay on your hair and cause more damage,” she says. Instead, she recommends this option from Design Essentials due to its thinner consistency and clarifying formulation that breaks down scalp buildup without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo
- Safe for daily use
- Prevents build-up
- Not in pump packaging
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, Young recommends this sulfate-free shampoo for a gentle yet effective deep cleanse, especially after taking your braids out. The shampoo has ingredients like phytic acid, mandarin orange extract and sea kelp to remove build-up and hard water minerals, according to the brand.
TPH By Taraji Master Scalp Shampoo
- Tri-touch applicator
- Color-safe
- Relieves itchiness/flakiness
- Strong scent
This scalp shampoo has become one of Archer’s go-tos for braid care. “It’s comb-like applicator helps me quickly and evenly distribute the clear, watery cleanser throughout my hair and the tingling sensation assures me that my scalp is getting the deep clean it needs,” she says. “I typically use this as a soothing, second wash after thoroughly scrubbing my scalp with a clarifying shampoo.”
Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Shampoo
- Sulfate-free
- Improves manageability
- Sweet scent
- Can only use once a week
This clarifying shampoo is a gentle vegan option that removes buildup with an “exclusive sulfate-free multifunctional surfactant technology” instead of harsher clarifiers, according to the brand. Aside from removing build-up, it also helps add shine and softness back to the hair, according to Malibu C.
Mizani Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
- Reduces frizz
- Improves manageability
- Has heat protection
- Higher price point
With braids, you can skip the thick, creamy conditioners you might use on your natural hair. Instead, Gerestant recommends this leave-in conditioner that features a moisturizing, coconut oil blend. The water-based product can easily penetrate the gap of your braids and reach the hair underneath, keeping it soft and supple until you take down your protective style, according to the brand.
Aquis Microfiber Hair Towel
- Not bulky
- Minimizes damage
- Increases shine
- Not in a larger size
“I love microfiber towels like the ones from Aquis to dry my braids,” says Challenger. The towel’s nylon and polyester fabric dries your braids while reducing the friction that’s typically caused by regular body towels. It also helps keep your hair strong and eliminates frizz, according to the brand.
Scalp Care
Gerestant says it best: “We wash our faces everyday, why don’t we use that same logic for our scalp?” It may take some adjusting, but cleansing your scalp weekly will ensure that your natural hair continues to flourish underneath the protective style. “[The braids] are not your hair, eventually [they] have to come out. [So] it all goes back to the health of your scalp,” says Gerestant.
Pattern Beauty Jojoba Oil Blend
- Reduces itchiness
- Moisturizing
- Doesn’t leave behind a residue
- Higher price point
“I think there’s this huge obsession with oil,” says Gerestant, who particularly highlights the popularity of castor oil. “The problem is, those fattier oils just sit in the scalp and they don’t absorb.” Instead, she recommended sticking to lighter oils with antifungal and antibacterial properties like jojoba, tea tree, or peppermint.
Archer uses this lavender and jojoba-based option from Pattern Beauty on her braids. “Its small pump makes it easy to apply directly to my scalp and quickly soothes the itching that can arise a few weeks after installing braids,” she says.
Thayers Witch Hazel
- Multipurpose
- Non-drying
- Added fragrance
“At the very least, put witch hazel on a cotton pad and wipe down your scalp weekly,” says Gerestant. While you may be more familiar with witch hazel as a skin care ingredient, it can provide the same soothing and cleansing benefits for your scalp. In addition to relieving dryness and flakiness, witch hazel is a great tool for breaking down sweat and oil buildup at the base of your braids.
Raw Sugar Rosemary Vinegar Hair Rinse
- Sulfate-free
- Easy to apply
- Adds shine
- Small bottle doesn’t last long
“I love that this rinse has a nozzle applicator, making it easy to get around my braids and apply directly to my scalp,” says NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, who, before trying this product, often struggled with wash days while wearing knotless braids. Not only is it easy to apply, but it also is effective at relieving any itchiness, she says.
The sulfate-free vinegar rinse has ingredients including apple cider vingegar, rosemary and mint to cleanse and stimulate the scalp while also leaving hair smelling fresh and herbaceous, according to the brand.
Edge Care
Whether you prefer elaborate swoop designs or simply want to keep your baby hairs tamed, edge styling can help tokeep your protective style looking neat, if that’s your goal. Luckily, with a good brush and the right edge control for your hair type, you can easily maintain that salon-style sleekness at home.
Baby Tress Edge Styler
- Pointed tip to section hair
- Has a travel cap
- Easy to clean
- Nothing to note at this time
Gerestant recommends the Baby Tress’ Edge Style as her all-time favorite edge tool. “I should work for them,” she says. “It’s just perfectly shaped.” It features three tools: a comb for detangling and separating your edges, a natural boar bristle brush for shaping and a fine-tooth comb for any intricate designs or details.
Eco Gel
- Leaves hair flexible
- Adds shine
- Available in many sizes
- Can be messy
Eco is a preferred name in the world of gels and edge controls, however, it’s not always the best option for thicker hair types due to its looser consistency, according to Gerestant. While heavier creams and butters may be more successful at laying coarser edges, Eco provides just enough hold to easily tame looser curls, she says. This olive oil-based formula also works to hydrate and lock in moisture to your hair, according to the brand.
The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam
- Can help define curls
- Doesn’t flake
- Strengthens hair
- Not the most moisturizing
Rather than using a gel, Young opts for a mousse texture to tame her edges and uses this option from The Doux to achieve a slicked but curly look. “It makes it look more organic than just like a regular gel that sticks to your hair and skin,” she says.
Got2B Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Gel
- Many sizes in bundle
- Doesn’t flake
- Non-sticky
- May leave a residue
After struggling to find an edge control that actually worked and being recommended this gel by her stylist, it is now one of the only products NBC Select associate SEO editor Ashley Morris uses when her hair is braided. “This gel stays on through everything, and I really mean everything — the gym, the office, concerts, dates, everything,” she says. “It even holds my edges in place overnight when I forget to wash it out after a busy day.”
Mizani Coconut Soufflé
- Hydrating formula
- Prevents breakage
- Whipped texture
- Nothing to note at this time
When Challenger first started styling Archer’s hair, she recommended this lightweight, moisturizing Mizani Soufflé to help keep her silk presses healthy. Over time, after noticing its ability to slick down her hair without the sticky consistency of a gel, she started using it as an edge control. “After applying a few dots to my edges and brushing them down, I tie the perimeter of my head with a silk scarf for a few minutes to help the hair set,” she says. “Then, I enjoy my neat edges for the rest of the day.”
Maintaining Your Ends
With a fully-braided style like traditional knotless braids, your stylist will seal the braids by dipping them in boiling hot water. However, when experimenting with partially-braided styles like bohemian braids or french curls, you’ll need to be more proactive about keeping your ends looking as fresh as they did on styling day. Below are some products to help you detangle and add sheen.
Innersense Styling Foam
- Strengthens hair
- Locks in moisture
- Reduces split ends
- Higher price point
“I prefer human hair for loose pieces on the ends because it’s easier to detangle them,” says Challenger. She recommends tackling any human hair styles with this curl foam, which not only promises to separate and smooth your ends, but also contains a pequi oil blend that smooths frizz, according to the brand. Challenger recommends applying the product to your hair and then using a wide-tooth comb to work it through the strands.
Creme Of Nature Replenishing Sheen Spray
- Moisturizing
- Safe for daily use
- Reduces damage
- Not in larger size options
“Everyone is chasing shine,” says Gerestant. She recommends this Creme of Nature option, which adds gloss while remaining lightweight and formaldehyde-free. “It’s also a scent that I love,” she says.
Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner
- Lightweight spray
- Improves manageability
- Adds shine
- Higher price point
This leave-in conditioner is great for your ends because it has ingredients that won’t build up on the hair which means as you have the braids in, your hair is able to breathe. This is important because if you keep layering products more and more, the hair will dehydrate and become more brittle and prone to breakage, says Young. This leave-in is water-based so your hair will be able to pull in the water in the atmosphere to keep your hair hydrated and protected, she says.
FHI Heat Unbrush Wet & Dry Vented Detangling Hair Brush
- Easy to use
- Reduces breakage
- Available in many colors
- Nothing to note at this time
This summer, Archer has been wearing braids with straight human hair at the ends, so they get tangled easily and require more routine maintenance than typical knotless or box braids. “To maintain the ends of my hair, I use this brush and some water to really help keep my hair manageable and styled to my liking,” Archer says. “The brush glides through all of the strands really nicely without pulling or tugging, plus the open back design makes it easy to clean afterward.”
Styling
When it comes to styling your braids, you can certainly let your hairstylist’s work shine and leave them loose throughout the summer. However, if you’re wanting to pull your hair up on a particularly hot day, during a workout or just to spruce up your look, there are plenty of styling accessories to choose from.
Ponytails and buns are great up-do options for braids, but pulling your hair back too often can lead to issues like traction alopecia and hair loss, says Gerestant. To combat this, she strongly recommends changing up your styling methods daily and refraining from sleeping in tight styles.
Blissy Skinny Scrunchies
- Doesn’t damage hair
- Minimizes frizz
- Available in many sizes
- Higher price point
“I love satin-lined mini scrunchies for ponytails,” says Challenger. These thin hair ties, from NBC Select-favorite brand Blissy, come in a convenient three-pack and in a variety of colors, including bright and neutral options. They’re also made from the same 100% mulberry silk that the brand uses for its popular pillow cases.
Lululemon Large Claw Clip
- Doesn’t snag or pull
- Not very large
When it comes to the ever-popular claw clips, Challenger gives them the green light, but recommends avoiding “smaller, metal ones as they can snag your braids.” Archer loves this large option from Lululemon for half-up half-down styles as it’s large enough to keep everything secure, and has thicker, rounder teeth that don’t irritate her scalp.
Sleep
Friction throughout the night leads to frizz and, thus, quickens the deterioration of protective styles — making it essential to prepare your hair before getting a good night’s rest, according to Gerestant. Below are some products that will help you wake up with neat, tangle-free braids.
Parade Scarf
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Not many options
One of the first things coily-haired kids are taught is to use a bonnet to protect your hair while you sleep, says Archer. However, your hair is still loose underneath a bonnet and, as a result, is subject to friction and frizz, says Gerestant. Instead, she recommends wrapping your braids as you would a silk press. “[Start by] taking your hair down the middle, gathering the braids, and wrapping [them] to the shape of your head in one direction,” she says. Then, add pins where they crisscross and secure with a scarf. Archer initially purchased this one from Parade to wear as a bandana, but now uses it to protect her hair nightly.
Slip Pillowcase
- Durable
- Zipper closure
- Available in many colors
- Higher price point
If you’re too tired to wrap up your braids, sleeping on a silk pillowcase is the next best option, according to Gerestant. This NBC Select Wellness Awards winner is a personal favorite of Archer, as it eliminates any friction throughout the night and allows her to start the day with less frizz.
Yanibest Satin Bonnet
- Breathable
- Adjustable wrap
- Available in many colors
- Can slip easily if not tight
If you prefer bonnets, consider this option, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 6,500 reviews on Amazon. After being in the industry for 12 years, Young has seen firsthand the problems that occur when wearing a bonnet with the headband piece that isn’t a satin, silk or similar material. “I’ve seen a lot of women that come in with their hair lines broken off, because the bond that they’re using is cotton,” she says. “So you definitely want to make sure that the bonnet you use has an elastic band that is satin, so it won’t rub and make your hair break off.”
Take Down
Our experts agree: If there’s one thing you need when taking down your braids, it’s patience. “A lot of damage and breakage happens during take down,” says Gerestant. People are eager to get the process over with, making their approach too rough.
When you’re taking on the grueling task at home, “set up your snacks and a marathon of your favorite show to keep yourself motivated,” says Challenger. Gerestant suggests starting by filling a spray bottle with water and your favorite conditioner. As you undo each braid, spray the mixture directly onto any knots and work it through with your fingers. This simple step will make all the difference when you’re ready to detangle. Or, consider buying a detangling spray or cream and applying it on to dry hair — dry hair is best because if the hair is already wet, it can create a mess and prolong the process of taking out your braids, says Young.
Devacurl Wash Day Wonder
- Sulfate and silicone-free
- Warm, tropical scent
- Available in many sizes
- Higher price point
Young loves this product from Devacurl because it’s a super slippery detangling serum that helps detangle hair after taking braids out. Although she recommends detangling dry hair, you can also use this on wet curls either in or out of the shower, starting at the ends and working your way up, according to the brand.
Kazmaleje Paddle Comb
- Easy to clean
- Doesn’t snag or pull
- Designed for control
- Nothing to note at this time
“Growing up, detangling my hair post-braids was always a painful, tear-filled experience,” says Archer. Learning the importance of adding water, as Gerestant outlined above, has made a huge difference in her adult life, but it’s this paddle comb from Kazmaleje that’s been her holy grail. Challenger highly recommends this brush as it’s “amazing for getting out big tangles without excessive pulling,” she says. The Kazmaleje paddle also doubles as a fine-tooth comb that can help you section your hair while detangling, and features a curved handle that molds to your hand’s natural shape — making an uncomfortable process a bit more bearable.
Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner
- Moisturizing
- Light, fresh scent
- Can rinse or leave in
- Not in pump packaging
When it comes to detangling hair right after removing braids, Young says this is one of the best detanglers she has ever used and suggests using this on dry hair. The creamy leave-in smooths the hair cuticle, which allows it to remove any knots and tangles easily, according to the brand.
Related
What type of braiding hair should I use?
This mostly depends on your personal preference, but there are a few things you should consider.
- Hypoallergenic options. Many people will buy a few packs of hair at their local beauty supply store. This is okay, however, Young recommends choosing hypoallergenic options to prevent scalp irritation.
- Texture. She also suggests looking at the texture of the hair you’re buying to ensure it aligns with the end result you desire. “For me, I don’t get straight braiding hair because I want my braids to look a little more textured,” she says. “I get hair that kind of reflects what my own texture looks like.”
- Weight. You’ll also want to pay attention to the weight of the hair. “People just have to be mindful of how heavy the braids are, so that they will not get traction alopecia because unfortunately, it is permanent,” Young says. “So when that hair is pulled out of the root, the hair follicle scars over and hair can’t grow from that follicle anymore. Braids are great, I wear braids, too. You just have to make sure that you’re taking it easy on your scalp.”
- Amount. The amount of hair you purchase will depend on the style you want and whether or not you want them to be small, medium or large. For example, if you want boho braids, you’ll potentially want to buy six packs while someone who wants regular knotless braids might opt for four packs, says Young. In her experience, she recommends a minimum of four packs regardless of the desired style.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Kamilah Gerestant, is an accomplished hairstylist and knotless braid expert. Her styling credits include Beyonce’s “Black is King,” “And Just Like That,” and Madonna’s Madame X Tour.
- Jaxcee Challenger is the founder of New York City salon The Coily Collective and has been styling Archer’s hair since 2020.
- Yasmine Young is the owner of Diaspora Salon in Baltimore, Maryland.
Why trust NBC Select?
Mikhaila Archer has been wearing protective styles — including knotless braids to cornrows — for her entire life. In addition to recommending the products that have helped both her braids and her natural hair remain healthy and neat, she interviewed two curly hair care experts for guidance on braid care best practices as well as the products they frequently use at both their salons and in their own routines.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter covering skin care, hair care and gift guides, including recent stories on the best dry shampoos and the best shampoos for damaged hair. For this story, I interviewed a hair care expert, shared her expertise and recommendations, and gathered NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated options aligned with expert guidance.
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