Protecting Your Protective Style
Don't get tricked into thinking that merely wearing a protective style is enough to reach your hair goals. I tend to
wear protective styles in the summer. Protective styles are any style that protects your natural hair from the stress of daily styling. Most protective hairstyles include braids. Whether they are freestyle braids,
box braids, feed-in braids, a
sew-in weave, or Senegalese twists, a protective style is meant to allow your hair to relax for a period. I remember when I went through my first season of protective styles. I had worn box braids for a month. Then a crochet styles for a month. Then, I wore a sew-in for the final month. I thought that having my natural hair braided up and my ends protected for a season that the period of rest from daily styling would yield beautifully grown out hair. Boy, was I wrong! I would have been on the right track had I taken better care of my hair in its protective style. While I made sure to shampoo and
moisturized my hair regularly, I failed to apply a leave-in conditioner to my hair. When your hair is in a protective style, it's easy for it to become dry and brittle. Sometimes when our hair is in a protected hairstyle, we forget that it still needs a little TLC. One of the best ways to get long-term nourishment to your hair while it's in a protective style is with a leave-in conditioner. Leave-in conditioners come in many forms. The last thing you want in your protective style is
product buildup. That's why using a leave-in conditioner mist is the best option for braids and twists.
What is a Leave-In Conditioner?
Leave-in conditioner doesn't mean that you skip rinsing out your regular conditioner. A leave-in conditioner is a hair product that is created to stay in your hair and deliver long-term nourishment. The
best leave in conditioners have the same properties as rinse-out conditioners, deep conditioners and also conditioning treatments. Leave-in conditioners can be both hydrating and protein-rich and can also offer benefits such as heat protection, hair vitamins, and protection from the outdoor elements. Let's take a look at some of the best leave-in conditioning mists for your protective braids and twists.
Macadamia Professional Weightless Moisture Conditioning Mist
This conditioning mist delivers precisely what it promises. The weightless mist will leave your hair nourished, smelling amazing, and without an ounce of residue. A significant benefit of this leave-in product is that it helps prevent breakage. Breakage can be a considerable setback when you are wearing a protective style. This mists' Macadamia and Argan oil blend helps to fortify your hair against environmental damage as well. Lastly, this product is color safe, so you don't have to worry about your color bleeding with use of this product.
Carol's Daughter Almond Milk Leave-In Conditioner
This
leave-in conditioning mist is sulfate free and boasts reconstructing properties. This leave-in mist has almond milk, so it helps revive your hairs natural luster and shine. This leave-in mist is excellent for use on wet and dry hair, and the sunflower oil in the ingredients help promote strength and moisture back into the hair. The four-star rated product is lightweight and will not leave residue on your twists and braids. This product is excellent as a regular leave-in or used as a refresher as your protective style gets old and dull.
Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Leave-In Treatment
Shea Moisture put as many good things in one bottle that they could fit. This
leave-in treatment will leave your braids and twists feeling fresh and revived. The coconut oil and vitamin E ingredients nourish your hair. It's also created with Triglycerides to help your hair retain its moisture. This mist also has Acacia Senegal that helps with your hairs flexibility and elasticity. Two critical factors in keeping your hair healthy during a protective style.
Cantu Hydrating Leave-In Conditioning Mist
Cantu is a tried and true product in the natural hair community. Many with natural hair use Cantu products in their daily hair care regimen but don't put it away during your protective phase. This
leave-in mist is great for adding shine and hydrating your hair. This product is paraben-free, dye-free, and helps promote hair strength. This product has a great scent, and reviewers stated that their hair felt much softer after use.
Renpure Coconut Water Mist Leave-In Treatment
This product is a staple among those with dreadlocks. Reviews brag that this product is suitable for dry, brittle hair and those with previous damage. If you're wearing a protective style to help repair your hair, then it might be worth picking up a bottle of this leave-in conditioner.
Coconut water makes this leave-in product is very hydrating to your hair. This leave-in mist also protects from heat and environmental damage. A little goes a long way with this product. Don't apply too much or else you will end up with a sticky film on your hair. Reviewers suggest experimenting until you find the amount that is compatible with the weight of your hair.
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Leave-In Conditioning Mist
This conditioning mist spray moisturizes and quenches dull, thirsty, tangled tresses and protects hair prior to heat styling or tension styling. It is rich with protein and formulated with coconut oil for hydration, keratin for strength, and argan oil for softening. Alba's mist is the perfect pick-me-up for dried follicles especially when your hair goes through the constant pulling with twists and braids.
Creme of Nature Strength and Shine Leave-In Conditioner with Argan Oil
Another strength improver, the Creme of Nature conditioner mist has a unique two-phase formula that combines Argan Oil liquid shine and a strengthening protein compound. These two components improve hair strength and protect against damage. The main key benefits of this product is its power to thoroughly moisturize hair while adding shine. Is it true moisturization if it doesn't add shine? The moisture will also help in benefits of detangling.
Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner
Weightless and fortifying, this gem from Carol's Daughter will have your hair invincible to breakage and adds great strength. This conditioner is great for replenishing brittle hair. There's a blend of wheat protein and pro-vitamin B5 that protects your hair for the times of pulling and tension. It is made with natural moisturizers versus those synthetic silicones for true hydration that won't rinse away and can be used every day with no fear of heavy weighed-down hair. Did we mention that it doesn't have any silicones, parabens, mineral oil, artificial colors, or petroleum? It's a total win.
Palmers Manuka Flower Honey Leave-In Conditioner
Before we dive into the details of this product, let's learn a little bit more about its essential main ingredient, manuka honey. Because honey seals in moisture, it gives a great advantage for hair when it comes to breakage and dryness. Manuka honey is also rich in antioxidants which helps with any scalp issues you could possibly experience when getting braids or twists. The hair experts at Palmers recognize the endless benefits of manuka honey and decided to incorporate it into their leave-in conditioner. With the help of this anti-bacterial ingredient, this leave-in conditioner definitely helps promote hair health and protection. Did we mention it's color safe?
ApHogee Curlific! Moisture Rich Leave-In
The key component that is simply stated in the name of this product is moisture! Moisture is essential when wearing braids or twists as especially as the style lasts over a long period of time. The moisture-rich leave-in conditioner constructed by the hair experts at ApHogee solves multiple hair problems we may experience. It makes styling and manipulation super easy not just the way you can apply because of the spray bottle but more so because of it's content. Being very lightweight and with its ingredient list are major things to consider when choosing the right leave-in conditioner. If you're in search of a fairly priced product that actually works, look no further!
As I Am CocoShea Moisturizer Hair Spray
Once again, we've found a product that has the most prominent ingredient listed first; water! The As I Am CocoShea Spray stands behind a promise to moisturize, seal and protect your hair and scalp. What else or more could you want when it comes to a protective style like braids and twists? As stated in various reviews, the spray is great for adding shine for those days when your protective style starts to get a bit dull. But it may not be the greatest option when wanting
daily moisture.
Curls Lavish Curls Moisturizer
While rocking various protective styles like braids and twists, you'll always need a pickup. A product that will restore, rejuvenate, and most importantly rehydrate your hair. We know that protective styles are great for protection but when we fail to maintain our natural hair properly, things can go left. Thanks to the creators at CURLS we have the perfect moisturizing leave-in conditioner that will bring the right amount of lavish needed. The ingredients included are all natural which makes them very refreshing. No sulfates, silicones, parabens, mineral oil or petroleum oil which weigh down the hair. All in all, the product is efficient in doing its job!
CURLS Quenched Curls Moisturizer
Davines Oi Multi-Benefit Beauty Treatment All In One Milk
Oyin Handmade Juices & Berries
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist
Not just meant for curls but to prevent frizz period, you can rest assured of the problem when using SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist. This gentle styling product provides a soft hold while providing intense moisturization that tames stray flyaways and gives your hair an amazing shine! This mist is gentle enough to be used on dry, sensitive hair which is especially common with protective styles. It contains natural ingredients, such as coconut and Neem Oil that essentially creates moisture barriers while protecting and repairing damaged hair or what could be potentially damaged. Certified organic Shea Butter provides nourishing hydration to reduce breakage and improve hair elasticity. Did we also mention it’s also amazing for your scalp! It leaves your scalp refreshed and moisturized, without causing build-up.
Consistency is Key
There are many great products on the market to use as your leave-in conditioner. Regardless of the products you use, it's important to remember that consistency is key to reaching your hair goals. The last thing you want is to allow your hair to dry out during your protective style and ultimately break off when you take it down. A protective hairstyle is not a forget and go type of hairstyle. Take the time to
create a regimen where you regularly cleanse, conditioner, moisturize and apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair. Have you tried any of these leave-in conditioning mists on your braids or twists? What is your go-to leave-in mist for your hair? Don't forget to Like our Facebook Page, Private Label Extensions, for hair care tips, trends, and inspiration!
