10 Tips & Tricks For Better DIY Braids & To Help Prepare Natural Hair for Protectivestyles

DIY means DO IT YOURSELF

For 4 years now, I have been styling my hair myself. I have worn both kinky twists and box braids and all my protective styles have been waist length. Also, every time I do it, I find more ways to make my experience better. So, here are a 10 tips and tricks for those who are thinking of self braiding or for those who are already experienced.

1. Before you attempt to DIY box braids, kinky twists or any protective style, make sure to DEEP CONDITION your natural hair. You may deep condition for 15-30 minutes or use a steamer to help quicken the process.
2. Always set your protective styles on freshly washed hair. This makes sure that your scalp is clean and neat. (You don’t want your box braids or kinky twists looking dirty before you can wear them) 
3. Use light products to prep your hair. You don’t want your hair weighed down with products before you install your protective style. Remember, you may keep the protective style in for weeks and starting with heavy products will attract dust and lint making the hair dirty and looking old.
4. Always detangle your hair completely before installing a protective style. This prevents shed hair from being mixed and knotted with your new growth.
5. You can stretch your natural hair in different ways. Mostly, I use African Threading but if you choose to blow out your hair prior to installing your protective style, use the lowest setting on your blow dryer and make sure to apply heat protectant.
6. You can choose to section your hair into single parts and twist for convenience. Especially if you plan on self braiding on a different day. This really helps to shorten the time it takes to create each neat part before using attachments.
7. When braiding or twisting with an attachment, make the part where the ends of your hair meet the attachment tighter, in order to prevent your hair strands from sticking out.
8. Trim your ends if necessary. I have made it a habit to trim half an inch off my ends before I DIY braid. This helps to prevent tangles under braids and also blends my ends easily.
9. When dipping your kanekalon attachments into hot water, be aware of where your hair stops. Dipping both your hair and the attachment into very hot water can be damaging to your natural hair.
10. Have all your braiding tools ready before self braiding. Rat tail comb, mirror and a light moisturizer will do.

If you need a more visual help, you can watch how I make my DIY kinky twists in the video below. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HEAMMJ9T4Y

Do you have more tips? Share below!

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