The lovely Solange Knowles
Reader’s Question:
I have twist extensions… How do I keep my hair moisturised?
My Answer:
In my opinion, the best way to moisturize twists (or any other braid) extensions is to use a water-based spritz followed by sealing with an oil. This method allows for sufficient moisture without contributing to meshing, loc-ing, or severe product buildup. Heavier products, especially thick butters, can build up near the roots and facilitate meshing or loc-ing, especially in kinkier strands. If you REALLY want to use them, though, I suggest staying as far away from your roots as possible and only using the butter once or twice between washes.
That being said, what are some good spritzes and oils to use? Well, let us start with the oils. Light and somewhat odorless oils, such as grapeseed and jojoba, are my top suggestions. Coconut oil may be used, but beware that your extensions will smell of the oil (and that may or may not be okay, depending on how you feel). Olive oil is less odorous but heavy.
Now for the spritzes: A water-based one is a good start. A water- and glycerin-based one may be even better, depending on what your hair likes. I list a few spritz recipes in this post. If you would rather buy one, I suggest looking for those geared towards braids (e.g., African Pride).
Finally, the moisturizing regimen while wearing twist extensions: Spritz anywhere from daily to weekly, depending on what your hair requires. I would not suggest going beyond a week (particularly in the later stages of the wear) because the extensions themselves may be drying. This is especially possible if you used synthetic hair for braiding. As for sealing, that can occur anywhere from every few days to weekly. Sealing daily can attract dirt to the hair quicker than usual thus leading to increased frequency in washing.
Ladies, how do you keep your hair moisturized while rocking extensions?
For my part I only use oils: castor oil, jasmine oil and almond oil. Uusally not at the same time. I used castor oil for the edges (cause my hairline is dry), almond oil to keep my hair healthy and moisturize. Jasmine oil scent is wonderful therefore I use it only one a week to avoir build up!
What do you think?
I don’t use spritzes!!
There are so many braid sprays out there that I never know what to get.They all claim the same thing. This was intresting. When I wa sin High School I used African Pride braid spray and it was not good for my hair, it dried my hair out really quick, so my cousin made me a mixture of Some oil I can’t remember what kind and a little water and a leave in conditioner and that worked a little better for me. But I never used oil to seal, so that is new for me. I have to keep it in mind cause I think I’m going to get some cornrows so my hair can grow out with ot my hands being in it and such.
I wear havana twists in the winter as my protective style. After experimenting with a few spritz recipes and regimens, I’ve found my ideal regimen. Every night before bed, I lightly spritz my hair with plain water, focusing on the roots. I let it dry till its only slightly damp, and then spray on my mix of water, glycerin, jojoba oil, olive oil, and several drops of rosemary E.O. I add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil to the mix a few days before my wash day, to alleviate any itching. I focus spraying this onto my scalp. After it’s dried I put on my satin scarf and head to bed. When needed, I’ll seal with some coconut oil.
I have incredibly thirsty, BSL, 4c hair and I live a very arid climate at high elevation, and this regimen, added in with my protective style, has helped my hair grow like crazy over the winter.
Also, I’m really glad the writer mentioned not using butters on extensions!! I learned this the hard way the first time I put my havana twists in. I coated my strands in a homemade sheabutter/coconut oil mix before putting the twists in and a month later when I took the twists down my strands were locked! I managed to detangle without losing any hair but good God, it took HOURS. Never again. If you’re going to seal with butter, do it on your ends only.
i currently have in havana twists. when you took em up, did your seem as if locked ?
I use aromatherapy oil like castor oil,lavender oil,castor oil and tea tree oil on my hair when I have cane row extensions in it makes hair smells good ,loosen tightness and stops itching
GOOD ADVICE I PUT ALOE VERA JUICE IN MY SPRITZ AND FOR EXTRA MOISTER I SEAT UNDER HAIR STEAMER. NO OILS FOR ME MY BRAIDS ARE WAY TO LONG AND THICK TO BE TRYING THAT
Never rocked extensions before but I’m planning on getting some Patra/Janet Jackson ‘Poetic Justice’ braids this winter.
My hair gets greasy easily so I was thinking some aloe vera juice/ water mix at night OR the Shea Moisture curl & shine mist.
If your hair gets greasy easily you might want to try just plain water spritzes out first, to see if that’s enough. If your hair gets greasy easily, it can be more time consuming properly cleaning it on wash day when you add other products to it while in extensions, particularly because greasy hair attracts lint and debris. That plus extensions could be a major aggravation for you and I wouldn’t want a negative first time experience with extensions to deter you from experimenting more with them. Hope that helps! :)
Awesome post! And perfect timing.
I am currently wearing kinky twists and I moisturize every few days with the Infusium 23 Pro-vitamin Leave-in Hair Treatment Moisturizing Formula. It has glycerin and amino acids, leaving my hair soft with a protein boost for strength.
I don’t seal with oil because I have acne-prone skin. I’m in the middle of researching oils and butters that won’t break me out. My kinky hair loves Shea butter, but my skin HATES it. I also get bad reactions from coconut oil. No more Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie or Cantu Leave- in for me :( I read the post on alternatives to Shea butter and will try Mango butter once I take my extensions out.
I have a request. Can we have a post offering tips for natural haired women with acne-prone skin?
I agree with Mya. My HAIR and scalp love certain products, but my skin, on the other hand, has a FIT. Case in point: pure extra virgin olive oil. I only use it on my scalp when I notice it’s irritated or dry, but if just a DROP falls onto my face, it’s a done deal. My face becomes extremely irritated and dry. Unfortunately, pure coconut does the same thing. So an article, or two, on this would be very helpful.
Thanks for this post bglh! I just got yarn braids so this is right on time! :) I just mix water and grapeseed oil together in a bottle, shake it up, and then spritz.. My only concern is my scalp, because I get dandruff pretty bad. It also starts to itch, so I know I need tea tree oil, but any suggestions for the dandruff?
It helps me when I use diluted apple cider vinegar on my scalp before I shampoo. Not only does it help with flaky scalp, but it also helps with product buildup that can attribute to itchy scalp and odor. I just spray it on and massage it as if I am shampooing my hair then let it sit for about ten minutes. Then I shampoo normally.
Thank you! I will try this Wednesday!
Grapeseed oil is actually great for the scalp if massaged in the scalp it works wonders for dandruff
I am transitioning and I am wearing my third set of Senegalese twists. So far I have managed to not suffer any major damage to my hair by incorporating the following: leaving my hair uncovered while showering, spritzing with Pantene detangling spray about 3-4 times per week, sealing with either sweet almond, olive, or Eden Body Works peppermint jojoba oil mix, and wrapping my hair in satin scarf at bedtime. The pantene spray has castor oil in it. I’m not sure if the creamy products attributed to matting for me, but they definitely caused icky buildup which is why I no longer use them on my twists.
Pantene detangling spray??? This is very interesting. Does it help with keeping your hair from locking up?
I use Oyin Frank Juice when wearing my kinky twists and found that to do wonders. When I took my twists down my hair was incredibly moisturizered and I didn’t even seal! I would spray some oil sheen mix for shine purposes but that’s it.
When i were braids my hair scrach me so bad i want to buy top brass for the dandruff, but what to buy to keep it soft and shining?
Normally I use almond oil. I heard that it was incredibly good for hair health and it seems to be working well. I do think sometimes it depends on the person though, because friend’s recommendations don’t always come through.
I’ve used Taliah Waajid’s Protective Mist Bodifier for years. It’s cheap, it doesn’t build up, and the smell doesn’t “turn,” if you know what I mean (If you used African Pride, you definitely know LOL)
Great Post I’m glad to see that I have been doing the right things with extensions/kinky twists
Using Glycerine on braids extensions can be a little tricky. Even without braids, using glycerine more than once a week can leave quite a bit of build-up on hair and attract dust (especially in hot climates). There would have to be very little glycerine added to the water-based mix.
I have been using only water and a light oil (like coconut oil) to moisturise my braids and now that I am actually in the process of removing my braids after 6 weeks, my hair is incredibly moisturised and strong. Maybe it is because the oil is great at helping hair to retain it’s natural protein.
I use a Rosewater and glycerin water spray I bought at Whole Foods then I use coconut oil every other day at night. If you live in a cold climate do NOT put pure coconut oil on before you leave the house because it will solidify and be white chunks in your hair.
I use a mix of water, oil (almond or olive) and aloe vera gel. Last time I used 1 part oil, one part aloe vera and 5 parts water. I put it in a spray bottle and spray my roots and edges every day. I also clean my scalp with dilute ACV on a cotton ball once a week or whenever it starts itching. For the 1st time in years, I never get dandruff anymore. My hair is also growing very fast latey. After cleansing my scalp, I’ve been using warm shea butter/coconut oil on my scalp. My hair loves it. But I agree that my ends seem locked when I take them out. So from now on, I’ll stop using the shea butter.
My comment sounds super simple compared to everyone else. I just spray Carols Daughter BLACK VANILLA or TUI (MOISTURIZING) leave-in conditioner. When I wear my hair in Twist-Style Individuals with synthetic hair. I have a couple of pics on Instagram. Just look up Meekhills.
how often should i use a blow dryer for a type 4b/4c hair after deep conditioning and also what is the correct way to use ACV to remove dandruff?