If you need a heavy-duty cleanse, use a light water-based shampoo, like the Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Shampoo. The nozzle tip “gives you more control over where the shampoo goes,” says T. Cooper, a hairstylist in New York City.
Treat your braids to some hot water
You can also revive your braids with a little hot water. Susan Oludele, a braider in New York and Los Angeles, recommends boiling a pot of water, then dipping a towel into it. Using tongs, remove the towel from the pot and let it cool enough so that it’s still very warm, but not too hot to touch.
Then lay the towel on top of your braided hair. The hot water will tamp down the frizz, immediately giving your braids a fresher look. While your braids are still slightly damp, rub a lightweight oil between your palms and smooth it all over your hair. This will lock in moisture and help lay down any remaining stubborn, frizzy hairs sticking up from your braids. Don’t already have a go-to oil? We recommend the Ceremonia Guava Gloss Drops, which has a subtle tropical scent and leaves hair with a light sheen.
Oludele suggests following with edge control to touch up your hairline. We like the Shea Moisture Define + Edge Gel. The alcohol-free formula is gentle on baby hairs, while effectively slicking them down all day. On the other hand, Brendnetta Ashley, a hairstylist in San Fransisco, prefers to use a curl cream, which is gentler on hair than regular edge gels and pomades.
The Camille Rose Guava Slip Whipped Souffle is great is you prefer softer hold on your edges. It’s a thick cream that doubles as a pomade and can be used for everything from twist-outs to lightly slicking down your edges.
