If you read the last post on the blog then you probably noticed that it was more beauty-related. Moving forward, there’ll be more beauty posts on the blog. When I launched the blog in 2017, I used to write a lot of beauty content (reviews, tips, launches etc.) so I can’t wait to go back to where it all started. Anyone who knows me will know how obsessed I am with all things skincare and makeup. I can’t wait to share everything I’ve learnt through the years (in a personal and professional capacity) with you all. Before we get into today’s post, if there is anything beauty or lifestyle-related that you’d like to see on the blog, do let me know in the comments.
In this post, I’m going to be talking about maintaining curly crochet braids. I’m a longtime fan of curly crochet braids – I’ve been wearing them for years. As a protective style enthusiast, they’ve always been a go-to for me because of how easy they are to install. Depending on the stylist you go to, it can take just under two hours to install crochet braids, however it can take some time to learn how to maintain them. The key to maintaining curly crochet braids lies in your technique. There are little things you can do to keep your hair looking fresher for longer. Here are some of my tips on how to maintain curly crochet braids.
Sectioning your curly crochet braids – The most important thing you will need to do if you wear curly crochet braids is section your hair regularly to remove any matting, tangling or flyaways. If you aren’t prepared to do this everyday or every other day, then don’t get curly crochet braids. Not sectioning your hair will cause it to matt and tangle. The easiest way to section your crochet braids is by your cornrow pattern. I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for years and the braiding pattern she uses is perfect. When it’s time for me to section my curly crochet braids or oil my scalp, I know exactly how to navigate the style. Choosing a braider who keeps things simple with your cornrows is a must whether you’re getting crochet braids or a weave – you want to be able to tend to your natural hair.
As you section your hair in accordance with the cornrow pattern, use a scissors or twinkie to remove any flyaways or matted hair and if any curls have started to fuse together, you can just pull them gently and the pattern should return to how it was before. If your curly crochet braids have matted to a point of no return in some places (this tends to happen at the back first), you can cut them or remove them if you’ve used human hair. Lastly, a big part of maintaining any protective style lies in how you look after your hair at night. Always wrap your crochet braids at night. Silk scarves or bonnets are fine. If you’re using a bonnet to wrap your hair at night, opt for one with a bit of stretch.
Less is more – If you’re wearing curly crochet braids, adopting a less is more approach is what will make them last longer. When I got my curly crochet braids installed last month, my hairdresser applied some leave-in conditioner on the curls and that is the only time leave-in conditioner has touched my hair. Leave-in conditioner can make synthetic hair matt quicker than anything, so what I’ve been doing whenever my crochet curls need a pick-me-up is applying some sheen spray. Any sheen spray from your local hair shop will do. Sheen sprays are really good for reviving hair whenever it’s starting to lose its shine and it’s a much better option than using leave-in conditioner or mousse. Something else to keep in mind is how often you manipulate your crochet curls. I’ve had mine in for almost four weeks and the only time I tie them up is when I’m cleaning or cooking. I like to keep them down as much as I possibly can so my hair can breathe a little. Don’t get me wrong, I love an updo as a styling option but hair health always takes priority. If you are planning to tie your curly crochet braids up, don’t tie them too tight or opt for a half up-half down style.
Remove pieces of hair if/when it starts to look/feel heavy – Depending on the number of packs you use when installing crochet braids, it might start to look/feel heavy after a few weeks. The easiest way to deal with this is to remove pieces of hair, ideally towards the middle and the side so it’s not visible. If you’re using curly crochet braids that are synthetic, then do keep in mind that the curls will start to lose their pattern in some places, so just remove these pieces of hair when they do. I can’t comment on human hair because I’ve never used it but removing a few pieces of hair here and there is the way to go. Something else you can do if your cornrows are starting to get a little loose is to remove a braid in that area and combine it with the cornrow above – this will be helpful for those who want to keep their crochet braids in for longer. You can also remove a few braids at the side towards the front of your hair to reduce any tension. Remember: protective styles are meant to enhance hair health, not compromise it.
Use colour 1 or 1B hair – Unless you’re using human curly crochet hair, stick to the darkest colours – so 1, 1B or maybe 2 if your maintenance skills are top tier. Colour 1 and 1B will hide a multitude of mishaps and take the pressure out of having to section your hair every single day. I have curly crochet braids installed at the moment (Colour 1) and I section them every other day. The lighter the colour of your synthetic curly crochet braids, the more maintaining you will need to do. Everyone is different but with good maintenance, crochet braids in other colours can be kept in for around 3 weeks, so if you are looking for a style that you don’t plan to keep in for too long, then it may be a good option for you. Braiding hair is different because it’s braided so it’s tucked away – but you might have one or two flyaways depending on the brand you use. When it comes to maintaining crochet braids, I know that some crochet wearers use fabric conditioner to keep their crochet braids looking good but I’ve never done this. As someone who has been wearing curly crochet braids for a really long time, less is more. So, if you’re thinking about wearing curly crochet braids for the first time, colour 1 or 1B is the way to go.
Familiarise yourself with the best brands for curly crochet hair – If you’re in the UK, then you’ll know that we’re in the midst of a cozzie-livs (cost of living crisis) and there’s nothing worse than installing crochet braids only to realise that they weren’t good quality a few days later. Curly crochet hair that is good quality should last for a few weeks if it is maintained well. There are so many options to choose from and many factors to take into consideration before you decide which brand and curl type to go for. Speaking from experience, FreeTress and Outre are the G.O.A.T’s when it comes to curly crochet hair. Another brand which I like and currently have installed at the moment is Urban Sassy from Feme. It does require a fair amount of maintenance (currently maintaining it every other day) but I’m obsessed with the curl pattern and I receive lots of compliments whenever I wear this hair. Personally, I prefer more of a defined curl – loose and wavy curl patterns don’t suit me as much.
Leave a Reply