The pre-braid wash, protein-moisture balance, blow-out temperature and scalp prep that decide whether your protective style lasts three weeks or six.

The style that lasts six weeks is decided the night before your appointment, not during it. Here is the prep protocol we use before every long-term braid or twist install.

Two nights out — clarify

Clarifying shampoo, focus at the scalp. No build-up means the braid or twist grips clean strand, not product residue.

The night before — protein + deep condition

Light protein treatment for 10 minutes, rinse, follow with a moisturizing deep conditioner under a plastic cap and low heat for 25 minutes. Balance is the goal.

The blow-out

Blow-dry on medium heat with a heat protectant. Fully stretched, but not silk-pressed. Over-straight hair does not grip a braid.

Scalp preparation

A light scalp oil (rosemary + jojoba) massaged in the night before. Avoid heavy grease at the roots on install day.

The takeaways

• Clarify. Protein. Moisture. Stretch. In that order.
• The blow-out should be stretched, not straightened.
• Scalp oil the night before, not the morning of.