What To Put On Your Hair Before Braids? The Best Products On The Market!

If you’re thinking of getting your hair braided but aren’t sure what products you should be using to prep your natural hair, then I have just the thing for you!

Before getting your hair braided, you need to;

Apply a protein treatment such as Moisture Manuka by Shea to prepare hair (Start at-least 2 weeks before.)
Deep condition your hair with a hair mask such as Arvazallia’s Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask to lock moisture (At-least a few days before.)
Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo such as Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo (At-least a few days before.)

Keep reading to learn how to do these treatments before braiding and the best products you can use.

1. Apply a Protein Treatment Before Braiding (Plus Best Products)

Doing a protein treatment before braiding your hair is crucial as protein (keratin) is the building block of hair, so if you want your hair to withstand the strain and weight of braids, you need a protein treatment to strengthen it.

The best way to apply a protein treatment before braiding your hair is to use the ApHogee Serious Hair Care Double Bundle from Amazon for $21.95 on clean, semi-dry hair. You simply need to apply the treatment to your hair, avoiding your scalp, and let it sit on your hair for 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing it off.

Keep reading to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your protein treatments!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfrJs6bfZGo

HOW I PREP MY NATURAL HAIR BEFORE BRAIDING

How To Apply A Protein Treatment The Right Way:

Step 01: Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo

Step 02: Towel dry your hair so that it’s not dripping but not completely dry

Step 03: Divide your hair into 4 equal sections

Step 04: Apply the protein treatment to each section

Step 05: Focus on the length of your hair and the ends of your hair

Step 06: Work your way up to your roots and gently massage your scalp

Step 07: If you have curly hair then twist your sections once completed to lock moisture in

Step 08: Cover your hair with a shower cap for 30 minutes to an hour

Step 09: Rinse the protein treatment off using lukewarm water

Step 10: Air Dry your hair naturally

Pro Tip: If you are using a strong protein treatment then I highly recommend following the treatment with a deep moisturizing product to protect your hair.

The 5 Best Protein Treatments Before Braiding

	Product Name:	Product Description:	Hair Type:	Price:	Purchase Link:
01.	ApHogee Serious Hair Care Double Bundle	A two-step protein treatment that balances moisture and repairs damaged hair.	Colour-treated hair, dry hair, damaged hair	$21.95	Click Here
02.	Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt	A hydrating strengthening, and repairing protein treatment.	Dry hair, wavy hair	$11.49	Click Here
03.	Arvazallia – Hair Repair Treatment	Improves hair’s elasticity whilst moisturising and revitalising dull hair.	Damaged hair, Dry hair, Brittle hair, thinning hair	$13.99	Click Here
04.	tgin Miracle Repairx Curl Protein Reconstructor	A detoxifying, repairing, cleansing, strengthening protein mask	Dry hair, Curly hair, Damaged hair	$14.99	Click Here
05.	Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3	An intensive repair protein treatment.	Severely damaged hair	$28.00	Click Here

Table Showing The Best Protein Treatments

2. Apply Deep-Conditioning Treatments Before Braiding ( Plus Best Products)

Including a deep-conditioning step in your hair care routine will not only hydrate your hair, but it will add slip to it, making it easier to braid.

The best way to apply a deep-conditioning treatment before braiding your hair is to use the Arvazallia – Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask on wet hair or 80% dry hair. Ensure that you focus your deep-conditioner application on your hair’s ends and your hair’s length, then rinse the product out after 40 minutes.

Take a look at these easy steps to deep-condition your hair:

How To Apply A Deep-Conditioning Treatment The Right Way

Step 01: Use a deep-conditioner that is rich in natural oils such as coconut oil, avocado oil, argan oil, olive oil, etc

Step 02: Ensure that your hair is either wet or 80% dry

Step 03: Divide your hair into 4 equal sections

Step 04: Apply the deep-conditioner to each section

Step 05: Focus on the ends of your hair as they are the driest, then apply some to the length of your hair

Step 06: Avoid applying the product onto your scalp and the roots of your hair

Step 07: If you have curly hair then twist your sections once completed

Step 08: Cover your hair with a shower cap for 20 to 40 minutes

Step 09: Rinse the deep-conditioner out using cool water.

Step 10: Air Dry your hair naturally

The 5 Best Deep-Conditioning Before Braiding Treatments

	Product Name:	Product Description:	Hair Type:	Price:	Purchase Link:
01.	Arvazallia – Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask	A deep-conditioning treatment that restores, strengthens and repairs hair.	Color-treated hair, dry hair, damaged hair	$12.95	Click Here
02.	Shea Moisture Strengthen and Restore Rinse Out Hair Conditioner	Made with 100% pure Jamaican black castor oil with Shea butter, peppermint and apple cider vinegar to repair and protect hair.	Dry hair, curly hair	$8.69	Click Here
03.	Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Hair Mask	Repairs and hydrates curls whilst mending split-ends	Damaged hair, dry hair, curly hair, colour-treated hair	$5.32	Click Here
04.	Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Recipes Fix My Hair	Intensive repair deep-conditioning treatment that improves hair’s overall health, makes hair more manageable	Dry hair, curly hair, wavy hair, Damaged hair	$6.99	Click Here
05.	Aussie Deep Conditioner, with Avocado	A deeply moisturizing and hydrating deep conditioning treatment	Dry hair	$14.82	Click Here

Table Showing The Best Deep-ConditioningTreatments

3. Wash Your Hair Properly Before Braiding (Plus Best Products)

When washing your hair before you get it braided, it’s important to detangle and moisturize your hair and use a clarifying shampoo and suit your hair type.

The best way to wash your hair before getting it braided is to purchase a clarifying and detoxifying shampoo that is right for your hair type then applying the shampoo to completely wet hair, focusing the shampoo application on your scalp and roots. That said, shampoos can dry out your hair, so be sure to use a moisturizing conditioner afterward.

How To Wash Your Hair The Right Way

Step 01: Detangle your hair using a brush or wide-tooth comb

Step 02: Apply hair oils to the ends and length of your hair overnight

Step 03: Wet your hair with lukewarm water

Step 04: Apply a dime-sized amount of shampoo on your hands

Step 05: Lather the shampoo on your scalp and roots of your hair

Step 06: Using the pads of your fingertips, massage the your scalp

Step 07: Throughly rinse all the shampoo out using cool water

Step 08: Follow up with your conditioning routine

Step 09: Towel dry your hair by patting it dry then wrapping a towel around it

Step 10: Allow your hair to air dry completely before applying hair oils or styling it

The Best Clarifying Shampoos Before Braiding

	Product Name:	Product Description:	Hair Type:	Price:	Purchase Link:
01.	Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo	This product removes up to 90% of product build-up.	Oily hair	$5.19	Click Here
02.	MoroccanOil Clarifying Shampoo	Not only cleanses your hair but also restores moisture.	Color-treated hair	$26.00	Click Here
03.	Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo – Lemongrass & Argan	Refreshes and hydrates hair with beneficial oils. This product is also 100% vegan.	All hair types	$9.99	Click Here
04.	SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut Shampoo	Enhances your curl pattern and restores shine and moisture to curly hair.	Curly hair, wavy hair	$7.97	Click Here
05.	Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo	Strengthens and revitalizes hair with nutrients, vitamins and proteins.	Color-treated hair, damaged hair	$18.99	Click Here

Table showing The Best Clarifying Shampoos

Final Thoughts

Now that you know what products to use to prep your hair and how to use these products, you’re well on your hair to ensure that your natural hair is taken care of before you braid it. I can’t wait for you to rock your new braids!