General
Choosing The Right Braided Style For You
By Marquetta Breslin
Jul 11, 2005, 00:22

A fabulous hairstyle is one of the main ways you can get a fresh, exciting new look. Braiding is a popular choice, but you must be careful when choosing a braided style.

There are several braiding styles available. Always choose a braid type that compliments your hair, eye, and skin color. Also, keep in mind the length and the curl of your natural hair before going for braids.

Ideally, you should consult a professional braid artist to create your braided style. Before you choose a stylist, make sure you look through their portfolio of previous work and ask plenty of questions about their process.

Once you've chosen a professional, it's time to choose a style. A few popular braiding types are cornrows, pixie braids, and twists. The pixie braid is great for short hair, while cornrows require at least 2 inches of hair. Cornrows are a timeless, traditional braiding style and are very popular among both men and women.

Always remember, your braiding style must not be painful; pain means too much tension is being placed on the roots, which can be damaging to both your hair and scalp.

A "twist" is a two-stranded hairstyle that is easy to create using your natural hair or synthetic extensions. It's easy to make and requires less maintenance. If you have natural twists without extensions, they can be unraveled to give a spiral effect to straight hair and a bushy look to Afro hair.

To maintain your braid style, remember to keep it clean. Use hair oil and a dry shampoo for braids that are not washable. While sleeping, try to use a satin pillowcase and cover your head with a headscarf to keep your style intact. No matter which style you sport, a dash of sheen spray or moisture mist in the morning will help keep your scalp healthy and your braids looking great.

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