Winter is officially over and I am doing less braided styles, so I am officially ending my braiding challenge. This has been a fun challenge. Through it, I've learned that my hair prefers "wet creams" (almost thick lotion texture) and "wet butters" if the butter is very light and fluffy. Water has to be the first ingredient, and there has to be a good concentration of it.
Over the course of this challenge, I tried at least 16 butters and twisting creams. These were my favorites, starting with my most liked:
1. Embrace The Natural You Twist Truffle Whip2. Silk Dreams Almond Buttercream
3. Jane Carter Curl Defining Cream
4. Camille Rose Aloe Whipped Butter Gel
5. Uncle Funky's Daughter Supercurl Miracle Moisture Cream & Extra Butter combined
I was surprised that only one of my Camille Rose butters made the list, and that the Almond Jai Twisting Butter wasn't at the top after my Camille Rose Battle of the Butters. I also learned through this challenge that the leave-in under my butter can sometimes make a big difference. While Uncle Funky's Daughter Supercurl Miracle Moisture Cream started out as one of my top favorites, it dropped a little as the challenge progressed and after I tried the Uncle Funky's Daughter Extra Butter. Though Supercurl and Extra Butter gave me good sheen and hold, they need to be paired with each other or with another heavy leave-in, like Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter or the Silk Dreams Wheat Germ Butter Conditioner to get moisturized softness. Oyin Hair Dew was too light.
Sometimes, I used Eco Styler gel on top of my cream, but it didn't typically make a difference with the top ranked stylers, except that the gel made my edges and my crown neater. I also tried Aloe Vera gel once, but I my hair did not like that all.
Sometimes, I used Eco Styler gel on top of my cream, but it didn't typically make a difference with the top ranked stylers, except that the gel made my edges and my crown neater. I also tried Aloe Vera gel once, but I my hair did not like that all.
Finally, I learned through this process that, aside from a my wash n' go, my high bun and my low bun, crown braids are my favorite go-to style. It takes about less than 15 minutes for me to do, and it will last for a few days. Also, when my crown braids start to get fuzzy, they create a great braidout with the right products. I just have to be careful because my crown breaks easily. I also have to make sure that I continue to moisturize my hair in the braids because it is easy to just leave them alone for a week without thoroughly moisturizing them, which will dry my hair out by about the third or fourth day. I am pretty sure my laziness with moisturizing my hair in braids is what led to some mild breakage and thinning that I experienced.
What are your favorite stylers for braiding/braid outs? Do you have any go-to braid styles?
