Giving honest feedback is important to ensuring a great hair service!

[@shellyreynolds8948]

Protective styling was never meant to be done all the time. You need to let your hair and scalp breathe. There needs to be time when you allow your hair just to naturally flourish. Not to mention you still have to care for your scalp and hair while in whatever style you wear.

[@jacklyneverage3881]

In the 90's and early 2000's, I used to get a lot of braid extensions. I noticed that the gels, jams, sprays, and mousse were not used as much, if at all. At least not by the people who did my hair. Also, my hair was never blow dried. It was washed and air dried. In fact, I remember some braiders preferred the "kink" to remain in the hair because they said it provided a better grip. Furthermore, I don't remember having a strong negative reaction to the synthetic hair I used. To add, many women with braids used braid spray almost everyday or every other day. So, the braids were constantly moisturized. Some of the issues with braiders back then were some used rubber bands on each braid section before adding the extension hair, others braided too tight, and many women were advised to leave in braids for a long time talking about "dirt grows hair". But, in the end, I noticed many Black women's hair grew like a weed wearing extension braids, especially those that were moisturized, not braided tight, and just had their own hair braided without the gels, jams, and sprays. But, constantly getting them, often led to "balding" edges years down the line.

[@TriinaG]

This!!!!!! I remember hearing that all the time as a kid! Provides a better grip.... now you have to go in with straight hair to be seen. It's wild.

[@jacklyneverage3881]

@@TriinaG Completely wild.

[@Dee-cg4hy]

Narada you are right, several years ago I went to a braider and experienced exactly what you mentioned. It was the first time I went to a braider, and I thought she was going to wash and condition my hair. When I asked her about it she said, "No You Have to Wash Your Hair Prior to Coming In." She went ahead and washed my hair, but told me I would have to wash my hair in advance the next time. The braids were very tight I had a headache that night from the braids being too tight on my scalp. My scalp was hurting for about 4-5 days I put some oil on my scalp and tried to loosen the braids to ease the pain. I never went back to the braider, even though my braids were nice. I didn't like my scalp being in pain. That was my first and last thing getting braid extensions. I wear my hair natural and I've been natural since 2011, and I love my natural hair. My hair is much healthier this way, and this is how it will remain. You are absolutely right about what you said. Thank you for sharing your professional experience, be blessed. 🙏🏽

[@Iamfava0811]

Thank you for caring about people (hair) enough to speak out and willingness to explain so we can understand and take action in a positive way. I appreciate the information.

[@AfrikanHairGod]

You are so welcome!

[@TooBlessedBabyDoll]

I totally agree. I’ve fell in the habit of getting crochet styles as “protective styles” and my hair and hairline has suffered. The dryness is my biggest battle. Currently, I’m taking a break from crochets by wearing twists while home. I’ll throw a wig about twice a week. My hair feels more moisturized after only a few weeks. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and insight. I really appreciate it! ❤💯

[@cameliajones6029]

Beard is looking luscious!

[@SimplyTamz]

Interesting… my friend who I featured on my channel had some braids installed and her scalp was inflamed and she loss a lot of hair during the detangling process. I told her she might have had an allergic reaction to the synthetic weave. I definitely agree with your assessment that the quality of the fake hair has changed.

[@flo9869]

Your beard is looking nice.

[@LashGirlie]

It’s so weird to hear you can install braid extensions on wet hair but it does make sense. I’m in school now , and my teacher preaches to us dryness is the #1 problem with a lot of people hair . She told me back in the 80s they did braids on wet hair as well

[@tobekai]

My hair grew so much after stopping use of extensions.

[@tiffanydaneen]

Lord I just wish I had the money for a flight to come see you and pay for your services I know you’d have my shhh right ! Let me start a go fund me page 😂 jk

[@LethalLemonLime]

4:31 I also used to get my box braids on wet (damp) hair with product in it (that I put in myself) My hair would stay moisturized for months. My braider also left my edges alone and she didn't use jam (but to be fair, she was another student at my university lol). I no longer get braids done now because to me it doesn't make sense to blow out my hair with literally no product and expect it to thrive. It's tempting cause some of these new styles are so cute but I want healthy hair. I noticed a lot of people are in denial about their hair being dry in general but also when taking down braids and they have a ton of breakage, they act like they don't understand what's causing it even when you tell them.

[@KMGME]

I agree with this message. Years ago, I had braids done with extensions. My scalp was on fire within 1 week. Took them out. Got my hair braided later, no extensions, and everything was fine.

[@lesliewit]

I also think a lot of it has to do with the texture of your hair. I have pretty fine hair, and I cannot have box braids or extensions in for longer than a month. I start losing hair at the edges as soon as I get past that 4 week mark. As for all those products I really think stylists should be doing patch tests with a client before they actually put the products in the hair. I recently started using a new product that was raved about by tons of people. Only to have my scalp burning and inflamed for a full week after I used it and an additional week after I shampooed my hair and washed it all out. I thought I was just suffering from some unusual dryness because of the winter time, but as soon as I shampooed my hair my scalp immediately felt better. My scalp is just now healed and I've been terrified that I was going to have bald patches. Ask for a patch test for any products these folks want to use on your hair. And if they're unwilling to do that, you can always go somewhere else. I'd rather lose a booking fee, than lose my hair.

[@maxedout27]

You are NOT wrong about them neglecting their hair when doing these styles, and shout out to that stylist who self reflected and self corrected after receiving your overran message💕💕

[@smharris6732]

You're correct, majority of braiders care for the "neat" look. They focus on the parting, the pattern/style and the neatness of how the braids come out and that's it. When I got synthetic Senegalese twists one time. My scalp was screaming!!! The style and money was the reason I literally struggled to keep the look but when I tell you the pain traveled to my face (pure acne occurred within 7 days). I had to eat that loss and take them out the following week. Now learning better hair care, it's literally just embracing and taking care of my natural hair as it is. Thank you for this video, as always Narada. You're a true Diamond in many of our hair care journey. 🙏🏾 I truly wish you can do a salon tour. I would lovveeee to be a client 🙋🏾‍♀️ #eastcoastcurlygirlNYC/CT

[@sheba653161]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this, but I used to get sew-ins a lot back when it was a big thing and my scalp had a bad reaction to the hair. I remember one day getting an installation and when I say my scalp was itching soooo bad, it was on fire! I haven't gotten a sew-in since then, and that was probably 8 to 10 years ago. I still get braids every once and a while and sometimes I feel like my scalp has a reaction to the hair and probably all the product that's being used. I'm trying to appreciate my hair and do protective using only my hair to see how I feel about that.

[@chelseashamim9148]

My hair lives in medium large twists. Haven't had braid extensions since 2019 ❤

[@anneel8115]

I too believe the hair has changed. There are too many videos of " let me tell you where your hair comes from" from it not to be the case.

[@jdbailey442]

I am glad you had this difficult conversation, Narada. I have never understood neglecting your hair in a protective style or not prepping for one beforehand. Even in my takedown process, I try be careful with detangling and removal of shed hair. I never do braids more than twice in a row and after that take a break for a few months.

[@MsFrankiesMusic]

That’s so true! Your beard is beautiful!!

[@sheba653161]

I'm so happy that you continue to speak out about topics like this that challenge other stylists to take a step back and reevaluate what they're doing. What's even better is them having the insight to realize the issues and make changes. The most important thing is the health of the hair, and some of these stylists are only looking to make money (i.e. the ones who want you to come with your hair stretched so they can quickly finish and move to the next one) instead of showing that they actually care about health (i.e educating us on how to care for it while in a protective style). If my hair falls out, now they're losing a client because I can't go back and get braids like I want if I'm bald lol

[@basiqueopulence888]

There is protective styling and destructive styling. Clients definitely need to be educated on the difference because I’ve observed veteran stylists and salon owners telling clients they can wear a style for FOUR MONTHS ‼️‼️‼️Why you ask? Because the style costs $1200+ and they want the client to feel they’re getting their monies worth OR they just are that ignorant about proper hair care. Le sigh 😔

[@roa3432]

Have your clients used human hair as braid extensions? Has that made a difference in how their scalp and natural hair reacted to the extensions?

[@bbappzz98]

He doesn’t use extensions but I have read that human hair is easier on the scalp, plus you can shampoo it unlike synthetic hair.

[@NuDiva14]

I very recently cut off half of my hair and am going to wear “extensionless” protective styles this entire year to see if that really makes a difference in the condition of my hair. I definitely think the braids did a number on my hair last summer and I had just got it back healthy after I took out crochets that jacked it up in Dec 2022. I know it’s for the best in the long run and I think twists and cornrows look so nice and neat on others but I have to admit I think on me they either make me look kinda matronly or like a 7 year old or like a prison wife. 😩 ah well. It is what it is.

[@pink1237480]

The only protective style i have done are jumbo knotless braids. I cannot leave them in for more than 3 weeks. I do this style only once or twice a year because they hurt. Ive seen girls get braids all throughout the year and will take them out and reinstall them. Thats a lot of damage to the hair idk how they can stand that much pain.

[@MarleneMotivates]

Thank you for sharing this. Because I have always had issues with getting braids because of this extension hair and the tightness. I truly appreciate you saying this

[@rachelk4914]

This message is needed ❤

[@iateyursandwiches]

I have a full routine that's similar to the amount of effort I put into my hair when it's out. I wash every week with shampoo that comes with a nozzle followed by conditioner (though i realize thanks to you that it's actually bad for build up) and then spray leavein. Maybe a little mousse to tame the flyaways. I noticed a huge difference when I started it last year in terms of moisture and build up as long as I take my knotless braids by 5 weeks. At 6 weeks the build up sets in. I doubt my braider will agree to no blow dry, but Im going to try to see if I can get my braider to at least use a styling cream instead of gel for my hair. It won't help eith build up but will at least be better for moisture lol

[@Kese157]

I believe that her scalp was aching. Ive had instances after ortective styling where my scalp hurt but after washing wekly i dont have those issues.

[@Rae_rae81]

SPEAK ON IT 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@LashGirlie]

Question, what’s your thoughts on maintenance with braids ? Me personally I don’t think shampooing your braids is right but if I’m wrong let me know.

[@abc101ish]

I thinks it’s because for a lot of people a protective style = neglected style. You put your hair away and don’t hydrate, cleanse or care for it for months at a time, then get another one and repeat that cycle. So even if installed properly, the dryness will still ruin the hair

[@MsNellyful]

I wonder if that darling hair model has a healthy hair routine she has shared. Her hair is also blown out before styles however her natural hair looks healthy from the naked eye. And she seem to get braids back to back

[@user-sw4yy4zj3c]

Best true information. But it's sad that most black women will argue you down about this. Smh

[@JubileeSaaan123]

How do I care for my hair in braids

[@AfrikanHairGod]

How do you care for your hair outside of braids?

[@denyshadials5702]

I know the current members of the community are pushing for ‘everyone should wear their hair in the way they prefer’. However, that’s never been something that was ever taken away from you. People are quick to make videos about being/feeling restricted within the community when the simple truth is: this community started over a conversation about natural hair health. Not styles. Not preferences. HEALTH. In these conversations we discuss and choose for ourselves what the healthiest route for our journey is. Once upon a time, that’s all the community was and this is why. If you’re not invested in hair health, then it makes sense to me why you’d be upset with the whole community.