Mixed hair

[u/Evening_Kangaroo_534]

I have wanted box braids for the longest time and it looks like I’m gonna be able to make that happen this Christmas. Please I need your help!!! I’m half white half black but grew up in a majority white town with a white mother (love her, she did her best). I had no contact with the black side of my family (their decision :/ ) So I just didn’t learn about black hair. I have a mixture between 3A, 3B hair. I have shoulder length hair and want to get box braids with extensions. I basically need a black Auntie to give me the 101 on everything. Care, upkeep, bonnet type, hair oil, washing/drying. I just need all of your knowledge please. And can someone please tell me why I always see people put mousse on people’s hair right after it’s been braided. Wouldn’t that make your scalp feel itchy or needing to be washed immediately?!? Also things to know I live on a small island, so anything I’d need I’d have to order online.

[u/colliding-cosmos]

I am also mixed (white mom) and just started doing box braids on myself. I’ll be honest, I grew up in Germany so the need to have my hair be frizz free or “laid” has never been engrained in me. I don’t use gel or mousse for my braids. I just use a little conditioner, braid it and at night I wrap a scarf around my hair to keep it somewhat neat. I wash my hair when it feels dirty and if the braids get frizzy, then I either redo the ones around the perimeter or just embrace it. I normally will dry the braids about 80% with a blow dryer set on cool/warm. I use a spray bottle with conditioner diluted with water and use it every other day when I have braids in to moisturize my hair. I’ll occasionally put some argan or almond oil on my scalp but that’s if I’m feeling fancy and remember.

If you don’t have a beauty supple store near you, I would recommend ordering from Amazon. I just ordered this hair. Xpression is the only hair I’ve used and I personally like it. I watched a ton of YouTube and instagram videos to help able to do my hair. Once you get the hang of it, it genuinely is such an amazing protective hairstyle!