@theminimalistnatural

If you have locs or you're a fan of rocking braids and twists, including a gel in your styling routine can be very helpful for maintaining the appearance and longevity of your hair. However, if you're not quite sure how to use gel for braids or locks, we've for you covered.

In this article, we'll be discussing all you need to know about using gel on your braids, twists, and dreadlocs.

Benefits Of Using Gel On Your Braids, Twists, And Loc

Softness

A gel can help improve the softness and shine of your protective style, allowing it to last longer. However, you will need to use a nourishing gel like our Twist & Braid Gel which contains ingredients like Jamaican black castor oil, if you want to enjoy this benefit.

Firmness

Applying gel on your braids, twists and locs can help secure them in place and ensure they last long. This is especially important for those with loose curls that unravel very easily when put into braids and twists.

Neatness

Braids and locs can easily develop frizz and start to look in as little as one week depending on the nature of your hair. So if you want to maintain a polish and sleek appearance, using a gel can help to smooth down flyaways and also ensure your hair looks neat.

@chizzoomm_

How To Choose The Best Gel For Your Braids And Locs

If you want to achieve the best results, there are a few factors you should look out for in your gel.

Flaking Tendency

There is nothing more frustrating than applying some gel to your locs or braids in hopes of achieving a polished look only to end up with a flaky mess–it's the worst. The best way to avoid that? Make sure you choose a gel that does not flake or leave any residue. To test if a gel flakes, apply a little bit on your edges and check back in a few hours to see what the results look like.

Hold

It is very important to make sure your gel has a strong hold to provide a long-lasting shine and sleekness. For braids and locs, a gel with a thick consistency is best for maintaining a firm hold.

Ingredients

The ingredients in your gel are also extremely important because using something with harsh or drying ingredients can be detrimental to the health of your hair and lead to damage over time. Look for a gel with nourishing ingredients nourishing oils and moisture-boosting ingredients. Our Twist & Braids Gel is a great example of this as it contains a blend of coconut oil, castor oil, and water. Plus it provides a firm hold for all hair types.

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How To Use Gel On Locs

From styling to maintenance, there are a few ways a good quality gel can help keep your locs healthy and improve their overall appearance. Here's how you can use our Twist & Braids Gel on different occasions.

Retwisting

1. Cleanse your locs with our Hydration Shampoo and pat it dry with a towel
2. Spray some of our Everyday Curl Refresh to hydrate your locs.
3. Working one locs section at a time, apply a dollop of our Twist & Braid Gel to the new growth round root of your hair.
4. Use your finger to palm roll or twist the locs in a clockwise motion until they become tight.
5. Use a small silver clip to secure the locs in place.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 until you cover your entire head
7. Let your locs air dry or use a blow dryer to speed up the drying time
8. Gently take off the silver clips.

Styling

1. Hydrate your locs with our Everyday Curl Refresh and seal in the moisture with the Hair & Scalp Oil.
2. Rub a tiny bit of Sofnfree's Twist & Braid Gel down the length of your locs to smooth frizz.
3. Put your locs in your desired hairstyle and style your edges with a little bit of the gel.

How To Use Gel On Braids And Twists

Whether you are making twists or braids, here's how you can use gel to achieve sleek and shiny results that last for several weeks.

1. Shampoo and conditioning your hair with our Hydration Shampoo and Moisture Rich Conditioner. Before rinsing off the conditioner, thoroughly detangle your hair from ends to root).
2.  Divide your hair into sections and apply a generous amount of our Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner.
3. Begin your braids or twists by parting your hair and working in sections. Then, apply our Twist & Braids Gel to the root of each section before starting to braid or Twist.

When it comes to protective styles for natural hair, locs, braids, and twists are hands-down the best options out there-they not only look amazing but also help maintain the health of your strands. So, if you want to wear them with confidence and make sure they last long, be sure to incorporate our Twist & Braid Gel into your routine.