Use These 4 Style Prep Tips Before Braids & Upstyles

If your upstyling style prep doesn’t start BEFORE you blow-dry, then you’re not building a strong enough foundation—but no worries! After reading these four tips, you’ll know exactly how to properly prep for styling everything from braids to updos by creating grip, texture and long-lasting hold! Kenra Professional’s Education Manager Cassie Siskovic (@cassielizhair) is breaking it all down below, then watch her quickie for creating an Insta-worthy braid!

Products Used

Conditioners

Luxe One Leave-In

Kenra Professional

Styling

Volume Mousse 12

Kenra Professional

Styling

Dry Volume Burst 3

Kenra Professional

1. It’s Never Too Early To Start Building Volume

• Start building a strong foundation the second she leaves the shampoo bowl by prepping your client’s blowout with the correct volumizing products.
• Cassie’s motto for building volume–especially with fine-haired clients—is the more product used, the more volume achieved! Cassie recommends applying Kenra Professional Platinum Luxe One Leave-In, then Kenra Volume Mousse 12 from roots to ends (using four golf balls worth of product) for style memory and volume.

2. Stop Ignoring Your Cool Shot Button

• If you’re styling a client at the end of their color appointment, it’s important to maintain the integrity of their hair—especially before using hot tools! Blow-dry the hair with the cool air setting to keep styles looking (and feeling!) strong and healthy.

3. Overdirect To Maximize Volume

• Use your blowout as an opportunity to build volume before styling with this super easy technique. Overdirect the hair in the opposite direction of where you want to create volume—before braiding, Cassie dries her client’s hair forward and over her face to build volume underneath. When your client flips her hair back, it will be rich with volume and lift.

4. Create Workable Grip

• Before braiding and upstyling, it’s crucial to build a strong foundation that you can easily work your fingers through for flexible styling and control. Cassie swears by Kenra Dry Volume Burst 3 to build texture and add grip, then she brushes it through the hair to create a perfect braiding canvas.

Now, watch this quickie to see Cassie create a cascading
metallic braid that’s perfect for Instagram!

Loving this haircolor? Watch BTC’s FB Live to see how Cassie achieved this metallic melt!