At RevAir, we know that a flawless protective style starts with proper preparation. That’s why we’re excited to be featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s latest article, The Expert’s Guide to Getting Your Hair Braided. Written by Tiffany Dodson Davis, this guide explores the best practices for braiding prep, highlighting the RevAir Reverse-Air Hair Dryer as an essential tool for achieving a smooth, tangle-free foundation before braiding.
The Importance of Hair Prep Before Braiding
As emphasized by Harper’s Bazaar, prepping your hair properly before braiding is crucial to maintaining scalp health and ensuring your style lasts longer. Celebrity stylist Nai’vasha Grace advises, “When preparing for a braiding session, it’s important to have freshly shampooed, conditioned, and detangled hair.”
Skipping this step can lead to unnecessary tension, knots, and difficulty parting, which can ultimately shorten the longevity of the style. Properly prepped hair not only makes installation easier but also protects against breakage and excess shedding when the braids are taken down.
Why RevAir is the Perfect Tool for Braiding Prep
A key step in the prep process is stretching your hair before braiding—and this is where RevAir truly shines. Traditional blow dryers rely on high heat and tension, which can cause damage and dryness. In contrast, RevAir’s reverse-air technology gently stretches and dries hair simultaneously, cutting prep time significantly while maintaining moisture and reducing frizz.
Using RevAir before your braiding appointment offers multiple benefits:
- Faster Drying & Stretching – RevAir cuts drying and stretching time by up to 70% compared to conventional methods.
- Less Heat Damage – The reverse-air process minimizes exposure to high temperatures, protecting your strands.
- Tangle-Free Results – The gentle airflow smooths hair while preserving natural texture, creating the perfect base for braiding.
- Frizz Reduction – By aligning the hair cuticle, RevAir helps keep frizz under control, making braids look fresher for longer.
Expert Tips for Preparing Your Hair for Braids
Harper’s Bazaar highlights a few key tips to get your hair braid-ready:
- Deep Clean & Condition – Wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and apply a hydrating conditioner to ensure a moisturized foundation.
- Detangle Thoroughly – Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to eliminate knots before stretching your hair.
- Stretch Without Heat Damage – Instead of using high heat and tension from a traditional blow dryer, opt for RevAir’s reverse-air drying method to stretch hair evenly and gently.
- Seal in Moisture – Lightly apply a leave-in conditioner or lightweight oil to keep hair hydrated before installation.
Why Stretching Matters Before Braiding
One of the most overlooked steps in braid prep is properly stretching the hair. Stretching ensures that the braids lay flat and even, prevents excess tension on the roots, and reduces the chances of breakage when the braids are removed. RevAir’s ability to dry, smooth, and stretch hair in one step makes it an absolute game-changer for those who want an easy, damage-free method before braiding.
The Final Word: RevAir is Your Braiding Prep Essential
We’re honored to be recognized by Harper’s Bazaar as an essential tool for braiding preparation. Their expert-backed guide confirms what we already know—healthy hair starts with the right prep routine. Whether you’re getting ready for a new set of box braids, knotless braids, or twists, RevAir is the must-have tool to ensure your braids last longer, look sleeker, and keep your hair in optimal condition.
For those who love protective styles but want to simplify the prep process, RevAir is the ultimate solution.
Read the full Harper’s Bazaar article here: The Expert’s Guide to Getting Your Hair Braided
