3 Best Products for Protecting Natural Hair Ends in Buns and Updos
By Team CurlyNikki
A bun can be protective. A dry little knot of hair held hostage by an elastic is something entirely else lol. If we are tucking our ends away for several days, the ends need to go into that style signed, sealed and delivert- soft, lubricated, and not already splitting. Definitely not thirsty and crispy. The bun is the container. The condition of the hair going into it is the protection.
| Pick | Best for | Finish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion | Soft, polished ends | Moisturized + smooth with light hold | $39 |
| As I Am DoubleButter Cream | Dry ends that love richness | Buttery + pliable | From $9.99 |
| DAX Pomade | Stretched buns + maximum coating | Glossy + weighty | Varies |
Cécred: best when we still want movement
Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion works well before a bun because it softens and smooths without requiring the heavy finish of a grease. Cécred also positions it as a light-hold styler, so it can help tame the surface while the ends stay pliable.
Use it through the lengths first, then tuck the ends gently instead of twisting them into oblivion. Nikki says her hair stays moisturized for days using Cécred and has repurchased it at least 5 times which says alot ’cause homegirl moves on quick-quick.
As I Am: when the last few inches feel crunchy
As I Am DoubleButter Cream makes sense when our ends need more cushion. Shea butter, cocoa butter, oils, beeswax and lanolin give it a richer feel than a lotion. We love lanolin over here! Hair like wool in the Bible!
We do not need much. Warm a small amount between your hands and focus on the ends before folding or rolling them into the style.
DAX: when the bun is part of a length-retention season
DAX Pomade is the heaviest choice and our favorite when stretched hair likes a real coating. It adds slip, shine and enough weight to keep flyaway ends gathered instead of brushing against clothes all day. The bun still needs to be low tension. Grease cannot rescue an elastic that is taking our edges with it. Above is a pic of Nikki’s Dax Hair Growth Bun- no scrunchies, just two bobby pins, no tension, and lots of Dax!
A protective style should protect us from manipulation, not create a new source of it. Soft ends, gentle tension, then leave the bun alone.
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