In this video, I’m showing y’all exactly how I prep my type 4 hair for a quick protective style before my birthday (Aries gang, let me know). I’m starting on a week-old wash and go with some gel buildup at the roots, so the goal is simple: get my scalp CLEAN and get my hair deeply moisturized before it’s tucked away for weeks. A clean base is non-negotiable if you want your protective style to actually protect and not just sit on top of gunk. I take you through my full wash day at the sink—warm water, shampooing (and yes, I’ll shampoo more than once because I’m heavy-handed with gels), then straight into deep conditioning. I use a strengthening + moisturizing mask and let it sit about 30–35 minutes, then I move into my braid-down for a V-part wig. I show how I part for a side part, how I keep my leave-out minimal (because less is more), and how I add anchor braids so the clips feel secure. I finish by oiling my scalp (dry scalp girls, you get it), tucking the braids so nothing sticks out, and giving you a peek at how I style and refresh the wig for a blended final look.