updo and bun hairstyles 16 Hot Protective Hairstyles for Natural Hair
Conserve your coils in one of these swanky looks.
February 09, 2022Conserve your coils in one of these swanky looks.
February 09, 2022
Whether you’re trying to grow out your hair or prevent hair damage, protective hairstyles can help make all the difference in your mane’s overall health — especially for those with curly and coily hair.
As you may have guessed, a protective hairstyle involves wearing your ‘do in a way that shields your strands from elements in the environment that may have the potential to damage your hair. Braids, twists, and faux locs are just a few of the popular protective hairstyles you may come across while scrolling through your social media feeds.
And if you’re looking for hairstyle inspiration to decide on what your next protective style will be, we’ve got you covered. Read on for 15 of the hottest protective hairstyles, complete with products you can use to create these stunning looks.
Braided ponytails are having a major moment in the beauty world right now, and we can see why. They are easy to style, low maintenance, and can pull together any look in seconds.
Rub a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In through your strands to smooth out any hair flyaways. Then grab some hair extensions and start creating a long braided ponytail. Remember not to gather your hair too tight — your protective style isn’t that if it’s not really protecting your hair from damage.
Faux locs can look gorgeous on both women and men and it’s a pretty simple style to maintain. You can use two different methods to install your faux locs, either by wrapping your braids with hair extensions or by crocheting the hair onto your braids. Book an appointment with a faux locs specialist as this style does require time and specific techniques depending on the length you’re going for.
Editor’s tip: Be sure to use a hair mask, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi Use Treatment before and after installing faux locs to give your mane a dose of nourishment. A protective style should never be a neglected style!
Can’t get enough twists? Neither can we! Passion twists (also known as spring twists) are a mix between Senegalese twists and goddess locs. They are formed with two-strand twists that are created using wavy hair extensions. Book an appointment with your stylist to get the look.
These tribal West African braids make up a versatile and detailed hairstyle that sports a few cornrow braids down the center of the head and several cornrows braided in a row going out towards the temples on either side. Fulani braids are stunning and pair well with beads and metallic hair accessories.
If you’re looking for a more boho faux locs look, this is the style for you. Goddess locs are generally lightweight, easy to style, and the locs are left loose and curly to give off a more bohemian vibe. For this style, book an appointment with an experienced loctician, as it requires specific braiding and wrapping techniques.
Flat twists are a combination of cornrows and traditional twists. And if you look up the hashtag #flattwists on Instagram, you’ll find a ton of variations on this style. Flat twists are also a great hairstyle to opt for when you want to get a more uniform curl pattern. To create clean and neat-looking twists, be sure to apply a bit of styling gel to give your twists some hold and spritz with the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Hold, Light Hairspray Unscented.
This chic and short take on faux locs is great for those who want the style but don’t want to sit around in the chair all day (installing long locs can take several hours). To achieve this distressed hairstyle, you’ll need to get packs of curly hair braiding extensions to wrap around your braids. Be sure to check out an online tutorial if you opt to DIY at home.
For a braided hairstyle that doesn’t require sitting for hours on end in the salon chair, opt for jumbo cornrows. There are so many different ways to spice up the look if you don’t want simple straight-backs, including a stitch braiding, pops of color and unique parts.
Want a hairstyle that will be the star of your beauty look? Look no further than a braided crown to help you look like the queen you are. Combine the style with a low bun for a look that’s chic, elegant, and beneficial to your strands.
Cornrows are one of the most versatile ways to style and protect curly and coily hair. For a side-swept look, create a deep side part and divide your hair into two sections. Take the larger section and weave it into thin, sleek braids that run perpendicular to the part. Allow the rest of your hair to hang free for extra movement.
Next: 8 Ways to Stretch Natural Hair Without Using Heat
Edited by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Credit: Katlyn Pierre
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