For Natural Hair Here Are Stylish Protective Hairstyles We Love – Part 1

What Is Protective Hairstyle? 

We have the perfect look for you for natural hair with or without a weave. 

To describe hairstyles that safeguard natural hair from the elements, the term protective hairstyle is used frequently throughout the black community. More prone to split ends, breakage, and dryness kinky-curly natural hair is more fragile in comparison to straight hair. Similar to summer’s excessive heat and humidity that can cause natural hair to lose its curl definition and become frizzy, protective styles safeguard hair from the elements. 

A protective hairstyle is often the answer for black women whether it's to sidestep the effort it takes to revive curly or transitioning hair after swimming, also cut back the amount of time it takes to get ready as also simply grow your hair longer. 

Do Protective Hairstyles Help Hair Grow?

In this case, it is Jennifer Lord, a natural hair artist and author of Natural Hollywood Vol. 1 saying that one of the key benefits to maintaining healthy hair and retaining length is moisture as the benefits of protective hairstyles are that they seal in moisture. Protective hairstyles allow you to have that minimal manipulation from combing, brushing and other excessive things we tend to do to our hair when not in a protective hairstyle as low manipulation is beneficial to healthy hair growth. It can lead to breakage and stunt growth when you are constantly changing styles and styling kinky-curly hair. 

As it's simply being left alone to flourish protective styles for curly hair provide an opportunity for the hair to grow. Preventing unnecessary breakage, a protective style is also beneficial for transitioning hair. This happens when you come to be transitioning with the weakest part of the hair where new growth meets the relaxed hair. Protective styles stop that from happening as the tension places stress on the hair and causes breakage at the connecting site. 

How Long Do Protective Hairstyles Last?

You must still take care of your natural hair and particularly your scalp even though your hair is in a protective style. This includes your scalp as your skin is the largest organ on your body. No matter what style you opt for, ensure that you keep it clean and use products to keep your scalp hydrated. Here’s the lowdown on timing aside from that: 

For six to eight weeks braids can be left in. As the braids loosen they will begin to weigh your natural hair down causing tension as any longer and you risk matting your hair from build-up. 

It all depends on how fast your natural hair grows as a sew-in weave can last three to four months. 

For a week twists can be worn. For a defined twist out take them out. On your natural hair, the same goes for braids. 

Lasting up to two weeks is a protective style ponytail. A low time commitment is this style: as it can cause tension on your scalp just be careful that the pony isn’t pulled too tight. 

We rounded up some of the best and most protective hairstyles for naturally curly hair to inspire your next look whether you are rocking braids, adding extensions, or want to wear a wig. 

Braided Beauty

Head-turning and very versatile are gorgeous box braids like actress Zendaya’s. They can last between six and eight weeks if you take care of them properly. Resulting in low manipulation of your natural hair this style is great year-round. 

Braided Ponytail for Relaxed Hair

We are loving this pretty braided ponytail as singer Rihanna is the queen of protective styles. It’s a chic yet easy style to achieve by adding what is seen to be a simple cornrow finally into the ponytail and then smooth the rest of the crown of hair. As it's sleek and won’t require you to put a lot of heat on your hair, this is a great protective style for relaxed hair. 

Mermaid Braids

To your jumbo braids add a little colour. Showing off this eye-catching look is actress Amandla Stenberg posing on the red carpet. When you don’t want to spend eight hours getting your hair braided, jumbo box braids are a quick protective style. In four hours or under these can be done.  

Pull It Up

Amandla Stenberg is back. By placing them in a high ponytail to shorten the style her updated mermaid braids made for a second red carpet appearance. 

Power Braid

At the Fall 2019 Maki Oh New York Fashion Week show, celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen styled these bold braids. For a commanding look, this simple braid is wrapped in fabric. Great for someone who doesn’t want to commit to braids, a protective style ponytail can last you up to two weeks. Causing tension on your scalp just be careful with the style that the ponytail isn’t pulled too tight. 

Braided Crown

Wow, are you a queen? Singer, Issa Rae's style turns your hair into a literal crown. Leaving the bottom strands flowing braid two sections of the top of the hair, then wrap them around your head and pin in the shape of a crown. 

Sculptural Headwrap

Are you not feeling to wear your hair out? Throw on a fabulous headwrap like actress Tracee Ellis Ross, braiding it in some cornrows, tucking the ends. Your hair underneath is getting the rest that it needs which is so elegant.