10 PROTECTIVE STYLES FOR NATURAL HAIR

For many people with natural hair, finding the right protective hairstyle can be a challenge. Protective styles are crucial for protecting your hair from damage caused by everyday wear and tear, harsh weather, and styling tools. Additionally, protective styles can help to retain length, promote healthy hair growth, and minimize breakage.

Benefits

Protective styles offer numerous benefits for natural hair, including protection against breakage and damage, resulting in less hair loss and more hair growth over time. These styles are perfect for maintaining hair while it is growing out and allow the hair to grow without being constantly pulled and stretched. This results in healthier hair as it reduces daily manipulation, which can lead to tugging, pulling, and breakage due to manipulation, heat, and environmental factors.

In addition to promoting hair growth, protective styles help to retain moisture in the hair, preventing dryness and breakage. They require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for people with busy schedules or limited time for hair care. Protective styles come in various types, including braids, twists, wigs, and weaves, providing a range of different looks and styles that can be achieved while protecting the hair.

Moreover, protective styles offer protection from the elements, shielding the hair from harsh weather conditions such as wind, rain, and extreme heat or cold. This feature makes them ideal for individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors or in harsh environments.

Before you start

Protective styles are typically worn for a few days up to about eight weeks, with the recommended time being around six weeks. It's essential to avoid leaving them in for more than two months, as your hair can become dehydrated, and this can lead to increased scalp tension. To promote healthy hair and growth, it's crucial to moisturize your scalp properly.

Before installing any protective style, you must ensure that your natural hair is in optimal health. Here are some steps to take to prepare your hair:

Trim: Get rid of any split ends to promote hair growth before installing your style. Regular trims every three months are an essential healthy hair habit, and your hair will be easier to detangle.

Detangle: Before styling your hair, it's important to detangle it thoroughly. This helps to prevent breakage and make the styling process easier. To detangle your hair, use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush, starting from the ends of your hair and working your way up to the roots. It's best to detangle your hair in sections to avoid creating more tangles. Use our Moisturizing Gel to help ease the detangling process and provide slip for easy combing.

Wash: Thoroughly wash, condition, and moisturize your hair before installing the style to get the most out of it. Our African Black Soap Shampoo is perfect for cleansing and nourishing your hair. It's infused with organic seed oils & butters, giving your hair the extra care it needs.

Deep Condition: Incorporate a deep conditioning treatment on wash day to strengthen and nourish your hair before installing the style. Our Multi-use Conditioner is an excellent choice as it contains excellent ingredients like Saffron oil and brocolli seed oil to provide deep moisture to your hair, promoting its health and growth.

10 styles

When deciding on a hairstyle, it's important to take into account your hair type, length, and texture. If you have Type 4 hair, it's crucial to select a protective style that can help prevent breakage and maintain healthy growth. However, individuals with less coily hair may not experience as much breakage from certain styles, such as braids, which can tug on the scalp and edges. By understanding your hair type, identifying your hair goals, and considering your activities while wearing the hairstyle, you can make an informed decision about which style to choose. Below is a list of different styles to choose from based on your specific hair goals and needs.

Using our Multi-use leave-in Conditioner for any of the styles ensures that your hair stays moisturized and soft.

Cornrows

A versatile hairstyle that can be worn on all hair types and lengths. The hair is braided flat to the scalp in vertically sectioned rows. You can add extensions to create different design patterns.

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner

Top Knot

One of the easiest protective styles to achieve, the high bun can be styled in many different ways. You can add a side swoop bang or a braid before putting it up into a bun. Extensions can also be added for a fuller look.

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner

Bantu Knots

A popular style achieved by sectioning the hair and twisting those sections around themselves, forming tiny knots all around the head. This style can be worn for up to two weeks, and after you take them out, you can wear your curls as a style known as a “Bantu knot out.”

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner + Curling Butter

Box Braids

One of the most popular protective braided styles, achieved by sectioning the hair off into square shapes and braiding it. Extensions are often used, and the style can be worn in different lengths, sizes, and colors. Proper care can make this style last up to eight weeks.

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner + Curling Butter

Crochet Braids

Also known as latch hook braids, a special method of braiding that builds off of hair that’s been cornrowed. Extensions are added using a crochet needle. This style is quick to install and maintainable. You can switch up the length, color, style, and texture.

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner + Curling Butter

Senegalese Twists

Two strands of hair wrapped around each other to create a twist. Hair extensions are often added to maintain the style and protect natural hair. This style is versatile and can be worn in many different ways.

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner + Curling Butter

Pineapple

A quick and easy protective style used to protect curls while sleeping. Gather all your curls on top of your head and tie your hair loosely, using a wrap or hair tie.

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner + Curling Butter

Wig

A protective style with low manipulation and versatility. You can try different cuts and colors. Human hair wigs can be an investment but can last over a year.

Flat Twists

A great protective style that promotes hair growth and retains moisture. Before twisting your hair, apply our leave-in conditioner and our butter. Split a section of hair into two pieces and twist from the root to the ends.

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner + Curling Butter

Faux Locs

A popular style worn by celebrities achieved by wrapping hair extensions around natural hair. Faux locs can be worn in different lengths, sizes, and styles. Proper care can make this style last up to two months.

Recommended products: Multi-use Conditioner

Time to try

Are you excited to try out the best protective styles for hair growth? With so many options to choose from, you can select the one that suits your hair type the most, or experiment with a few until you find the perfect fit. Don't forget to use our natural hair products to safeguard your locks and preserve the style. By embracing these protective styles, your curls will flourish, and you'll notice a significant improvement in their health and growth.

Looking for extra growth and increased scalp health? Apply our hair follicle stimulant on your scalp while wearing your protective style.