The term "protective hairstyle" is used frequently throughout the Black community to describe hairstyles that safeguard natural hair from the elements. Kinky-curly natural hair is more fragile in comparison to straight hair and more prone to split ends, breakage, and dryness. Protective styles safeguard hair from the elements, like summer's excessive heat and humidity that can cause natural hair to lose its curl definition and become frizzy.
Whether it's to sidestep the effort it takes to revive curly or transitioning hair after swimming, cut back the amount of time it takes to get ready, or simply grow your hair longer (or if you just love the look of these styles!), a protective hairstyle is often the answer for Black women.
Do protective hairstyles help hair grow?
"The benefits of protective hairstyles are that they seal in moisture and moisture is one of the key benefits to maintaining healthy hair and retaining length," says Jennifer Lord, natural hair artist and author of Natural Hollywood Vol. 1. "Low manipulation is beneficial to healthy hair growth and 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." When you are constantly changing styles and styling kinky-curly hair, it can lead to breakage and stunt growth.
Protective styles for curly hair provide an opportunity for the hair to grow because it's simply being left alone to flourish. A protective style is also beneficial for transitioning hair and can prevent unnecessary breakage. That's because when you are transitioning, the weakest part of the hair is where new growth meets the relaxed hair. That tension places stress on the hair and will cause breakage at that connecting site, and protective styles stop that from happening.
Heads up: Not all "protective styles" are actually protective. "We tend to come up with these terms and then abuse them," Lord adds. "True protective styles are hairstyles where the ends of your hair are sealed in a twist, a braid, or a tuck."
How long do protective hairstyles last?
Even though your hair is in a protective style, you must still take care of your natural hair and particularly your scalp. Your skin is the largest organ on your body and this includes your scalp! Ensure that you keep it clean and use products to keep your scalp hydrated, no matter what style you opt for. Aside from that, here's the lowdown on timing:
- Braids can be left in for six to eight weeks. Any longer and your risk matting your hair from build up and as the braids loosen they will begin to weigh your natural hair down, causing tension.
- A sew in weave can last three to four months, but again, it all depends on how fast your natural hair grows.
- Twists can be worn for a week. Take them out for a defined twist out. The same goes for braids on your natural hair.
- A protective style ponytail can last up to two weeks. This style a low time commitment: Just be careful that the pony isn't pulled too tight, which can cause tension on your scalp.
Whether you are rocking braids, adding extensions, or want to wear a wig (make sure you take care of your hair underneath!), we rounded up 30 of the best, most protective hairstyles for natural curly hair to inspire your next look:
1
Braided Beauty
Gorgeous box braids like actress Zendaya's are head-turning and very versatile. If you take care of them properly, they can last between six and eight weeks. This style is great year-round and results in low manipulation of your natural hair.
2
Braided Ponytail for Relaxed Hair
Singer Rihanna is the queen of protective styles and we're loving this pretty braided ponytail. Add a simple cornrow into the ponytail and smooth the rest of the crown of hair, and it's a chic yet easy style to achieve. This is a great protective style for relaxed hair as it's sleek and won't require you to put a lot of heat on your hair.
3
Mermaid Braids
Add a little color to your jumbo box braids! Actress Amandla Stenberg poses on the red carpet and shows off this eye-catching look. Jumbo box braids are a quick protective style when you don't want to spend eight hours getting your hair braided. These can be done in four hours or under. Keep scrolling to see how she gave this protective style a second life.
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4
Pull It Up
She's back! Amandla Stenberg updated her mermaid braids for a second red carpet appearance by placing them in a high ponytail to shorten the style.
5
Power Braid
Celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen styled these bold braids at the Fall 2019 Maki Oh New York Fashion Week show. This simple braid is wrapped in fabric for a commanding look. A protective style ponytail can last you up to two weeks and is great for someone who doesn't want to commit to braids. Just be careful with the style that the ponytail isn't pulled too tight and causing tension on your scalp.
6
Braided Crown
Hey Queen: Turn your hair into a literal crown, singer Issa Rae style! Braid two sections of the top of hair, then wrap them around your head and pin in the shape of a crown, leaving the bottom strands flowing.
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7
Sculptural Headwrap
Don't feel like wearing your hair out? Braid it in some cornrows, tuck the ends, and throw on a fabulous headwrap like actress Tracee Ellis Ross. So elegant and your hair underneath is getting the rest that it needs.
8
Bantu Knot Beauty
Bantu knots are two styles in one. Wear this protective style and then unravel them for a bantu knot out, which will give you defined, bouncy curls. We love this creative style on actress Kiki Layne where the bantu knots are created out of braids.
9
Textured Updo
Add some extensions to your updo for more volume and to facilitate styling options, like actress and comedian Yvonne Orji. An updo is a great hair option for curly or relaxed natural hair.
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10
High Top Knot
You can't go wrong with a top knot! Actress Lupita Nyong'o shows us to take it up a notch by adding volume by braiding hair.
11
Double Braids
Actress Yara Shahidi shows us that this simple sleek style with a braid woven beneath each ear will bring you back to your schoolgirl days (in a sophisticated way!). This is a quick no heat style that keeps your hair protected.
12
Faux Locs
The great thing about faux locs is that they cover and protect your natural hair and look better as they age! Zendaya styles her elegantly for the Oscars by pulling some of the locs off her face.
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13
Wavy Braids
Actress Gabrielle Union looks so romantic in this braided style with the free ends curled.
14
Afro Chic
An afro is a perfect protective hairstyle for natural hair that doesn't require a weave. You can add pieces to your natural hair if you desire added fullness or you can wear a wig. We love the voluminous curls on actress Kerry Washington.
15
Striking Mohawk
Show off your facial features with a braided mohawk style just like actress Danai Gurira! This is a great protective style for transitioning hair as your hair is pulled up and braided.
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16
A Natural Hairstyle With a Textured Twist
An unexptected twist on fringe, Issa Rae rocks a braided updo with a textured bang. This protective style is easy to maintain when you sleep. Re-twist the front of the bangs to maintain definition and tie your hair down to keep the sides sleek.
17
Spectacular Space Buns
Space buns are fun and singer Janelle Monae takes it to the next level by adding pretty decorative pearls.
18
Flowing Cornrows
You can never go wrong with length! Tracee Ellis Ross's straight back style is showstopping thanks to added inches. Cornrows are versatile and a great protective style for relaxed hair and transitioning hair.
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19
Braided Braids
Give your box braids new life by weaving them into one big braid like actress Storm Reid.
20
Lovely Lace Front
Singer Cardi B. is known for consistently switching up her hairstyles using wigs. Wigs give you an opportunity to play with different textures, colors, and silhouettes. But a lace front is not a protective style if you aren't taking care of your hair underneath. Make sure you pay attention to your edges, as glue to lay down your wig can be detrimental to the fine hairs.
Danielle James
Digital Beauty Director
Danielle James is the Digital Beauty Director of ELLE.com. Previously, she was the Fashion and Beauty Director of HelloBeautiful.com and MadameNoire.com. She’s written for The Cut, InStyle, Allure, The Business of Fashion, Nylon, Essence, Good Housekeeping, and more. She enjoys sailing, thrifting, Japanese whiskey, Naomi Campbell’s runway walk, and Rihanna in the comment section.
