Think of all the things you could do if you didn’t spend so much time in front of the mirror styling your natural hair. You could probably have responded to some of the hundreds of emails you’re yet to open or finalize that deal, so why not opt for a protective hairstyle? Recently, the beauty world has gone agog with an endless inspiration of protective hairstyles for Black women. Excitingly, this means you’ll have so much to choose from.
Protective hairstyles save you the time of daily blow-drying, stressful combing, and most importantly, they keep your ends carefully tucked away. They also reduce damage to your natural hair from regular manipulation and heat. Whether you opt for single braids, cornrows, weaves, or wigs, it is a matter of choice. But we recommend single braids and cornrows, which allow your scalp to breathe better. Another plus? These hairstyles require very little daily upkeep and also help the hair to retain its moisture.
Protective hairstyles like the one seen above on Nigeria’s Liquor Rose are chic, timeless, and a sure way to stand out from the crowd.
Also, if you’re tired of the wig life and feel like letting your natural hair out, #teamnatural on Instagram has an endless inspiration to choose from. Being able to style your natural hair in a variety of hairstyles can become a good problem seeing as you will never run out of options. However, making the final decision to settle for just one, can be daunting but we have narrowed the list to a few options. These options will definitely guide your styling journey and your next trip to the salon.
Check out 5 trendy protective hairstyles we’re totally gushing over…
#1. Box braids
There’s a reason box braids are one of the most popular protective styles for Black women. From it’s versatility to it’s ease of maintainace, this ‘OG’ hairstyle is beloved by many natural hair afficados. More recently, box braids have taken an upgrade with the knotless braids trend that begins with your natural hair rather than the extension. This is great as it reduces tension at your scalp and also gives your hair less chance of breakage. Certainly, with so much innovative box braid options around, you can’t be boring!
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#2. Bantu Knots
Bantu knots are the perfect mix of playful and chic. Whether you’re looking for a style to complement your weekend slay or to maintain your curls, this is your answer. In addition, there’re one of the easiest protective hairstyles for Black women available anyone can do them. However, easy doesn’t mean boring as bantu knots come in a variety of options.
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#3. Fulani Braids
This is a face-framing hairstyle that flatters almost all face shapes. From diamond to oval, round to square, every woman can get her protective fix with this style and still look major. Plus, considering that there’s so much parting options to choose from, you can always return to this protective look for a steady glow-up and not feel redundant.
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#4. Cornrows
Cornrows have been protecting natural hair since inception, and in 2021, they still show no sings of abating. Interestingly, this hairstyle can be worked into any style and they’ll still give the desired results. Whether it’s simple cornrows or incorporating into a faux pony, either way it’s guaranteed to look good!
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#5. Faux Locs
Textures and curls are always a win when it comes to protective hairstyles for Black women. Because natural hair is curly and textured, it’s imprtant to opt for styles that ‘honor’ your hair for what it is. Of course, the whole idea of natural hair is to keep it in its natural state, styles that bend it to submission are no-no. Luckily, faux locs (and all others on this list) are a great way to protect your hair as well as honor its natural state. Finally, if you’re looking to up the switch, you can also add in different colors to your faux locs for a welcome update.
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Featured image: Vanessa Matsena/Instagram
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