10 Popular Protective Hairstyles for Natural Hair

Whether you want to grow out your hair or prevent damage, protective styles can improve your natural hair's health. This is especially true if you have curly and coily hair. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) confirms that natural hair can be fragile, and these styles help keep your strands healthy.

If you need some inspiration for your next protective look, we can help. Here are 10 of the most popular protective hairstyles for natural hair, along with products to help you create them.

Key Takeaways

• Protective styles keep your hair ends safely tucked away to prevent damage.

• These hairstyles defend fragile, natural hair from weather, heat, and manipulation.

• Many styles like knotless braids reduce tension on your scalp to minimize breakage.

• Low-maintenance choices such as twists and braids can help you retain hair length.

What Are Protective Hairstyles?

Protective hairstyles are any style that keeps your ends tucked away from exposure. These styles usually demand little maintenance, avoid heat, and help lock in moisture.

They are a vital part of healthy hair care. In cold months, they shield your hair from low temperatures and dry air. During summer, protective styling prevents damage from the sun, wind, and water.

Since kinky and coily hair is naturally dry and can break easily, weather and frequent styling can wear it down. This can lead to damage and a loss of length over time.

Benefits of Protective Styling

A protective style tucks away your natural hair, which reduces the damage and breakage from manipulation, heat, and environmental factors. These styles provide several benefits, including:

Hair Protection: They shield your natural hair from tugging and pulling, allowing it to grow.

Seasonal Defense: Extreme temperatures can damage hair, making these styles ideal for every season.

Length Retention: By keeping your ends safe, these styles help you maintain length and reduce the need for trims.

Edge Protection: Protective looks also guard your delicate edges against breakage and thinning.

Low Maintenance: These hairstyles need minimal daily care, which saves you time.

Our Top 10 Protective Styles

Protective styles are most effective when they fit your hair goals, available time, and tension tolerance. Use these options to keep your ends tucked in and daily handling low.

Check the installation method, how long the style lasts, and if extensions are needed to keep your scalp comfortable and edges safe. Here are ten great choices.

1. Marley Twists

These twists are named after Bob Marley, who was known for his freeform locs. Marley twists let you wear a beautiful pattern while your natural hair stays protected. The style involves wrapping your hair, often with extensions, to form a two-strand twist with a textured, natural appearance.

Discover what curl type is your hair

2. Goddess Braids

Goddess braids begin like classic box braids but also include free-flowing curly strands for a soft, ethereal look. You can get these braids done at home or in a salon. If you do them yourself, be sure to refresh the curls with a leave-in conditioner.

3. Box Braids

Box braids are another protective style you've likely seen everywhere, from your neighbors to celebrities. This look works with any hair length and is often enhanced with extensions for longer, thicker braids. Wash your hair a day before installation so you can start with a clean foundation.

4. Knotless Box Braids

Knotless box braids are a variation of the style above that are just as versatile. Instead of forming a knot at the root, your stylist will use a feed-in technique. This puts less tension on the scalp, which can help lower the risk of breakage. My friends who get these always mention how much lighter they feel.

5. Senegalese Twists

These twists are a popular protective style with roots in Senegal. The hair types most often used for Senegalese twists are Kanekalon and Toyokalon. The process involves dividing hair into sections and twisting them around each other. You should book an appointment with a stylist for the best results.

Discover your hair type with Keyoma

6. Three-Strand Braided Ponytail

The braided ponytail is a major trend right now, and it's easy to see why. It's simple to style, low maintenance, and completes any look in minutes. To achieve this style, apply a small amount of hair serum to tame flyaways. Then, use extensions to create a long, braided ponytail. Don't pull your hair too tight.

7. Crochet Hair

Crochet is a distinct braiding method. Your hair is first braided into cornrows, and then a crochet needle is used to loop synthetic hair through the braids. It is a common style for all seasons.

It’s an affordable and low-tension style that is also fast to install. Crochet styles typically last two to four weeks, depending on your maintenance routine, as synthetic hair can tangle and frizz more easily.

You can usually get your hair wet with a crochet style. We suggest using a leave-in conditioner to maintain the curls. However, if you use Marley Hair for the style, it is best to avoid getting your hair wet.

Explore the different low tension hair styles you can try

8. Faux Locs

Faux locs look great on everyone and are a fairly simple style to care for. There are two common installation methods: wrapping loose braids with extensions or crocheting the hair into cornrows. Faux locs might require a visit to a specialist if you want a look that needs specific techniques or a longer length.

9. Passion Twists

We love twists, and this style is a favorite. Passion twists, also known as spring twists, combine elements of Senegalese twists and goddess locs. They are two-strand twists made with wavy hair extensions. You should book an appointment with a stylist to get this look, as it can be tricky to do on your own.

10. Goddess Locs

If you prefer a more relaxed version of faux locs, this is the perfect style for you. Goddess locs are typically lightweight and easy to manage.

The ends of the locs are left loose and curly for a carefree appearance. For this style, book an appointment with a loctician who has experience with its specific braiding and wrapping techniques.

Protect Your Hair's Future

Choosing the right protective style is about more than looks; it's a commitment to your hair's health. By keeping your ends tucked away and minimizing daily styling, you reduce breakage and help retain length. 

Consistently using these styles gives your hair the safe environment it needs to grow strong and healthy. Taking these steps helps you reach your long-term hair goals.