Afro-textured hair comes in a variety of curl patterns, and no matter your type, it needs proper protection to support growth and length retention. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by choosing hairstyles that keep your strands tucked away, shielded from environmental stress, and free from excessive heat or manipulation. These styles are known as protective hairstyles.
Below is our list of 15 top protective hairstyles for natural hair—each one stylish, beautiful, and fun to recreate.
1. Classic Box Braids
Box braids are a great and fun way to take a break from heated styling and change up your look. They allow you to get creative with colours and styles.
2. Bantu knots
The Zulu people of southern Africa originated Bantu knots, a hairstyle where the hair is sectioned off, twisted, and wrapped in a such a way that the hair stacks upon itself to form a spiralled knot. A fun and interesting part about bantu knots is that they give off curls after they’re let loose. You’re left with thick and bouncy spring curls, depending on your hair type and we definitely love to see!
3. Faux locs
Locs but without the long term commitment. Think of any hairstyle that looks better as it ages- faux locs. It can be fixed by cornrowing your hair first and crocheting the locs onto the cornrows, tucking your hair into the locs using individual crochet method or wrapping your hair with faux loc extensions.
4. Twists
Braids but make it twists. These are one of the quickest protective hairstyles that can be made.
5. Crochet Braids
Pre-braided or twisted crochet are really great protective styles. They save you a lot of time when installing.
6. Wigs
You can have your hairstyle switched up in several ways, thanks to wigs. Wigs give you the opportunity to play with different textures, colours and silhouettes.
7. Knotless Braids
For sensitive scalps, knotless braids are great options. The braids put less tension on your scalp and edges while made into box braids.
8. Fulani Braids
These tribal West African cornrow braids are so versatile and stylish. Beads and metallic hair cuffs are the best hair accessories for the look. For a little twist and creativity, add some curly crochet braids and you won’t want to take it off.
9. Curly Crochet Braids
Crochet braids are perfect protective hairstyles that are low cost, low maintenance and super easy to install and take down.
10. Cornrows
Cornrows are one of the most protective and low-maintenance hairstyles you can try for relaxed hair. Cornrow style ideas are limitless and deserve an entire blog post.
11. Flat Twists
Flat twist is a combination of two-strand twists and cornrows in one hairstyle. It’s a simple hairstyle that is easy to create and take down.
12. Natural Hair Cornrows
Cornrows but without adding hair extensions.
13. Marley Twists
These twists are created using Marley hair extensions. They are unique and fluffy twists that have a textured natural look.
14. Pineapple
The pineapple hairstyle is a great way to stretch your hair at night. It can both be worn to bed as a protective style or worn out on a lazy day.
15. Passion Twists
These unique 2 strand twists have different ways to install them. You can either braid your hair with curly extensions or fix pre-twisted crochet passion twists, either way you get a really cute hairstyle.
