25/08/2021
PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLE
One of the things I love most about natural hair is the ability to create versatile styles. What people don't often mention is the amount of time it takes to create these styles. Sometimes I just don't have the energy! That's why I like to give my hair—and myself—a break with protective styles. Protective styles keep the ends of hair tucked away in order to discourage tugging, pulling, and manipulation. They are also meant to encourage hair growth and can save so much time since the entire idea is to touch the hair as little as possible. Protective styles include things like wigs, buns, two-strand twists, and braids (with or without extensions).
Protective styles keep the ends of hair tucked away in order to discourage tugging, pulling, and manipulation. They are also meant to encourage hair growth and can save so much time since the entire idea is to touch the hair as little as possible
But here's the thing: Not everyone is a fan. Some consider protective styling as the key to hair health. Others say the tension from some of these styles can actually cause breakage, especially since hair isn't getting properly moisturized. Not sure what to think? We asked 10 popular YouTubers where they stand in the great protective styling debate. Here's their advice for anyone trying to keep their natural hair as protected as possible.
Not all protective styles actually protect.
“My best advice for protective styling is to choose a style that not only looks good, but is...protective! I know that sounds pretty obvious, but there's a lot of beautiful braided, twisted, and weaved hairstyles out there that look amazing and take a tremendous amount of skill to create, but not all are actually protective.
A good rule of thumb I stick to: Don't go too tight, too small, or too long on protective styling. Also, make sure your hair is clean, deep-conditioned, and moisturized prior to install, to make sure your hair can actually go the distance without damage. How you prep your protective style is just as important as which style you choose. My favorite protective style is two strand twists! They're gentle, easy, and quick to install. Additionally, they can be molded into other hairstyles easily to switch up your look.”
Protective styles are great, but only if you moisturize.
“Protective styling is literally God’s gift to those of us transitioning and even those who are fully natural, but just don’t have the time and energy for wash-n-go twice a week. Done the right way, protective styling can help mask mismatched textures and even encourage your hair to grow. The number one thing to remember before tucking away all your curls is to make sure they are well-moisturized. Many people think that just because your hair is put away, dryness and breakage won’t be an issue. Untrue! Your hair can become more brittle and fragile than when you started if you don’t prepare it properly. Leaving protective styles in too long can also perpetrate these crimes, ultimately, because of the lack of moisture.
My favorite protective style is the curly bun. It’s quick (only takes 5 to 10 minutes), and it can be worn casually or in formal settings. As far as the best products to use for this style: water! I never add too much product because I feel it only causes more buildup, and honestly, it doesn’t really make a visible difference. Water helps with hydration and any minor detangling I might have to do. It also helps with refreshing the style later if needed. Along with water, I will add any hair oil I have on hand to aid in maintaining moisture and gel to help lay those edges.”