4 Easy Protective Styles You Can Do Yourself
Protective styles are dope because they allow you to give your kinks a break from the daily struggle, while also maintaining healthy hair.
Some natural haired girls swear by protective styling for length retention and hair growth and allow the styling method to replace the need for everyday manipulation and maintenance. And although sew-ins, box braids, crochet braids, Havana twists, and marley twists are holy grail protective style, I prefer quick and easy protective styles that I can do myself.
Below are 4 of my favorite protectives styles that you can easily do yourself.
Short Twists:
I love short twists because they're the perfect length to avoid any extra heat and easily maintain it. I also love how flexible you can get when it comes to styling. You can wear it in a ponytail, a bun, half up and half down, or out. And you can also untwist them and have the look of a bomb twist out when you're tired of the style.
Here's What You'll Need:
- Rubberbands
- Gel
- Twisting cream
- Hair accessories (optional)
How To Achieve This Style:
- First, start off with clean and blow dried hair.
- Next, section your hair. With this step, the smaller the section is, the more twists you'll be able to achieve. But, the bigger the section is, the bigger the twists will be. This is completely up to you.
- Then, apply a twisting cream and/or moisturizing gel to each section (from top to bottom). The gel is key for an extra hold and making sure your twists last longer. Be sure to brush the root so it's nice and neat.
- Add a rubberband to the top and/or bottom of each twist to make sure this style lasts a bit longer. I recommend using two rubberbands at the top of each twist. This way if you add oil or cream to your hair, you'll have extra backup.
- Next just twist and repeat for each section.
- Lastly, style and add accessories.
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Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage