Hair

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:

@iamkrissylewis

xoNecole writer Krissy Lewis rocking the short twists style.


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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A Wig

Website

PeakMill donning one of her wigs.


This may be the easiest of them all. You can get a sew-in for longer wear, or you can throw it on and take it off at the end of the night.

Here's What You'll Need:

  • Your wig of choice
  • Got2Be glue
  • Concealer
  • Blow Dryer

How To Achieve This Style

  • First, you want to make sure your hair is braided in small to medium braids for the smoothest base possible.
  • Next, apply Got2Be glue on your forehead, not your hair.
  • Apply wig.
  • Then, use the blow dryer to make sure the gel is completely dried.
  • Add concealer to the wig's part just to make it look natural. You can do this before or after you apply your wig.
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Jumbo Bantu Knots:

@iamkrissylewis

xoNecole writer Krissy Lewis


Here's What You'll Need:

  • Rubberbands
  • Gel
  • Braiding Hair
  • Hot Water
  • Hair accessories (optional)

How To Achieve This Style:

  • First, start off with clean and blow dried hair.
  • Next, section your hair into big sections. Apply a moisturizing cream and moisturizing gel to each section (from root to ends). Make sure to brush the root so it's nice and neat.
  • Take one rubberband and put the braiding hair through the rubberband. If your hair isn't as thick, you'll want to use less braiding hair. If your hair is thicker, you'll want to add more so it matches the thickness of your hair.
  • Apply the rubberband WITH the braiding hair the same way you applied the first rubberband. Then, start to twist your hair with the braiding hair making one twist.
  • Once you have your twist, apply another rubber band to hold your twist.
  • Repeat this process for each section.
  • Once each section is twisted with braiding hair, dip your twist into hot water. You can also cut any hair sticking out to ensure neatness.
  • Once you've applied hot water, dry your hair and add accessories.
  • Lastly, wrap each twist around the rubberbands at the root of your hair and apply one more rubberband to keep it in place. Repeat this step and you're done.
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Ponytail With A Drawstring Ponytail:

Rayann410/YouTube

Rayann410 serving inches and looks for the gods!


I couldn't complete this list without a ponytail. This is one of my favorite protective styles. It's easy and it's super versatile.

Here's What You'll Need:

  • A drawstring ponytail
  • Gel
  • Brush
  • Satin scarf

How To Achieve This Style:

  • Start on freshly washed or stretched dried hair.
  • If you'd like a side part, sectioning your hair makes it easier to slick down and apply gel.
  • Take each section and apply your gel and brush your hair until it is as slick and laid as you like.
  • Once you've done that to each section, brush into one big ponytail (using more gel) and apply your ponytail holder.
  • Tie your scarf so that it only covers the front of your hair. Leave enough room to add your ponytail.
  • Use the string from your drawstring ponytail and apply.
  • Leave your scarf on for about 3-5 minutes to achieve a slicked texture and you are good to go.
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