Protective Hairstyles

Protective hairstyles work well to prevent damage and help with hair health and growth. From twists, cornrows, weaves, locs, bantu knots, and more, read on for expert-approved techniques for all your favorite protective styles.

Close up of a woman with a Bantu knot-out hairstyle
How to Create Your Best Bantu Knot-Out Yet, Straight From the Pros

The actor Yara Shahidi with twisted out hair
Braid-Outs and Twist-Outs Are Similar Styles—With Some Key Differences

Amanda Stenberg with bobbed purple box braids
14 Purple Box Braid Looks That Show Just How Versatile the Color Can Be

woman with looped braids
Loop Braids Are the Easiest, Celeb-Approved Fall Hair Trend

lisa bonet
The 5 Stages of Locs: What to Expect During the Process

woman
Considering Sisterlocks? From Cost to Upkeep, Here's What You Should Know

Back view of long passion twists by creator Kailyn Rogers
What Are Passion Twists? A Guide to the Stunning Natural Hairstyle

Model wearing two-strand twists
Two-Strand Twists Are One of the Easiest—and Healthiest—Protective Styles

Portrait of young woma
35 Protective Styles for Black Hair

Chloe Bailey and Halle Bailey
12 Loc'd Hairstyles That Are Jaw-Droppingly Gorgeous

woman
How Long Does It Take Hair to Loc?

woman
What Can I Do About Braids That Are Too Tight? Hair Experts Explain

woman with marley twists
18 Marley Twists Looks for Natural Hair

feed in braids
27 Stunning Examples of Feed-In Braids

woman
40 Stunning Cornrow Hairstyles to Scroll Through

woman with braided bun
The Fascinating History of Braids You Never Knew About

locs
What to Know About Dreadlocks: A Guide

Actress Marsai Martin with a short box braid bob.
18 Short Box Braids Styles To Try Right Now

person with red box braids
14 Dope Red Box Braid Styles to Inspire Your Next Appointment

6 Products for Defined, Frizz-Free Twist-Outs

box braids
What Are Box Braids? From Prep to Maintenance, Everything You Need to Know

Woman wearing cornrows standing against a wall.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Braiding Cornrows

lemonade braids
35 Stunning Braids Inspired by Beyoncé's Iconic Lemonade Album

woman wearing short twist hairstyle with brown beads
24 Low-Maintenance, Twist Hairstyles to Try Right Now

Smiling WOC with A Twist-Out Natural Hair Style
How to Make Your Twist-Out Last Longer

Janelle Monae (left) and Issa Rae (right) with braided hairstyles
25 Braided Hairstyles for Long Hair That You'll Want to Try Out ASAP

bantu
A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Bantu Knots

Neat, side flat twists
Flat Twist Your Hair for a Gorgeous Look Using These Simple Steps

keke palmer
Thinking About Havana Twists? Let This Be Your Guide

goddess braids
If These Photos Don't Convince You to Get Goddess Braids, Nothing Will

Neon yellow yarn twists
21 Yarn Twist Styles to Fit Any Mood or Occasion

cornrows illustration
The Beautiful, Black History of Cornrows

crochet braid pattern
These Classic Crochet Braid Patterns Are True Artistry

woman with protective hairstyle
20 Beautiful Protective Styles for Short Hair

Actress Laura Harrier with a braided updo
9 Braided Bun Hairstyles We Found While Stalking Instagram

Mini twists
Mini Twists: How to Create the Protective Style On Any Hair Length

woman
Different Styles for Starting Locs

locs
Boho Locs Is the Best Brand of Crochet Locs I've Ever Tried, Hands Down

closeup box braids with puka shells
All the Large Box Braid Inspo Your IG Feed Is Missing

long braids portrait
20 Stunning Braided Hairstyles for Natural Hair

woman wearing Senegalese twists
31 Ways to Wear Senegalese Twists

garielle union
16 Gorgeous Fulani Braid Looks to Try ASAP

Ella Mai with a sew-in hairstyle.
22 Sew-In Hairstyles to Show Your Stylist ASAP

post-weave care
How to Avoid Post-Weave Matting
Young Black woman with braids
Crochet Braids: Everything You Need to Know
bob braids
14 Bob Braid Styles for Every Personality

diy locs
Looking to DIY Your Locs? Here's Where to Start

Kiki Layne wearing Bantu knots.
24 Bantu Knot Hairstyles That Are Seriously Inspiring

woman with spring twist short hair
Spring Twists 101: What to Know About the Protective Style

braids
17 Beautiful Braided Hairstyles for Natural and Relaxed Hair

Willow Smith
Are Your Locs Falling Out? Find Out What You Can Do

yarn braids
Yarn Braids Are Trending 145% on Pinterest

byrdie senior social editor star donaldson poses for a photo wearing a wig for crowned
The History Of Wigs Is Rooted In Culture, Expression, and Identity

two women with natural goddess braids
Natural Hair Goddess Braids Are All Over TikTok

woman with bantu knots
The History Of Bantu Knots Is Important To Know

4 Ways to Keep Your Scalp Healthy and Dandruff-Free During Protective Styles

Hair for the Girls Kinks Headband Wig
What Are Headband Wigs? A Guide to the Easy and Effortless Protective Style

crochet braids
Crochet Braids: Unraveling One of the Most Versatile Protective Styling Methods

bianca lambert in bantu knots
Bantu Knots and Reaffirming the Worthiness of My Black Beauty

Braided images
On Braids as an Art Form