split image of lotion swirling and model posing in front of red background

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.

jordyn woods wearing blonde boho braids
7 Braid Trends We Can't Wait to Wear This Year—From Braided Lobs to Micro Braids

woman with cornrows and curly ponytail
23 Braided Hairstyles for Curly Hair That Are Fresh and Elegant

model leomie anderson wearing knotless braids
Can You Wash Your Hair With Braids? We Asked Protective Style Experts to Weigh In

A woman with box braids pulled off her face in a half-up, half-down style
15 Box Braid Hairstyle Ideas to Switch Up Your Look

Celebrities with braids inspiration
28 Celebrity-Approved Braid Ideas to Inspire Your Next Protective Style

Protective Hairstyle Products
The 15 Best Products for Protective Styles, According to Hairstylists

Woman with Protective Hairstyle
7 Protective Style Trends You'll See Everywhere This Spring and Summer

Women with Protective Hairstyles and Styled Edges
How to Avoid Damaging Your Hair While Wearing Protective Styles, According to Hairstylists

megan thee stallion wearing black hd full lace wig
How to Flawlessly Install a Wig—Straight from Celebrity Hairstylists

tamera mowry wearing goddess locs
Goddess Locs are a Gorgeous Protective Style—Here's How to Get the Look

Alicia Keys with her hair braided and bejeweled
Alicia Keys Has Always Been the Blueprint for Braids—These 17 Styles Prove It

Close up of a heart braided into the side of a woman's cornrowed hair
Cornrow Heart Braids Are the Cutest Way to Accent the Protective Style

zaya wade wearing french curl braids
French Curl Braids Are a Fun Twist on the Classic Protective Style

Zaya Wade with knotless box braids curled at the end
15 Curly Braid Hairstyles That Put a Fun Spin on the Look

solange knowles wearing microbraids
Micro Braids Are Having a Moment Again—Here are 12 Ways to Wear the Style

leigh anne pinnock with green braids
10 Cool Ways to Wear Long Box Braids With Color

Brooke Devard
Flippy, Braided Bobs Are a Fresh Take on the Classic '90s Style

Woman with Faux Locs
Faux Locs Are the Perfect Protective Style—Here's What You Need to Know

@jaydacheaves with braids / Instagram
9 TikTok-Approved Braid Styles You Should Try This Summer

raindrop braids bethany nche
TikTok Says Raindrop Braids Are the Official Protective Style of Summer

The actor Yara Shahidi with twisted out hair
Braid-Outs vs. Twist-Outs: Which Style Is Right For You?

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

Women with Protective Hairstyles
31 Protective Styles for Black Hair—From Knotless Braids to Faux Locs

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

A woman with the sun hitting her face and locs in her hair
How Long Does It Take Hair to Loc? We Asked Natural Hair Stylists

Side profile of a woman with long braids, hand on her chin, eyes closed
8 Tips for Braids That Are Too Tight, Straight From Hair Pros

Tessa Thompson with Marley twists
21 Gorgeous Marley Twist Styles for Natural Hair

feed in braids
34 Feed-In Braid Examples to Refresh Your Look

Close up of model Adwoa Aboah, her hair in straight back cornrows with plaits at her ears
40 Stunning Cornrow Hairstyles to Show Your Stylist

Black woman with box braids
The Fascinating History of Braids You Never Knew About

locs
The Complete Guide to Locs: The Benefits, History, and Maintenance

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

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

Woman wearing cornrows standing against a wall.
How to Cornrow Your Own Hair at Home, According to Experts

lemonade braids
40 Stunning Lemonade Braids Inspired by Beyoncé

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

woman with twist out hairstyle
10 Twist Out Tips to Maintain Your Curls for Longer

Jasmine Sanders, Gabrielle Union, and Ciara with Braided Hairstyles for Long Hair
33 Long, Braided Hairstyles That You'll Want to Try Out ASAP

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

Close up of woman's side profile with large flat twists
How to Do Your Own Flat Twists, According to Stylists

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 Patterns for Crochet Braids Are True Artistry

Celebrities with Protective Hairstyles
25 Beautiful Protective Styles for Short Hair

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

woman
11 Diverse Hairstyles To Save For Starting a Locs Journey

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
36 Ways to Wear Senegalese Twists

garielle union
21 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
Ready for Crochet Braids?: The Benefits, Care, and More

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