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

Goddess Boho Braids

These flowing braids are everywhere; celebrities like Zoe Kravitz, Yara Shadihi, and Gabrielle Union love the versatile, volume-boosting style. The look is easily customizable thanks to the different types of braiding hair on the market. "They have so many different types of textured hair now that you can incorporate into the braids that [can give you] that fullness or the length," says Bowman. 

Organic braiding hair—like the plant-based Rebundle—provides a softer texture that goddess boho braid wearers love. It's also great for those who might have previously avoided braided extensions. "Added braided hair can be scratchy sometimes; that's why some people kind of stay away from it," says Bowman. Newer human hair options mimic natural hair better and provide a seamless look. "They have 4B and 4C textured hair now that you can actually buy in bulk," says Bowman, who wears them herself. 

Copper Braids

For many, summer means turning to a lighter shade. "[Many] people ask for copper or reddish braids in the summer," said Fleming. "The red, the copper, the blonde, and the brown, that's what [the clients] want," she says. And the best thing about opting for a colorful protective style? It's about as low-commitment as it gets—if you don't like the look, all you have to do is uninstall.

Fulani Braids

Lambert thinks the Fulani braids favored by Rihanna, Alicia Keys, and Joy Bryant will have a moment this season. "A lot of people are starting to ask for the Fulani braids," she says. They include a series of tribal-patterned cornrows inspired by the Fulani people in the front and can feature free-flowing hair or individual box braids in the back. Some wear the hair in the back in a top knot or a braided bun; Solange sported them in a high ponytail to a gala in 2022. 

Lambert notes that protective styles like Fulani braids help facilitate summer activities like swimming and kayaking. "We all want to get in the water and get out," she says.  

Knotless Braids with Curls

Knotless braids have become the go-to, and for good reason: "They're more lightweight, use less hair, and as the hair grows out, it gives it a more natural appearance," says Lambert. Plus, the style is better for your hair health: "You [can] pull it straight up into a ponytail without tension on your hairline," she says.

Fleming says adding curly hair to braids could be desirable for those looking to rock curls without maintaining a full head of them. "They can get braids and have that curly look in there without really committing," she says. 

Mini Twists

Fleming predicts that the influence of Tiktok's favorite auntie, Tabitha Brown, and Black Panther star Lupita Nyong'o will have everyone wearing mini twists this season. "The mini twist is very flexible, [and] you can style it in different ways," she explains. "You can wear it up. You can wear it down." 

Faux Locs

"We get a lot of Megan Good as inspo pictures when she has her faux locs in," Lambert tells us. The style, which features extensions wrapped around the natural hair to give the appearance of permanent locs, is especially popular in late summer. "[Clients] like to transition faux locs from the summer to fall," says Lambert.

Chunky Twists

Fleming sees two-strand twists staging a comeback. Unlike mini-twists, these are less crinkled. She says this style is especially appealing in the heat and humidity. "You don't have to worry about your roots looking crazy, because it's a style that's supposed to be nice and puffy," she notes.