So, you’re ready for a new you and you’re thinking about protective styling? Have you decided on a style? If not no worries, there’s an endless list of styles you can choose from, but first check out these 7 ways to protect your natural hair before protective styling.
These 7 simple ways to protect your natural hair will allow for maximum retention, ensuring less damage, prevent product buildup, dryness, and scalp itchiness while you have your protective style installed.
What is Protective Styling?
Now, before we get to the 7 ways to protect your natural hair before protective styling, let’s begin with what a protective style is. A protective style is a stress-free way to promote hair growth when it comes to your kinks and curls. This is done by tucking the roots and ends of your hair away, so they aren’t exposed to constant manipulation and weather changes with a hairstyle. Although each hairstyle is different, the point is it doesn’t require being restyled for a minimum of 4-6 weeks, which is the best way to benefit from this method.
What are types of Protective Styles?
Although box braids and twists seem to be the most popular of protective styles, here are a few others that are just as slay worthy:
- Buns
- French Braids
- Fish Tails
- Updos
- Cornrows
- Bantu Knots
- Weaves
- Wigs
- Crochet Braids
- Knotless Styles
- Twists with extensions
- Braids with extensions
If you need more ideas and inspirations, check out my Protective Styles Pinterest Board. There’s an endless pick of styles to choose from. Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s checkout these 7 ways to protect your natural hair before rocking that bomb ass style!
Photo credit Pexels
How to prep your hair for a protective style.
- Start with a fresh pallate by cleaning your hair with a sulfate free clarifying shampoo (with light to medium suds). This will ensure all product buildup or styling products have been removed from your scalp before rocking your new style. Some of my favorite clarifying shampoos are Apple Cider Vinegar/Baking Soda mix or Pureology, Ouidad and Acure.
- Next, Deep Condition your hair. It is so important to dig deep into those roots of yours before adding a protective style. Choose a protein rich deep conditioner like OBIA Naturals Babassau Hair Mask for repairing your hair, or protein free moisture rich Deep Conditioner by them as well for nourishing.
- Ok, my favorite, Moisturize your hair with a product that won’t leave your hair thirsty while in it’s protective style. This product highly depends on your porosity. Watch the video below about Hair Porosity. My favorite Moisturizer is Kinky Curly.
4. Seal in moisture. Any protective butter or light oil will do.
5. Stretch your hair. This can be done with or without heat.
6. This step I left for last because it can be a bit controversial, but TRIM your ends. Although it’s nice to trim your own ends when necessary, I feel every three months it’s important to go to a professional hair cuttery to fix strands and patterns you may not recognize. Single Strand Knots (SSK) are the worst, and cutting them makes for a healthier protective style.
7. Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for, choose a style that fits your everyday look and get installing it!
Need a visual of these 7 ways to protect your natural hair before protective styling? Check out the video below!
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If you want a successful hair journey with length and retention, just follow these 7 steps to better protective styling. Remember in between protective styles give your hair time to breath too!
Happy Styling,
