Protective Styles

Top Left- Half wig (made) , Top Right- Creta Girl (half wig) by Freetress, Bottom Left- Senegalese Twists and Turban, Bottom Right- Box Braids

When you hear protective styles, some may say what are they? Others may say show me one! Well to those that are wondering, a protective style is a hairstyle that protects your hair from heat either direct or from the sun and over styling. Protective styles are beneficial to all hair types whether natural or permed. Of course heat damage is the main concern for most hair but naturals tend to keep away from heat; rarely do I use heat. However, protective styles help me maintain low manipulation for my hair when I feel like I may be styling it too much.

Top Left- Festive (half wig) by Freetress, Top Right- Braids w/ Marley Twist Up-do: Styled by Kelisha @mellowyell0w (IG) , Bottom Left- Marley Twists: Styled by Kelisha, Bottom Right- Senegalese Twists: Installed by @hairbeenatural (IG) , styled by Kelisha

 Protective styles range from everything from sew-ins to wigs, braids, turbans and anything in between that gives your hair a break from styling. Maintaining healthy hair is a concern for many; healthy hair promotes growing hair, fuller hair and moisture rich hair. Most of the ladies of JAE are natural meaning we have perm-free hair. Also most of our friends are too, so when we need a protective style idea, we all come in handy. We love our wigs, turbans, braids and other protective styles! Probably won’t catch us rocking anything but because we've all mastered our protective styles and are forever on the lookout for new ways to style our hair. I find styles I'm curious about off of YouTube and from experimenting with different looks. Not to say they all are easy because they surely are not. Just be creative!



Here’s a step by step guide on a natural Up-do (Youtube video below too):



Here's what you'll need: no metal hair ties, black rubber bands, olive oil ecostyler gel or any you prefer, oil or cream (I used elasta qp mango butter pictured) for added moisture, 3 packs of synthetic braiding hair, bobby pins, scarf, comb, brush and spray bottle (optional) with water and leave-in conditioner.

1) You can either start on wet or dry hair. If dry hair be sure to add moisture. Use a mixture of water and conditioner to add moisture. Never style hair dry unless it’s manageable, when dry it will be prone to breakage.



2) You can make one bun or two here I used two. Part hair into two sections.



3) Add water, cream or oils for moisture, and then add gel. Comb and brush hair to lay hair down especially smooth the edges.



4) Tie scarf to further smooth hair. Until dry or mostly.



5) Next, take synthetic hair out of the pack; leave the rubber band on it. Wrap rubber band around bun. Twist each section, add black rubber band on the ends to keep from unraveling and to keep in place.



6) Wrap hair around your bun to create the bun. Now use the bobby pins to pin it in place to secure it. Be sure to cover your hair and tuck in the ends.



7) Repeat the same with the top bun.



8) Now to add the drama, just twist hair every which way. To create the bang it’s definitely tricky at first but you'll manage once you notice the desired look you're going for. Pin in place with plenty of bobby pins, try to use them discreetly so that you cannot see them. However, be sure it’s very secure; definitely don't want it falling apart.


Enjoy this simple but yet elegant and creative protective style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aUXS1hu2JE&feature=youtu.be