It’s that time of the year when you have chapped lips, dry skin, and experience hair breakage. With the impending dry season, you need to start thinking of protective hairstyles that will moisturize and strengthen your hair even as the temperature drops. Harmattan dries the hair, leading to dehydration and split ends. With protective hairstyles, you can boost hair growth and reduce damage caused by elements such as sun, cold, heat, etc.
Below are our favorite protective hairstyles for the forthcoming dry season. Feel free to recreate them and have a spin-off.
Faux Locs
What’s a fun and versatile way to wear your hair than rocking faux locs? The protective style covers your natural hair, preventing it from breakage. To achieve this hairstyle, the hair is braided with a coarse extension wrapped around the braid. You can also crochet the locs on the cornrows. Typically, you can wear the low-maintenance hairstyle for about 8 weeks or more. From hearsays, there are claims that this hairdo may hurt while twisting locs. Nevertheless, reviews have it that faux locs get more beautiful as they are older. This is one hairstyle you should consider if you’re looking for a protective hairdo to rock during the winter.
Braids
Braids are popular go-to hair options anytime, any day. Whether box braid, ombre braids, or bob braids, braids give a sleek look that makes you be the cynosure of every eye. You can decide to experiment with different colours and lengths, depending on your preference. Furthermore, you can style your braids or beautiful them with accessories like tribal beads and braid cuffs. Braids are low maintenance and suit everyone. No hairstyle screams winter-like braids.
Wigs
Have a bad hair day? You might want to throw on a wig. Wigs are perfect for the dry season since they protect the hair against harsh weather conditions and help lock in moisture. You can wear cornrows or leave your hair unmade before wearing wigs. Not only will your hair breathe, wigs also support hair grooming as well. They also promote healthy and strong hair. You can opt for wigs with closures or frontals. With wigs, you won’t have to worry about styling your hair. Consider choosing a wig that is easy to style and brush. Pop it on and be on the go.
Weave-ons
Like wigs, weave-ons cover the hair and supports hair growth. As it’s said, variety is the spice of life. Weave-ons allow for versatility. You might want to take your hair game to the next level with hair weaves. This hairdo involves braiding hair into cornrows with extension hair added in wefts. The extension hair conceals your natural hair, shielding it from heat and other elements. Sew-in weaves prevent split ends and breakage.
Crochets
Crochets have become mainstream in recent times. You can never go wrong with it as it’s never out of trend. While there are various options to choose from, there’s a style for everyone. Crochet braids are known to last longer and are easy to style. They’re also easy to install. You can even fix these braids by yourself. If you’re a naturalist, you’ll like this hairstyle. You can change the color, texture, style, and length of your crochets without having to worry about losing your natural curls.
Ponytail
If you’re not big on braids, you might want to consider a ponytail. You can wear this style for about 2 weeks. It’s a protective style to shield your ends from breaking. You can switch up your look by adding texture and volume to your ponytail. For a chic and classy look, add some sleek strands to your ponytail. Ensure the ponytail isn’t too tight as it can cause tension on the scalp. Do you have short hair? Curly fro ponytail will be a suitable option as the style doesn’t require much hair. Apply hair pomade or gel and brush your hair upwards and backwards. For an extra touch, style your baby’s hairs.
Marley Twists
While this style has been in fashion for long, it still serves a purpose. Besides protecting your hair, Marley Twists help moisturize strands. You can use your natural hair or extensions for this style. Upon removing the two-strand twist, you’re left with a beautiful curl fro which you cm rock for a while.
Flat Twists
A combination of Bantu knots and twists, Flat twists are proof that you can wear protective styles in different ways. If you’re short of style inspo, you should consider these twists. You can decide to style your twists to the side, back, into low bun, pigtails, or ponytail. Though similar to cornrows, flat Twists seems easier to style. To hold your thick hair in place, you can accessorize with butterfly clips or scrunchies. If you have short hair, a flat twist updo will be a good option. Start twist from the nape of your neck and leave some hair loose.
Bantu Knots
Whether you’ve got short or long hair, you can style it into protective buns. Bantu knots are cute, easy to style, and cool. Part your hair into sections and twist them into buns using a styling gel or hair pomade. For extra security, twirl the ends of your hair into the base of the knots. When you lose these knots, you’re left with intricately defined coils.
Plaited Updo
Embrace royalty with this hairstyle. The plaited Updo isn’t only regal; it keeps you in awe and gives you a nostalgic feeling about your heritage. Inspired by the Yoruba culture, this plaited updo was usually worn by our forefathers, who devised a means of maintaining their natural locks. Plaited updo is now upgraded into different styles like double crown braid, braided top knot, etc.
Hair Wrap
This is an often-overlooked protective style. You can plait your hair or style your hair into a loose ponytail, then wrap it up in a headscarf. Wearing this look, you don’t have to make your hair. For that chic look, have your hair wrapped in a scarf. Glam up your appearance by trying out different colours and patterns.
Which hairstyle are you rocking this season? Share with us in the comments box.
