23 Protective Styles and Ideas That’ll Legit Save Your Hair Right Now

Bravo, Storm Reid! This is what you call high payoff from minimal effort. Morphing small box braids into larger ones is not only a dope way to remix your protective style, but it’s also a great way to keep your braids fresh while also helping them last longer.

If you haven’t heard about knotless braids, where have you been? The braid style is way more gentle on your edges and we love how the hair extensions blend naturally into your hair. Just look, singer Jhene Aiko has nailed the knotless look with these jumbo box braids.

One of the best things about protective styles is they can be manipulated in a million ways. I can’t take my eyes off the twists and turns formed by these golden plaits on actress DeWanda Wise’s perfect head. One moment I see punk-rock-chic and the next I’m looking at a regal crown.

There’s nothing like a fresh set of straight-backs (especially on BFF-in-our-head Tracee Ellis Ross). While cornrows are often worn under hair units and weaves, they are also a stunning statement all on their own, especially for protective styling. Make sure to keep them fresh (not fuzzy) with a super secure satin scarf at night.

This look gets two thumbs buns up! Yup, actress Marsai Martin looks absolutely adorable in this double topknot protective style that’s totally Instagram-worthy. Furthermore, it’s the perfect go-to look when you want to give your box braids some new life.

While we love actress Zazie Beetz’s halo of curls, these badass bantu knots are equally beautiful. The best part about this protective style? They are also super easy to achieve—just part your hair, twist each section around itself, and secure with bobby pins or small elastics.

If you’re looking for an alternative to box braids, then feast your eyes on these glorious Senegalese twists. Actress Lupita Nyong’o looks like a golden goddess in the effortlessly chic protective style. Kick the style up a notch by creating a braided headband with the twists in the front.

Producer and director Ava Duvernay has the best locs in Hollywood. Period. This protective style is a true commitment (unless you opt for faux locs), but it’s definitely one worth making. I adore this side-swoop bang Ms. Duvernay created.

Actress Kiki Layne graced this red-carpet-ready style for the Oscars, but it can easily be dressed up or down. The protective style is a cool combination of braids—and you’ll love the waves left behind when you eventually unravel the look.

Come through, Kelis! Fulani braids are an ultimate nod to our African heritage and a mesmerizing way to serve a serious lewk. Gotta love how the “Milkshake” singer rocks the protective style with a fresh, makeup-less face. Glow, girl!

Who said box braids can’t be chic? Kelly Rowland nailed this sleek updo with a few honey-blonde highlights. You’ll want to rock this style on those hot summer days when the last thing you want are braids lying on the back of your neck.

Behold, Amandla Stenberg and her technicolored dream braids. One of the easiest ways to add personality to your protective style is to add colored hair or temporary hair color. Go a step further and knot them up for a fun 3D effect.

If you don’t have the patience to sit for box braids or other protective styles, then flat twists might be the look for you. Gabrielle Union knows what’s up! Plus, you only need a few twists to create a really impactful look.

Brandy is an icon when it comes to rocking braids. So it’s no surprise that she serves as a constant inspiration for how to wear the protective style in inventive ways. Here, she wraps the braids at the front of her forehead to create a turban-like effect. It will also hide any new growth once your braids start getting old. Genius!

Beads and braids are a match made in protective-style heaven. Alicia Keys proves that once again with these adorned Fulani braids that are seriously hot. Keeping the braids a short length will prevent the beads from weighing down your hair too much.

Comedian Amanda Seales is a modern-day mermaid in these protective fishtail braids. The high ponytail gives the look some extra drama and the golden blonde hue is perfection against her bronzed skin.

This protective style has all sorts of sass. The half-cornrow, half-box-braided look is stunning on Sanaa. Plus, you can easily pull the asymmetrical design to one side to create one jumbo braid, which will instantly switch up the vibe.

Bantu knots are anything but boring—especially this set on actress Cynthia Erivo. The white-hot color will definitely turn heads. And there’s no need to break out the bleach—simply wrap some platinum-hued Kanekalon braiding hair around your natural hair and you’re good to go!

Two words: boho chic. Locs are not only a classic protective style, but they also offer the type of laidback elegance that any gal can get behind. And if you’re a style chameleon like celebrity stylist June Ambrose, then you’ll love the versatility (read: noncommitment) of these towering faux locs.

These aren’t your average cornrows. Actress Tessa Thompson is donning a set of stitch straight-backs that are truly a work of art. The intricate parting gives this protective style a high level of sophistication.