Weatherizing Your Hair with Protective Styles

Monday Oct 12, 2009 – by Laquita Thomas-Banks

Protective ‘low manipulation’ hairstyles reduce the amount of hair breakage, aid in length retention and protect against split ends. Braids, cornrows, twists, buns, updos, wigs and even headwraps can be worn to protect your hair for the upcoming winter weather. Last year, I embarked on a journey of wearing my hair in protective styles for an entire year. From August of ’08 to August of ’09 I wore protective styles which helped me achieve much healthier hair and I retained about five inches of growth.

Although I don’t plan on doing this again, this upcoming fall/winter season I plan on wearing protective styles, but this time instead of wearing just plain box braids or two-strand twists, I plan to wear more styles. I decided to make a protective hairstyle guide for myself and others who are looking for protective style ideas. The following YouTube videos consists of some simple and intricate styles that can be done on short or long hair, and most have step-by-step instructions.

Box Braids

By: Dancer Mickey

Bantu Knot-Out for Twists

By: Monicajoi

Flat Twists

By: Kinky Hair Blog

Straw Set by Chi-Chi

By: Glamazini

Straw Set on Short Locs

By: Miel001

Updos/Buns

Sock Bun

By: Shebapearl

Coil Bun w/sticks

By: Mwedzi

French Braid

By: BeautifulBrwnBabyDol

Loc Styles

Simple Loc Updo

By: Chescaleigh

Long Locs Basket Weave

By: Shawnta715

Short Locs Basket Weave

By: Nappystar25

Extensions/Wigs/Weave

Extensions – Kinky Twists

By: Ladyair22

Yarn Braids

By: Chocolatetresses

Micros w/Sew-in

By: PhliyDiva18154

More Styles:

Curling Box Braids: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyCBWYZj3ZA

Straw Sets/Finger Coils/Finger Coils, By: Ladykpnyc: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjdcJIKIRjg

Twists/Sister/Rope Twists, By: Kinky Hair Blog: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZXZhZZjh0E

Three Strand Twists, By: BreBre83: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjwWanR65Pg

Headwraps, By: Fauryn78: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RORRQ0vVYZs

Basic Bun Headwrap, By: AvaAmin: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wso-IGwjVOw

Wigs, By: Chappy2468: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zFRIWyqoiw

When taking a break from wearing protective styles and wearing your hair loose, remember to keep your ends moisturized. For those with longer hair, in colder seasons protect your ends by wearing silk or satin scarves around your shoulders to keep your ends from rubbing against wool coats and cotton sweaters. Remember, cotton absorbs moisture and also snags your hair, therefore at night use a silk/satin scarf, bonnet or pillow case. Make sure that the hats you wear have a silk or satin lining or wear a silk/satin scarf underneath them.

BamBooHoney says:

October 13, 2009 at 8:10 pm

Excellent links!

I like the sock bun video, the lady was awesome and very beautiful. The only thing I would do different is saturate my hair and the bun with a conditioner or leave-in conditioner.

↑ Reply

Pearlsrevealed says:

October 13, 2009 at 10:22 pm

OMG! Thanks for your research LaQuita. Many thank-you’s to the sisters who took the time to educate us on their technique.

LAUGHING OUT LOUD says:

October 14, 2009 at 6:15 pm

thank you, i live n the mountains so i really need some hairstyles since wen its winter i can’t do wash n go’s

de says:

October 15, 2009 at 7:55 pm

If you want more grow hair techniques also go to longhaircareforum.com.
I swear I grew about 5 inches of hair in one year by wearing protective styles and going natural. I cut my hair again into a HB cut and now I am growing it out again. And I will be Protective styling my hair for another year. It works!!!

ms. complexity says:

October 28, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Great videos…thanks for posting!!!

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