There has been a long standing myth among the natural hair community that the only way to grow long healthy hair is to use protective hairstyles. For those new to the natural hair community, protective styling involves putting your hair into a style that involves tucking your ends away from the atmosphere to protect them from damage whilst your hair grows. The premise is that if the ends of your hair don’t break and your hair continues to grow, then you will achieve longer hair.

This myth is so deeply entrenched in the natural hair community that women will often do back to back protective style for upwards of a year to reach their hair goals. Now don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of women who have achieved amazing lengths from protective styling, but there are a few women who never yield results from all their efforts.

Problems Caused by Too Much Protective Styling: 

• TANGLING from hair being untouched for long periods of time. This especially occurs in styles that take so long to put in that the mere thought of taking them down after only a few days seems like a waste. Thus, those women decide to leave in those styles for weeks.
• DRYNESS from hair that is left untouched and uncared for for too long
• BREAKAGE from over manipulating the hair to create elaborate hairstyles

Loose twists are a versatile long term style that can help you retain more hair length. They require very little upkeep and look great on medium to long length natural hair. Love the look of locs but not too crazy about the commitment? This style is for you!

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When it comes to curly hair, the possibilities are endless in terms of styles. An updo is one of the best ways to protect your hair from damage while still looking great. Here are a few of my favorite natural updos.

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Zara writes:
I'd like to share this vid of Nicola talking about her super durable, gray crochet braid style! The hair is from "Latched + Hooked" and is super easy to use! Next time, I'll probably help her with the install!

I first created this super easy high bun for my maternity photo shoot, inspired by a style I saw on the beautiful Cassandra Beccai. Since then, it has easily become one of my go-to styles and the one I get the most compliments on. Today, I’m SO excited to finally share this high bun tutorial with you!s

Zara writes:

Here is a vid demonstrating how I slay this super easy closure wig. I needed a cute protective style that would take little effort to accomplish and also cause no tension. This natural hair texture wig was the answer! Perfect for every hair type and takes less than 2 hours to complete!

This is the perfect look for the holidays! Watch as NaturallyElite shows you how to achieve a curly bang and top knot on your natural hair!

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Many have asked the question, how can you enjoy your hair if it’s always tied up in protective styles. My response: because it makes life easier. Protective styling is constantly encouraged, especially among type 4 natural with coily hair types because it has the benefit of helping you retain length, but it also comes with more advantages:

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Naturally Elite writes:

Naturally Elite writes:

I will show you how to get this QUICK, EASY, AND PAINLESS PUFF!!!

I usually do a puff on an old twist-out to get more wear out of my hair before I have to Co-Wash. It's the quickest hairstyle you will ever learn as a natural. Enjoy!

Even before starting my natural hair journey 8 years ago, being able to put my hair in a bun was the basic requirement of any hairstyle or hair cut I wanted to get. I was considering a major haircut recently, but my responsible hair stylist refused because she knows how much I love the option of putting my hair in a bun at any given moment. We see it on t-shirts and coffee bugs – people are about that #BunLife. Whether you are using your own hair or hair extensions to create the style, wearing it messy or super sleek, bun styles are easy to do and fitting for any occasion. For me, the bigger the better!

Here are 7 easy jumbo bun styles that you can try yourself, or ask your hair stylist to create for you.

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As a part of the transitioning process or just to protect your luscious curls from the harsh weather and over manipulation, protective styles such as braids, twists, buns, bantu knots, up-do’s, etc.  can be very beneficial. But, if not maintained properly can cause extreme breakage. Since most transitioning and natural beauties seek these styles because they are low maintenance and are considered to be a “break” from daily handling, you may fall into the temptation of not caring for your hair, which will later result in breakage.

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Protective styling is known as a style that helps to protect your hair and ends from the everyday elements. A protective style does not require much manipulation such as combing, brushing and pulling of your hair. I love wearing protective styles all year round.

If you have been keeping up with me, you know that I have been protective styling all summer. The reason that I have chosen to wear protective styles this summer is because I am trying to help my hair grow and retain length, and I’m just not feeling my natural hair right now. Due to a few reasons my hair just has not been super healthy like it should be. I talked about how I had to learn all over again how to care for my natural hair post baby, here.

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Planning a wedding is tedious, time-consuming and takes all of your energy to go smoothly. While many natural hair brides have opted for straight styles in the past, more are donning their natural beauty with pride.

Do you have a wedding or other formal event to attend and are clueless about how to style your natural hair? If so, this article is just for you. We often hear naturals complain about how difficult it is to style their hair for dressy, black-tie events and honestly, it shouldn't be. Even though having natural hair comes with its own set of challenges, creating a stylish, sophisticated look isn’t one of them.

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Watch as Shekia Renea shows us how she installs crochet braids quickly and easily using Jamaican Bounce Pre-Curled Hair!  Enjoy!

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Braids are one of the most popular protective styles in the natural hair community. I personally have been wearing braids for years to retain length and to abstain from over-manipulating my hair.
If you’ve never done your own braids and would like to learn, just remember that practice makes perfect. You might not get it on the first try but don’t give up! Trust me, the money you keep in your pocket from doing your own hair is well worth the effort.

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Special occasions may call for you to have a sleek style or you may simply just want to change things up with a different look. Luckily you do not have to sacrifice your hair’s health as you can achieve a sleek look without using heat at all.

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Check out Doyin Badewa's quick and easy natural hair summer styles! Enjoy!

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Ok… let’s talk headbands, puffs and such.

Have you seen this meme floating around on the socials?


Ladies, while that meme is hilarious (and truthful!), we’ve got to stop this! Yes, we women love to joke about the cost of beauty and the things we put ourselves through to look good, but headbands don’t come with a bottle of aspirin, nor should they. Believe it or not, you CAN achieve a cute puff without having to rock back and forth repeating “beauty is pain… beauty is pain…!” for some solace. This is a dangerous but definitely avoidable situation.

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