The maintenance required to take care of your natural hair can be overwhelming. While the end results are beautiful displays of your curl pattern and many compliments from others, it could have taken you nearly 3 hours each day to reach that point of beauty. Or maybe you have shorter hair, so it’s not a matter of time, but a lack of skill in knowing how to style your hair. One way to lessen the time you put aside for your hair, while continuing to take care of it, is to use protective styles. The beauty of using protective styles is that your options are limitless. Within each category that I list, there are 2-4 other subcategories of options within them. Are you skeptical? Keep reading to see the potential protective style options available to you, ranging from hair extensions to twist outs.

 

Hair Extensions:

Clip Ins: Clip ins are a simple choice to use as a protective style. They are quick and easy to put in your hair. This would work best for the moments you flat iron your hair and want a few more inches or a fuller look. You can match clip ins with a color close to your own to be sure it maintains a natural look. Clips ins have been around for a long time and are universally used by people around the world. You can never go wrong with clip ins, just be sure to install them in properly.

Sew Ins: Sew ins provide a great look, as you can decide what length you want to rock. The hair bundles take a couple of hours to be installed, but after installed, it can last for a few months. The couple of hours are worth the time that you will be able to maintain the hair. Although bundled hair extensions are still a lot of work, the maintenance level is much less. Utilizing edge control and a flat iron or curling wand, sew ins will give you that bang for your buck.

Wigs: Wigs are another quick option. The type of wigs that you can purchase are limitless. There are natural hair wigs, lace fronts, half wigs, synthetic hair, virgin hair, and many more. Wigs are also an option that has been around for a long time. The benefits extend to the various lengths and styles that can be purchased. You can purchase a long, short, medium, bob, colored, curly, or straight wig. It’s as easy as one, two, three when switching from your wigs to your natural hair from day to day.

This form of protective style can give you a longer, fuller natural hair appearance without having to wait months for the growth. Half wigs allow partial coverage while still having your natural hair exposed, just be sure to blend correctly so the wig goes unnoticed. Lace front wigs come with lace to be able to properly align it onto your head and to prevent your wig cap from showing.  Synthetic hair wigs are wigs made with fake hair and virgin hair wigs are made with human hair. Many social media influencers make wigs and sell them from their homes, which means they have become accessible nearly everywhere.

Braids: Like sew ins, braids may take a few hours to install, but can last for a few months as well. This is another protective style that you will want to use a generous amount of edge control to maintain. It’s simple to wash your hair with braids by focusing on washing your scalp and rinsing the length of the braids thoroughly.

Crochet: Crocheting is a technique that uses a needle to install faux locs, Marley hair, sengelease twists, or whatever options are available in the store for hair extensions at the time. Crocheting does not take nearly as long as braids or sow ins. It simplifies the process dramatically. Be sure that the pack you purchase is compatible with the technique.

Twist Outs: The types of twist outs that people have created are endless. There are two strand twists, three strand twists, flexi rods, the shingling method, and many others. For two and three strand twists, you simply need moisturizer and the ability to grab two or three strands of your hair and twist them. For flexi rod styles, you will need to have a styling foam and flexi rods and then apply them to your hair in the same way that you would apply curlers. The shingling method is when you use moisturizer and pull at single strands of your hair to create single, small curls. This style takes a long time, but will allow you to fully see your curl pattern and wear it out until it is wash day again.

 

Protective styles give you a break from maintaining your own natural hair. It gives you a chance to apply edge control and continue about your day. With all the protective styles listed, it is important to use coverage at night, whether a scarf, bonnet, or satin pillow to prevent frizz. In addition, be sure to purchase all the necessary items to ensure you maintain the style for as long as possible before your next wash day. Get your money’s worth while keeping up with the proper care for your hair. YouTube videos have become the new way to learn all about natural hair and the numerous protective styles. If you would like to learn how to install one of these methods in your hair, you can check out relevant hair tutorials. If you prefer to get your hair done the old fashion way, contact your nearest beauty salon or your last stylist to see what prices they will offer for your installation. Some hair stylist can do twists outs as well, as there is a much higher demand for people needing help with their natural hair. If you prefer to learn these styles on your own, the internet has a plethora of options available for you with detailed tutorials.