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21 Protective Styles for Natural Hair Braids

You wanna see CUTE protective styles for natural hair braids?

You're in the right place, because we'll show you 21 example braided hairstyles for natural hair without weave and you can go to our article about growing hair with box braids too!.

And we also throw in a BONUS SECTION with a few protective hairstyles for natural hair with weave, using only the best brands of extension hair. So look....

What Are Protective Hairstyles?

"Protective styling" is a common phrase known by nearly every natural hair Black woman, whether we're talking about protective hairstyles for transitioning hair or for long established hair, the focus is meant to be to protect or boost hair health.

TRUE protective styles allow you to avoid too much manual manipulation, and gives you time to baby your hair & scalp with premium growth treatment serums. 

But what truly qualifies a braid hairstyles for Black women as protective? Is there a such thing as protective styles with hair extensions weaved in?? 

Well:

A real protective style at its core is simply a hairstyle that protects your hair's ends from damage, which helps fight shedding and breakage as well as make your detangling sessions less of a battle.

True protective hairstyles keep your ends from being exposed to the elements while letting your hair sit healthily stretched in a detangled state.

For example, once you have properly detangled your hair and pull it into a ponytail, you can then twist down your ponytail and pin it into a bun. This helps to promote hair growth and retain length on kinky curly Black natural hair. Updo buns and natural hair braids are popular and common protective hairstyles.

Some of The Best Protective Styles for Natural Hair

These braid styles protect while being simpler, easy to maintain look while also chic and current fashion:

• Medium Box Braids
• Double Bun Braids
• Bantu Knots (which can evolve into a cute bantu knot out!)
• Flat Twists
• Box Braid Bun
• Halo Braid
• Braided Bob
• Ghana Braid Swirl.

Protective Styles for Natural Hair Braids Without Weave

Protective styles for natural hair braids like the one above are ideal for wedding and bridal party styles. And look...

If you are in a bridal party or having a wedding shower, you should check out our melanin shirts for your special occasions, our Black. Girl. Magic. Periodt Bridal party shirts are perfect for big moments among friends and family..

These braided bun updos make attractive and low-maintenance protective hairstyles for natural hair growth without weave.

If you've ever had one, you can tell the world your experience by sharing your natural hair journey on this website with your own blog article.

BTW, you should take our 4C Hair Help survey, it's quick and easy...

The protective styles for natural hair braids that bundle up on top are great for winter school days for little girls.

The above natural protecive style was silk pressed with a high-quality flat iron first, then neatly braided into this wrapping crown halo bun updo that is made for a princess and perfect as a wedding hairstyle.

Doesn't she look like the princess of Zamunda? Ha!

It's elegant and gorgeous all while protecting her ends from damage.

This is a cute and clean kids protective style for natural hair, this is a style for longer hair though.

You'll have to find another option if you're looking for little Black girl natural hairstyles with short hair.

This braided mohawk look is one of the unique protective styles for natural hair braids that you rarely see in person.

Why not? I don't know...

Good thing though, it's a perfect style for you to show some some personality and not have a bunch of women wearing the same hairstyle.

Protective styles for natural hair braids like this require very long hair, can also be done with long extension hair if you choose.

These cornrows for natural hair growth are amazing and homegirl's edges are laid to the fullest, and although she has a softer grade of hair than 4c natural, this could definitely be worn on type 4 hair too!

The above hairstyle is versatile, because it's elegant enough to serves as protective hairstyles for black women in bridal showers and wedding and also simple enough to be worn be little girls.

I am in LOVE with halo hairstyles for Black hair, they are great for formal events and are appropriate all year round, they are especially cute summer protective styles for natural hair weddings.

This above style makes quick and easy protective styles for 4C hair that are great for date nights, anniversary parties and overall hair protection.

And although the edges in the above photo look heavenly (maybe even touched-up), just be sure to use the best edge control for coarse 4c hair.

This updo with twisted layered bangs makes a neat and trendy winter protective style for 4C hair.

These double crown braids are PURE PRINCESS STATUS! Princess crown bridal styles are also perfect for vacation cruise and special outings.

This has been mistakenly termed a "cornrow wedding style", it's not though. They look amazing for walking down the aisle.

She is doing a great job of protecting her medium length hair in braids.

These chunky twists are too die for! Great for swimming as well.

Bonus: Protective Hairstyles for Natural Hair with Weave

This box braid style with extension weave hair makes good protective hairstyles for short hair because it covers your ends, keep your hair protected from the harsh climates and gives your hair a chance to grow while protected.

 I hope you enjoy and even try these quick braiding styles, some of these are designed to serve as protective hairstyles for transitioning hair and protective hairstyles for natural hair growth.

And here's a list of some of the most popular protective hairstyles for natural hair with weave:

• Senegalese Twists
• Vixen Crotchet
• Curly Faux Locs
• Crotchet with straight hair
• Braidless Crotchet Braids
• Natural Hair Wig
• Box Braids
• Marley Twists

 And remember:

This website focuses on natural hair, so protective styles for natural hair braids is what we are excited to show you, but if you happen to be permed, many of these natural Black hairstyle also make cute protective hairstyles for relaxed hair as well.

Growth Products for Protective Styles for Natural Hair Braids

As with any natural hairstyle, your best results start with healthy and hydrated hair. Here are MoroccanOil brand professional result products.

Be warned:

The MoroccanOil oils are super high-quality and the cost reflects that (especially the "big" bottle), although a little goes a long way. 

• Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo - For all types of hair
• TGIN Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner For Natural Hair - For ALL type 4's
• Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque - For types 3C-to-4C
• Aunt Jackie's Flaxseed Fix My Hair Intensive Masque - Best 4C choice!
• Moroccanoil Natural Hair Treatment Oil -  (READ THE REVIEWS!)

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