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21 Protective Styles for Natural Hair Braids

protective styles for natural hair braids at NaturalHair-Products.com w/ Melissa Lee. Quick & easy wedding hairstyles, bridal crochet,short to long Black womens 4c hair. See latest...

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

See more protective styles for natural hair braids, great updo for vacation. great for swimming too. Leave it in long term for summer or winter. You'll see...

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

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See more medium-length to long protective styles for natural hair braids.. Easy style for Black women and for kids in school. See how low maintenance your hair can...Protective styles for natural hair braids

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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...

You'll love these protective styles for natural hair braids without weave or extensions. Get professional salon ideas, also see faux loc, crochet braids and you'll adore this super fast...

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

Click for protective styles for natural hair braids the latest hairstyle wedding hairstyles are easy, quick. See updos on medium length to short hair, elegant styles with no weave, also grab...

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.

Click for protective styles for natural hair braids the latest hairstyle kids hairstyles are easy, quick. See updos on medium length to short hair, simple styles with no weave, also grab...

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.

Click for protective styles for natural hair braids the latest hairstyle kids hairstyles are easy, quick. See updos on medium length to short hair, simple styles with no weave, also grab...

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.

Click for protective styles for natural hair braids the latest hairstyle kids hairstyles are easy, quick. See updos on medium length to long hair, simple styles with no weave edges, also grab...

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

Click for cute protective styles for natural hair braids the latest hairstyle kids hairstyles are easy, quick. See updos on medium length to long hair, simple styles with no weave edges, also grab...Protective styles for natural hair braids...

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!

Join NHP-HIVE and get sent our info-packed, down-to-earth & sometimes funny NHP hair tutorials by email. SIGN UP HERE...

Click for more protective styles for natural hair braids the latest hairstyle kids hairstyles are easy, quick. See updos on medium length to long 3C hair, simple styles no weave edges, also grab...

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.

Click for protective styles for natural hair braids latest hairstyle halo braids for black women weddings. See updos on medium length to long hair, simple styles with no weave edges, also grab...I'm *sooooo DOWN* with this protective style!

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.

Click for protective styles for natural hair braids 4c, the latest hairstyles bridal looks for black women weddings. See updos kinky curly hair, simple styles with no weave edges, also grab...

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.

Click for protective styles for natural hair braids latest hairstyle twists cornrows for black women. See updos on medium length to long hair, simple styles with no weave & cute edges, also grab...Long protective styles for natural hair braids!

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Upswept Updo with Twisted Layered Bangs. The shorter layered twists look great, it’s a perfect example of modern easy protective hairstyles. Super cute and you can...

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

Click for protective styles for natural hair braids latest hairstyle elegant bridal for black women. See updos on medium length to long hair, simple wedding hairstyles & cute edges, also grab...


Sharing 21 super cute bridal natural hairstyles as easy diy for black brides to use as inspiration for their upcoming wedding day. Our protective styles for natural hair braids make you look like...

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

Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest & easy hairstyles for black women. See updos on medium length to long hair, simple transitioning hairstyles & edges, also grab...


Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest & easy hairstyles for black women. See updos on medium length to long hair, simple transitioning hairstyles for wedding, also SEE...

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

Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest & easy hairstyles for black women. See updos on medium length to long hair, simple transitioning hairstyles relaxed, also grab...

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

Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest & easy hairstyles for black women. See crochet on medium length to short hair, simple transitioning hairstyles growth, also grab...

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

Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest & easy hairstyles for black women. Crochet on medium length to short hair, simple transitioning hairstyles growth, also see our...


Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest faux locs & easy black hairstyles. See crochet on medium length to short hair, simple transitioning hairstyles growth, SEE women...

Bonus: Protective Hairstyles for Natural Hair with Weave

Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest faux locs & easy black hairstyles. With weave on medium length to short hair, simple transitioning hairstyles growth, SEE women...

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.

Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest faux locs & easy black hairstyles. See crochet on long length to short hair, simple transitioning hairstyles growth, SEE our new...Protective styles with extensions...

Click to SEE MORE protective styles for natural hair braids latest faux locs & easy black hairstyles. Crochet on long length to medium hair, simple transitioning hairstyles fast growth, SEE women...Faux locs...

 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. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Lee 

Melissa Lee is a Contributing Editor to NHP and a former owner of the BlackhairOMG website. She formed 4C Trichology Growth Services, LLC., a US based hair care consultation service. She has also contributed as a writer and consultant for various hair and beauty websites. Melissa can be followed on Twitter here.