10 Beautiful Summer Protective Hairstyles You Will Fall In Love With

Protective hairstyles are the unsung heroes of natural hair care. In addition to looking great, they protect your hair in many important ways. For someone like myself, who enjoys braids, they are the ideal choice for every day. Wearing braids gives me style options and keeps my wild hair out of my face, especially when it’s really hot outside. They are not only useful, but they also add fun and imagination to any look. The choices are unlimited, whether you want to add length, incorporate brilliant colors, or experiment with other textures. Braids and other protection styles not only keep our hair healthy, but they also let us show who we are. That’s why today, I want to share with you some beautiful summer protective hairstyles for inspiration.

Wrap up in style—protective hairstyles are summer’s best friend

Understanding Summer Protective Hairstyles: What You Need to Know

Protective hairstyles are made to keep your hair from getting too stressed out from environmental factors, styling tools, and manipulations. These hairstyles, like braids, twists, and locs, come from different countries around the world. They’re not only nice to look at, but they also help hair stay moist, break less, and grow faster by keeping the ends of hair from drying out and getting damaged. These styles have their roots in African countries, where they have been used for many years for both practical reasons and to express their culture. The health and look of your hair can improve greatly if you use protective hairstyles regularly. This makes them a great choice for keeping your hair strong and healthy. They are the perfect styles for summer as they keep your hair out of your face and have the perfect summer vibes.

Jump into summer with sassy braids that speak style

How Long Should You Keep Protective Styles In?

Protective styles last for different amounts of time, but in general, it’s important to think about the style maintenance needs. The founder of Slayed in Braids, Helena Koudou, says that styles with extensions, like knotless box braids, can last for up to two months. Simpler styles, like feed-in cornrows, may need to be taken out after about a week to keep hair from drying out and to help it grow. To keep your hair in good shape, Koudou says to switch between complicated styles that use extensions and easier styles that use your own hair. This method, along with trims every six weeks, keeps hair healthy while letting you enjoy safe styling back-to-back.

Discover the sweet spot for how long to rock those summer styles

What Is The Best Way To Maintain Summer Protective Hairstyles?

The best way to get the most out of protective styles is to keep them in good shape. Celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood, who works with natural hair, says that there are a few important steps that should be taken to keep safe styles in good shape. First, clean and moisturize your hair. An oil or spray that isn’t too heavy can help. Do not over-manipulate your hair too much as you need to keep it from getting stressed out. Wearing a silk or satin scarf at night can also keep your style safe and keep your hair from frizzing up. Leatherwood stresses how important it is to keep your protective style neat and protect your hair well by regularly moisturizing it and treating it gently.

Summer-long glamour starts with the right hair care routine

Beautiful Summer Protective Hairstyles

Welcome to the exciting world of stylish hairstyles that will keep your hair safe this summer! There are so many beautiful styles to choose from that there is something for everyone. As the weather gets warmer, protective haircuts are not only fashionable but also good for your hair’s health. They protect your hair from the weather, keep moisture in, and reduce damage from styling. Styles like these aren’t just for summer, according to Glamour. They can be worn in any season. I’ve collected some of the best summer protective hairstyles for inspo. So, let’s check them out.

Dive into the season with styles that scream sunshine and simplicity

Fulani braids

This crochet hairstyle comes from the Fulani people in Africa. They have a unique pattern made up of cornrows braided into complicated designs along the head. You can add beads to these braids to add some personailty and a personal touch.  These braids are great for summer because they are light and keep your hair up. They look good on most hair types, but are especially good for people who want a stylish and culturally rich choice.

Embrace the elegance of Fulani braids

Goddess braids

Goddess braids are bigger and more elevated than normal braids. They are often styled in crowns or chignons as this gives them a royal look. They’re great for the summer because their size keeps the hair safe and out of your face, while still letting your scalp breathe. Goddess braids are a durable style that can keep you looking beautiful all season long. They work well for thick or coarse hair because of their weight and volume.

Turn heads this summer with voluminous Goddess braids

Senegalese twists

To make a Senegalese twist, you smoothly twist two strands of hair around each other from root to tip. Synthetic hair is often used to make the twists longer and more uniformly. This style is great for summer because it’s simple to keep up and keeps your hair out of the way. It works especially well for people with fine, smooth hair because the twists stay in place nicely.

Keep it cool and twisted with Senegalese flair

Box braids

Box braids are a standard way to protect your hair. They get their name from the square sections of hair that are made along the scalp. They are easy to style with a lot of different outfits and will last for a long time. Box braids look good on all hair types, but they’re especially good for people who want to make styling their hair less stressful every day.

Box braids: the ultimate summer versatility

Knotless braids

Knotless braids start with your natural hair and incorporate braiding hair over time. This makes the roots less tense and heavy. These braids are great for summer because they are light and less bulky. This makes them easy to wear. They are great for people with sensitive scalps or fine hair who want a safe style that helps hair grow without putting too much stress on it.

Ease into summer with lightweight, stress-free knotless braids

Faux locs

Faux locs look like dreadlocks but don’t require you to commit to them for a long time. This style protects your hair by keeping moisture in and shielding it from outside factors. If you want to look bohemian this summer, fake locs are a great choice because they are super stylish and light. They are safe for most hair types and give you a way to try a very different look without damaging your hair.

Rock faux locs for a fuss-free, fabulous summer

Cornrows

Cornrows are tight, flat braids that lay close to the scalp and can be made in patterns or straight lines. They don’t need much care, which makes them great for the hot and humid summer months. Anyone with any hair type can wear cornrows. They can be used as a base for wigs or other styles or worn alone for a sleek look.

Beat the heat with sleek, neat cornrows

Bantu knots

Bantu knots involve sectioning the hair into small to medium parts, twisting each into a tight coil, and then wrapping it into a knot. They look great on their own and are also a great way to curl your hair without using heat. In the summer, bantu knots are great because they keep your hair from frizzing and protect the ends. These add both texture and volume to hair and work best on wavy or kinky hair.

Bantu knots: your go-to for a bold, vibrant summer

Halo braid

The halo braid goes around the head like a crown, making it great for fancy summer nights. This style is great for people with medium-length to long hair because it keeps hair off the shoulders and neck on hot days. It looks good on all hair types and is a classy change from the usual summer styles.

Crown your summer days with a simple, stunning halo braid

Butterfly locs

Butterfly locs are a softer, more whimsical version of traditional faux locs, featuring loops or ‘butterfly’ effects along the shaft of the locs. They are easy to carry and look airy, which makes them perfect for a laid-back summer look. Butterfly locs protect hair, are easy to keep up with, and can be worn by people with different hair types who want a boho-chic look without a lot of work.

Light up your look with playful butterfly locs

I hope this article useful and that it gave you a lot of ideas for how to style your hair this summer. Summer protective hairstyles are more than just a way to look good. They are also very good for your hair’s health. These style keep your hair strong and healthy during the hot months by protecting it from the sun, reducing breakage, and cutting down on the need to style it every day. A good protective style keeps style high and upkeep low, whether you’re going to the beach or just enjoying the outdoors.

Step boldly into summer—your hair is ready to dazzle and shine

FAQs

Can protective styles make your hair grow?

Protective styles like knots, twists, and buns don’t make your hair grow faster, but they can help keep it healthy by preventing breakage and keeping moisture in. By protecting the ends of your hair and not using any heating tools, you can retain more length over time.

Are braids a summer style?

Of course! Braids are super popular during summer because they can be worn in many ways and look absolutely amazing. Plus, they keep your hair in place and out of the way, which is great for hot weather and activities outside.

Can I wet my braids in the shower?

You can get your hair wet in the shower. Make sure your hair stays clean and moist. But don’t shampoo your hair too much because it can make it frizzy. Choose a mild shampoo that has been diluted, and always make sure your braids are completely dry after washing them to avoid hair problems like mildew.

How long do braids last?

Based on the style, your hair type, and how well you take care of them, braids can last anywhere from two to eight weeks. To make your braids last as long as possible, you should cover them at night with a silk or satin scarf and keep your head clean.

Each protective hairstyle is a perfect blend of care and flair