I truly believe there’s no better time to protect your hair than in the summer time. Not only is the sun hammering away at your locks, you’re more likely to have a sweaty scalp and humidity can wreak havoc too. Afro hair can be more vulnerable to damage at the best of times so the application of heat and summer activities can lead to stressed out hair and breakage. As a result, I tend to wear a few protective styles during the warmer months. I also find that I don’t want to style my hair so much when it’s warm outside, I’d much rather be spending my time enjoying the summer.
I’ve had so many Protective Styles over the years: braids, wigs, weaves, twists, you name it. The best part is that you wake up everyday with your hair pretty much done, which I love when comparing the everyday management of my curly hair when I choose to wear it natural. Most of the time I go for a U-part wig. I cornrow two-thirds of the hair underneath and then the top section covers and blends with the rest of the wig for a seamless look.
When it comes to wigs and weaves, you can really experiment with length and colour without having to commit. Honestly if you haven’t tried a protective style for your afro textured hair in summer I urge you to you’ll love much time and worry it’ll free up so you’ll have more hours to spend lapping up the rays instead. These are some of the protective styles I have saved for the coming months.
Box braids and knotless braids can take anywhere from three hours for bigger sections to seven hours, but the time you lose sitting in the chair is made up with the time you save with your hair looking immaculate for weeks on end. Remember the bigger your box braids, the more the chances of them frizzing faster.
To keep things smooth, setting mousse or lotion will be a key component in your hair routine to lay down any flyaways that crop up. To get your hair in the best condition for healthy curls when you take the braids out, you need to do a clarifying wash and a good moisture masque before braiding, whether you do them yourself or go to a pro.
Amaka’s hairline has huge tendrils framing it and that is a huge trend for this year. So next time you braid your hair, why not give it a go and add loose curls throughout each braid and curl the ends? It’s high-volume style, effortlessly cool. Boho or goddess or whatever you want to call it, just know that it requires a little more maintenance than a more “traditional” box or knotless braid (it adds a little weight as well). A braid spray, mousse and brush to brush out and coax out tangles can help ensure these styles last.
Every time I think of micro braids, I dream of channelling my inner Zoë Kravitz (though hers have finally been ID’d as tree braids, and use human hair to get the signature body and movement). Then I think about how long they typically take to install and opt for small box and knotless braids instead. They do tend to look neater for longer though because of their smaller size, lasting anywhere up to two or three months. Because these braids use more added hair they can feel heavier so protect your scalp and your hairline with nourishing oils and alternative styles to alleviate some of the pulling around your hairline .
Curly ends can add a point of difference to braids. Wrap with perm rods, set, immerse in hot water and allow to dry. These braids can feel heavier since there is more added hair used so keep your hairline and your scalp protected with nourishing oils and alternative styles to ease some of the pulling around your hairline. Curly ends can provide a point of difference to braids. To set, wrap with perm rods, carefully submerge in hot water and let dry.
As I said, wigs and weaves are a great way to try out new cuts and colours on you and protect your hair from summer. With wigs or a full weave, you can easily experiment with new looks — from a bronde balayage to a sharp bob. I go for a wig with leave out and blending, because I think these and wigs are better for summer because you can take them off so it’s not trapping your body heat at night. Wig styles don’t have to be straight.
I love Ruka Hair for realistic curls and coily wigs. Thinking to go for a lighter colour this summer? Wigs and weaves can help you figure out if it works for you. Yes, that means you can finally go bleached blonde, fire red, or spicy orange without risking the health of your natural strands.
For a short summer break, I love twists or cornrows because they have the least staying power for me but they are also the least heavy protective styles on this list. Usually you get a few weeks of wear out of each style. With cornrows, you’ll need to pay extra attention to scalp health because the scalp will be so exposed, while twists are just as easy to maintain as braids. Use a scalp serum before braiding and soothing scalp mists, gel or lotion during the braiding process to relieve irritation or itching.
For best results start with a scalp serum before you sit down in the salon chair or start styling on your own. It’s also a good idea to use a soothing scalp mists, gel or lotion to calm down irritation or itching while your hair is braided and plaited. Looking for more options in your protective styles? Long twists are a great alternative to braids because they are lighter (easier to style up or down) and don’t pull as much tension on your edges because there is no hair aid. Note that the smaller and shorter your twists and cornrows are, the longer they will continue to look neat.
