Braids, cornrows, locs and twists are just a few protective hairstyles those with curly natural hair can try. Not only do they keep hair healthy by protecting it from the elements, they also are versatile and on-trend. Braids are also endlessly customizable—you can tweak them to fit your hair length and curl, as well as dress them up with fun accessories.
Thoughts from our Nexxpert
Celebrity hairstylist and Nexxus Style & Trends Curator Lacy Redway is a fan of the woven look. “Braids are great because they allow you to style your hair in many different ways,” she says. In order to make sure your protective braids look their best, it’s crucial that you add moisture before any braided style. “The best tip for maintaining beautiful curly hair is to keep it hydrated,” says Lacy. “Use products that will help lock in moisture.” She recommends Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo & Humectress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner, which are a great foundation to use on curly natural hair before styling. One thing to note about any protective style is that, because they tend to stay in the hair for long periods of time, there is a greater possibility of frizz. To help keep your style frizz-free, Lacy has a great pro tip:
We asked Lacy to dream up two protective braid styles, one fully braided and one loose with an edgy twist. While they may look complicated, according to Lacy, you don’t have to go to the salon to score the style. Just follow her easy how-to guide to creating your own “twist” on curly hair braids.
Section Your Hair
For this close-cropped look, start by sectioning out a two-inch piece of hair just above your ear. Using a comb, create a precise part that starts at the temple and curves up and around the head to the nape of the neck. Clip the rest of your hair out of the way. Finger comb a small amount of Nexxus Exxtra Hold Defining Gel through the sectioned hair for additional hold and to keep frizz at bay
Let’s Get Busy Braiding
Begin braiding the hair, starting at the temple and working backward, following the shape of the part. The braid should be in the middle of the sectioned hair in order to create that signature shape. Secure the braid with a small hair elastic. Repeat these steps with the remaining hair. When finished, you should have five or six braids total, depending on your hair thickness and length. You can leave your braids loose or pull them back into a more contained style, like the low bun Lacy created here.
For a Loose Look
The beauty of protective braids is that there’s no right or wrong way to style them. Once you’ve mastered the above technique, you can customize the size of the braid to make it thinner or thicker. If you really want to get creative, try using one braid as an accent to lose natural curls and add fun accessories, like with this trendy “pierced” look. Let your imagination run wild!
