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Protective hairstyles work well to prevent damage and help with hair health and growth. From twists, cornrows, weaves, locs, bantu knots, and more, read on for expert-approved techniques for all your favorite protective styles.

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Person wearing a hairstyle with braids and a decorative bow
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Willow Smith wearing a blue top with sculptural braided hair styled in a high bun
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Hybrid Sew-in Braids Are Everywhere—Here’s How To Try the Trend

Tia Mowry with braided and loose hairstyle wearing a robe
Half-Braided Hairstyles Are the Biggest Protective Style Trend of 2025

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Every Type of Sew-In Explained—From Traditional to Partial

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Love Island star Olandria with styled long hair posing facing forward
The Weather Is Cooling Off, But These 7 Protective Styles Are Heating Up for Fall

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Coco Jones outdoors with long braided hair wearing layered necklaces and a knit top against a backdrop of palm trees and water
Boho Braids Are a Cute and Curly Protective Style—Here's What to Know

A person with curly hair wearing a halter-style top, standing against a plain background
What Is a Flip-Over Sew-In? Hairstylists Explain the Versatile Protective Style

Amandla Stenberg with braided hair, standing in front of a wall displaying various braid styles
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A person with styled hair and jewelry, posing while looking down
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A relaxed individual outdoors by a water body, sitting on a metal frame bed with a pillow in their arms and wearing a sleep mask
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ryan destiny wearing boho braids
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actor ryan destiny with long, straight, shiny hair
10 Protective Style Trends to Try This Spring, From Bouncy Twists to Chic Wigs

Yasmin Finney wearing box braids with French curls
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storm reid with copper boho knotless braids
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Renee Downer wearing small knotless braids
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woman with braided protective style
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Chloe Bailey, Kerry Washington, and Storm Reid with hair looks trending for fall
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Close up of a heart braided into the side of a woman's cornrowed hair
Cornrow Heart Braids Are the Cutest Protective Style: Benefits and Maintenance 101

Actor China Anne McClain with boho box braids
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Model Mariama with boho braids, her head looking over her shoulder
How to Take Down Your Braids—Without Damaging Your Natural Hair

A woman taking a selfie in a mirror wearing flowershaped earrings and holding a pink phone case
21 Protective Hairstyles for Vacation That Are Effortless and Elegant

Byrdie social media editor Jasmine Phillips with braids in front of the ocean
17 Protective Hairstyles for Vacation That Are Effortless and Elegant

A woman with long red braids looks to the side
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jordyn woods wearing blonde boho braids
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woman with cornrows and curly ponytail
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model leomie anderson wearing knotless braids
Can You Wash Your Hair With Braids? We Asked Protective Style Experts to Weigh In

A woman with box braids pulled off her face in a half-up, half-down style
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Celebrities with braids inspiration
28 Celebrity-Approved Braid Ideas to Inspire Your Next Protective Style

Protective Hairstyle Products
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Women with Protective Hairstyles and Styled Edges
How to Avoid Damaging Your Hair While Wearing Protective Styles, According to Hairstylists

megan thee stallion wearing black hd full lace wig
How to Flawlessly Install a Wig—Straight from Celebrity Hairstylists

tamera mowry wearing goddess locs
Goddess Locs are a Gorgeous Protective Style—Here's How to Get the Look

Alicia Keys with her hair braided and bejeweled
Alicia Keys Has Always Been the Blueprint for Braids—These 17 Styles Prove It

zaya wade wearing french curl braids
French Curl Braids Are a Fun Twist on the Classic Protective Style

Zaya Wade with knotless box braids curled at the end
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solange knowles wearing microbraids
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leigh anne pinnock with green braids
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Woman with Faux Locs
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@jaydacheaves with braids / Instagram
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raindrop braids bethany nche
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The actor Yara Shahidi with twisted out hair
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lisa bonet
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