21 Protective Hairstyles for Your Next Vacation

A woman taking a selfie in a mirror wearing flowershaped earrings and holding a pink phone case — @jodiewoods / instagram

Nothing ruins a vacation more than a mad dash to sort out your hair—so a pre-vacay appointment for a low-maintenance protective style is a must. An effortless protective style allows you to spend your time snorkeling in the sea or swatting a pickleball instead of panicking about lifting lace or fried edges. Who wants to spend their hard-earned PTO tussling with a flat iron?

The key to choosing a protective style for vacation is understanding your natural hair and how it will work with the style in a new environment. We consulted the experts—celebrity hairstylists Marquita Lynch, Ursula Stephen, and Kim Kimble—to find out how to keep things cute and stress-free, so you can spend your time on mint juleps and mocktails instead of raking through matted messes. Keep scrolling for the best protective styles for your upcoming vacation.

Meet the Experts

Marquita Lynch is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Tia Mowry, Brandy, and Nicki Minaj.
Ursula Stephen is a celebrity stylist and the owner of Ursula Stephen The Salon in Brooklyn. She has created looks for Zendaya, Rihanna, and more.
Kim Kimble is a celebrity stylist and Clairol partner whose clients include Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Nicki Minaj.

01 of 21

Tucked Freestyle Cornrows

Tyla with intricate Fulani braids and tiny low buns — @tyla / Instagram

The beauty of cornrows is that you can create infinite patterns and shapes. Tyla's freestyle cornrows, which tuck into mini buns, are the perfect style for a beach day.

02 of 21

Koroba Braids

Originating in Nigeria among the Yoruba tribe, the word "Koroba" means "calabash" or "basket" and refers to the round shape of the braids. This is the style to book for an eye-catching vacation look.

03 of 21

Beautiful Bantu Knots

Person with hair styled in bantu knots looking towards the camera — @naokoscintu / instagram

Bantu knots are one of the simpler protective styles, but that doesn't mean they're boring. You can play around with sizing and placement to create a 'do that feels unique to you.

04 of 21

Boho Braids

Lynch is a big fan of boho braids. She stands by them at any length, but "I just love long hair, so anything past the butt is chef's kiss," she says. She regularly turns to them for her celebrity clients. "If they're going on vacation, I love to add human hair to the ends of the braids... it gives it more of a flowy look," she says.

05 of 21

Braided to the Side

Storm Reid posing with her hand resting on her waist — @stormreid / instagram

Honestly, Storm Reid always delivers incredible protective style inspo. Her half-braided, sideswept style is one we definitely want to copy.

06 of 21

Braids and Buns

Alicia Keys posing with braided hairstyle and her hands framing her face — @aliciakeys / instagram

Alicia Keys is another braid icon. The singer's jumbo braid-and-bun combo is absolutely fitting for any trip you have planned.

07 of 21

Textured Hybrid Sew-In

A person with braided hairstyle styled into an updo with curly details wearing a black halter top — @temsbaby / instagram

Tems' hairstyles are always on our mood board. Her hybrid sew-in style just screams summer.

08 of 21

Flippy Braided Bob

A woman with braided hair sitting in a car gazing to the side — @renee_downer / instagram

Bobs continue to trend in the hair world, so it's only right to put a braided spin on it. A flippy, braided bob feels fresh and fun.

09 of 21

Rowed and Wavy

Person taking a selfie in a mirror their hair is styled with braids on top flowing into curls accessorized with large floral earrings — @jodiewoods / instagram

If you're looking for length and fullness without the fussiness of leave-out, go for a partial sew-in. "Just sew it on the back and then maybe have your hair braided in the front," suggests Lynch. This style can be adorned with beads or cuffs to take it to the next level.

10 of 21

Straight Backs

@adutaketch / Instagram

Cornrows require no more maintenance than a satin scarf. Want it to make things even more comfortable? Skip the synthetic hair. "I like to add human hair to my cornrows from the nape down," said Lynch.

11 of 21

Designed Cornrows

Tia Mowry wearing freestyle cornrow — Getty Images

Cornrows are ideal for beach getaways: unlike other styles, they hold up well even when submerged in water. "Even while you're on vacation, you can always swim in your braids. That's the luxury," says Lynch.

12 of 21

Faux Locs

A person with long braided hair taking a selfie in a mirror using a smartphone — @meretmanon / instagram

The best part about faux locs is they get better with age, looking more natural as the sheen falls. Use them to experiment with different styles, like a half-up half-down.

13 of 21

Stitch Braids

Stitch braids have all the charm of straightbacks with a little more interest. Toss some edge control in your carry-on and hit the road.

14 of 21

Curly Sew-In

singer chloe bailey with a curly wig or sew-in style — @chloebailey / Instagram

Sew-ins are especially vacation-ready if you switch up your texture. Lynch says with a curly sew-in, "You can mist it with some water and leave-in conditioner and go."

15 of 21

Long Solo Braid

Zendaya wears a high blonde three strand braid adorned with a stain white ribbon bow on top — Hoda Davaine / Dave Benett / WireImage

"Zendaya's long braid is an ideal protective summer vacation hairstyle because it's both stylish and practical," Stephen tells us. "It keeps hair secure and tangle-free, making it a convenient, polished look that transitions seamlessly from casual day outings to evening events." That kind of versatility is perfect for a summer getaway. Lynch is also a fan, adding: "A braided ponytail is really pretty."

16 of 21

Micro Braids

Person posing wearing braids and a black outfit backdrop with text partially visible — Getty Images

Tiny braids may require a long time in the chair, but they are worth the wait. Doechii's micro braid updo is so chic.

17 of 21

Crotchet Twists

Ziggy Mambo Twist 30" — crochet twists.
samira.bem

Crotchet styles offer a quick transformation. Loop some braids or twists into your hair and head out worry-free.

18 of 21

Fun Fairy Knots

Adding fewer knots in your hair means fewer parts, making things much easier to keep up with. Slick things back with water, leave-in conditioner, and hair gel, and be on your way.

19 of 21

Space Buns

For an easy, playful style, turn back to a childhood classic...space buns. Keep out some baby hair to play with or slick everything back.

20 of 21

Jumbo Twists

The larger the parts, the easier it will be to complete and maintain your style. These might not last through eight weeks, but they'll give you several stylish days during a long weekend getaway.

21 of 21