Innocent_Kiss
Well-Known Member
To help the new, old, and interested, I made this post to try to cover as much on protective styling as I could. Definitions, tips, and hairstyles are researched and gathered from search engines (http://google.com), The LHCF, and friends.
What are protective styles?
Well, a protective style is usually defined as a hairstyle that allows your ends to be safely tucked away unexposing it to wind, UV Rays, or other environmental harm. TO ME Protective Styles can fall into different categories!
No Contact: Because most of our clothing (especially tops) are made of cotton (which absorbs moisture) and can sometimes cause breakage from repetitive rubbing throughout the day, a no contact style (e.i updo) makes NO CONTACT with your clothing.
Now (Pronounced No) Maintenance: The Now (Low or No) Maintenance hairstyles are just that. A hairstyle (usually a no contact) that require little or no manipulation throughout the day. Thus preventing breakage and promoting growth.
and then of course, there's the
Ends Protecting: The ends of your hair are tucked away unexposing it to wind or harmful elements in our environment.
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To make protective styles effective here are some tips that allow better results for your hair while wearing ps (protective styles).
Tip 1: Consider the tools and products you are using. Avoid using hair accessories that snag and break the hair. Instead use accessories coated with silk or satin as shown here. You can even soak your hair holders and scrunchies in non staining essential/carrier oil mixes for fragrance and to prevent dryness. When detangling use seamless combs like the Bone Comb and when brushing (especially on the edges) use a 100% Boar Bristle Brush. For general preferences on combs and brushes click here. Try using natural or more healthy alternatives when using styling gels. Most make your hair hard and brittle causing breakage and excess shedding. Browse here for natural hair recipes on gels and pomades.
Tip 2: Retain moisture! The no contact and ends protective categories are mainly to prevent much needed moisture from being absorbed from the hair. You can use the End Sealing Technique (scroll to bottom) which is basically taking foil and covering the ends of your damp hair. Then place a flat iron on the foil and let the evenly distributed heat seal in the moisture on your hair. Or you can look into the Vaseline Challenge for retaining moisture! In general, you can read about The Key To Optimal Moisture.
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What kind of protective styles are there?
Well, TO ME, there aren't any set ps. There are, of course, common ones, but with a little creativity, you can always do your own thing. As long as there's no rubbing or snagging, little or no manipulation, and retains enough moisture you're good to go. Some common ones are:
*=don't include a How To
Updos
Buns (2) (3) (4 for shorter hair)
French Twist
Straw Set
Braiding Tips (some are NOT protective, but'll give you ideas)
Various (buns, french twist, etc)
Baggie Technique (aid in ps)
Pin Curls
Twist Out
Bantu Knots
Braid Outs
Flat Twist
*Braid Out Ponytail
Wigs very informative
-----------------------------------------
Jazzing Up Protective Styles
A lot of the ladies here sometimes complain about ps being boring. So, here's a few tips on how to jazz your protective styles up!
Hair Accessories: They make or break a boring bun! You can purchase a rat from A Discount Beauty to add to your buns (example here (just beautiful!
). You can wear hair flowers to spice up an updo (read more about hair flowers here)
Combination: You can add cornrows or flat twist at the front of your head to help your braid out or other crinkly/curly styles. You can add spiral curls on the sides and back of your hair to give your bun an elegant look.
Fashion: Jewlry can bring out a boring hairstyle, too. When your hair is up, a cute feminem illusion necklace can do the trick. If you have a shorter style (or for my naturals, those of you with tight coils and MADD SHRINKAGE) nice hoop, square, or triangular earrings can bring out your face and hairstyle.
Credit: motowngirl.com and The How To Thread. Please refer to these two links for even more information!
Feel free to contribute to any category. I really HTH someone
What are protective styles?
Well, a protective style is usually defined as a hairstyle that allows your ends to be safely tucked away unexposing it to wind, UV Rays, or other environmental harm. TO ME Protective Styles can fall into different categories!
No Contact: Because most of our clothing (especially tops) are made of cotton (which absorbs moisture) and can sometimes cause breakage from repetitive rubbing throughout the day, a no contact style (e.i updo) makes NO CONTACT with your clothing.
Now (Pronounced No) Maintenance: The Now (Low or No) Maintenance hairstyles are just that. A hairstyle (usually a no contact) that require little or no manipulation throughout the day. Thus preventing breakage and promoting growth.
and then of course, there's the
Ends Protecting: The ends of your hair are tucked away unexposing it to wind or harmful elements in our environment.
-----------------------------------------
To make protective styles effective here are some tips that allow better results for your hair while wearing ps (protective styles).
Tip 1: Consider the tools and products you are using. Avoid using hair accessories that snag and break the hair. Instead use accessories coated with silk or satin as shown here. You can even soak your hair holders and scrunchies in non staining essential/carrier oil mixes for fragrance and to prevent dryness. When detangling use seamless combs like the Bone Comb and when brushing (especially on the edges) use a 100% Boar Bristle Brush. For general preferences on combs and brushes click here. Try using natural or more healthy alternatives when using styling gels. Most make your hair hard and brittle causing breakage and excess shedding. Browse here for natural hair recipes on gels and pomades.
Tip 2: Retain moisture! The no contact and ends protective categories are mainly to prevent much needed moisture from being absorbed from the hair. You can use the End Sealing Technique (scroll to bottom) which is basically taking foil and covering the ends of your damp hair. Then place a flat iron on the foil and let the evenly distributed heat seal in the moisture on your hair. Or you can look into the Vaseline Challenge for retaining moisture! In general, you can read about The Key To Optimal Moisture.
-----------------------------------------
What kind of protective styles are there?
Well, TO ME, there aren't any set ps. There are, of course, common ones, but with a little creativity, you can always do your own thing. As long as there's no rubbing or snagging, little or no manipulation, and retains enough moisture you're good to go. Some common ones are:
*=don't include a How To
Updos
Buns (2) (3) (4 for shorter hair)
French Twist
Straw Set
Braiding Tips (some are NOT protective, but'll give you ideas)
Various (buns, french twist, etc)
Baggie Technique (aid in ps)
Pin Curls
Twist Out
Bantu Knots
Braid Outs
Flat Twist
*Braid Out Ponytail
Wigs very informative
-----------------------------------------
Jazzing Up Protective Styles
A lot of the ladies here sometimes complain about ps being boring. So, here's a few tips on how to jazz your protective styles up!
Hair Accessories: They make or break a boring bun! You can purchase a rat from A Discount Beauty to add to your buns (example here (just beautiful!
Combination: You can add cornrows or flat twist at the front of your head to help your braid out or other crinkly/curly styles. You can add spiral curls on the sides and back of your hair to give your bun an elegant look.
Fashion: Jewlry can bring out a boring hairstyle, too. When your hair is up, a cute feminem illusion necklace can do the trick. If you have a shorter style (or for my naturals, those of you with tight coils and MADD SHRINKAGE) nice hoop, square, or triangular earrings can bring out your face and hairstyle.
Credit: motowngirl.com and The How To Thread. Please refer to these two links for even more information!
Feel free to contribute to any category. I really HTH someone