Can you bear your natural hair this summer?
by Bethany Robertson & Khatysia brown
The beauty of natural hair is the ability to do so many things with it, but why do we get stuck in the rut of wash n go’s and twist outs? Summer-time should be about fun in the sun, but it’s hard to do that when we have to figure out how to combat humidity, over-manipulation, heat and the environment!
Not this summer!
We’re bringing you 5 go to protective styles for summer, plus tips to help along the way! Stick with us, and you’ll know exactly how to rock your natural hair this summer!
Box Braids
Box braids can be done in a variety of sizes and lengths to give you the look you want. They’re perfect for those of us who want the most LOW MAINTENANCE style. You can ponytail them, bun them, or just let them hang and they’ll typically last up to a month!
Go, jumbo to make a bold statement or knotless for effortless comfort!
Tip: Box braids tend to be high tension styles, so it’s not good to get this style back to back.
Tip: Ask your stylist to tuck your natural hair under the extensions to protect it and make your style last longer!
2. straight backs
All hail to this OG braided style, straight backs! This simple style is everything it’s title leads on, straight back cornrows. I know what your thinking.. “that’s boring”, but we assure you that this classic style is anything but! Check out these ideas on how to take them up a notch!
Idea Tank:
1. Keep them small and neat! (still not boring, we promise!) The smaller they are the longer they last generally!
2. Get them suuuuper long! Long braids really make a statement, let em hang girl!
3. Get small braids in between. This trend has surfaced and really makes your braids pop!
4. Stitch em! Stich braids are when the sides of the cornrows are separated and look like they’ve been stitched. This is also a new style and make braids look super neat!
5. Color em! Adding some color can really turn heads! Go for blonde or deep red to give a natural colored effect, or even go for the spectrum if you’re feeling brave!
6. Accessorize them! There are tons of ways to adorn your braids, including thread, beads and cuffs!
7. Your edges are how you can take any braided style over the top! So get your edge control and your toothbrush (your HAIR specific toothbrush that is) and get to laying those edges girl!
3. Faux Locs
So we all know that braids are a go-to for us natural girls, but dread locs have been making their debut in the natural hair world; and in a not so permanent way. Faux locs are typically created by braiding down the natural Hair and wrapping the braid in Marley Hair or Kanekalon, but there’s also a crochet version of the style that is much less time-consuming. They can be done very neat or more messy, the choice is yours!
Tip: Traditional faux locs can be high tension, so watch out for that. We need you to keep your edges intact sis! Maybe Try the crochet variation as a low-tension alternative.
4. Feed In Pony Tail
This has been our personal favorite style. Talk about easy-peasy! This style is one-and-done, it’s already a ponytail and will stay out of your face. And don’t be shy about length! We like em looooong ladies, the longer the better!!! To your ankles would actually be perfect.
5. Twists
