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We know life is busy — and we get not wanting to style your natural hair every single day. But the beauty about natural hair is how versatile it is. You can choose from braids, twists, afros, ponytails, buns ... the list goes on and on. When you're tired of doing the same ol' wash-and-go every week, it might be time to consider a sleek protective style or a switch up. Keep reading to find the best natural hairstyles — protective and otherwise — that are not only stylish but also a breeze to pull off.
Festive Undercuts
Short hair? We care. Update your undercut like Danai Gurira with glitter or metallic dye for a look that is sure to turn heads. If color and shine are a bit too much for you, an intricately designed undercut, without the color, looks incredible too.
Braided Pigtails
You don't have a lot of time and we get it. Gabrielle Union sports this easy-to-achieve two-braid style while out in New York City. Add kanekalon hair like Union for extra length.
Curly Updo
Issa Rae is the queen of natural hairstyles with Felicia Leatherwood's gifted hands behind many of her epic looks. This elegant updo incorporates flat twists and crochet hair for a style that will have you in and out of the chair in less than three hours.
VIDEO: Why Bantu Knots Are the Style to Wear Year-Round
Box Braids
Box braids are a timeless style you can never go wrong with. Depending on the size, box braids can take up to 12 hours to achieve. However, jumbo box braids are currently trending and the versatility of this look allows you to wear it in many different styles for a fresh look with a quarter of the usual install time. Just look at Jhené Aiko as proof.
Oversized Butterfly Locs
If passion twists and goddess locs had a baby, it would be butterfly locs. Here, Amandla Stenberg shows us the beauty and ease of this style, which she wears in four to five oversized platinum locs. The end result is romantic, low-maintenance, and can easily be confused with your real hair.
Textured Updo
Naturalistas — curl definition is not a must-have. Somewhere in the curly conversation, we've diverged off the path of having healthy hair to a focus on defining your curls. Lupita Nyong'o modern take on the French twist is showing us that natural hair looks great in all forms.
Curls To the Front
Put your curls on display by staging them front and center, like Yara Shahidi. If your hair is on the longer side, use bobby pins to shape and place your curls where you want them.
TWA With Big Style
Give some dimension to your TWA (teeny weeny afro) with a deep hard part and a sleek side for a chic style like Samira Wiley.
Braided Bantu Knots
We give Bantu knots a big yes. Achieve Tika Sumpter's style by creating large sections in your hair, braiding, then wrapping each of the braids in small knots. For a two-in-one style, gently take down the hair once it's dry and discover a voluminous Bantu knot-out.
Double Buns
Running late? Then try this double bun style like Tracee Ellis Ross's character on Black-ish. Part your hair in half and place each portion in a bun — then let the party begin!
Braided Jumbo Ponytail
Actress Storm Reid takes her braided ponytail to the next level with a super cute feed-in braid, decorated with pretty hair accessories. She adds even more dimension to the style by wrapping a small braid at the base of her jumbo plait.
Sleek and Textured
Show off your texture by slicking your hair into a low loose ponytail and letting your natural hair shine for an effortless look à la Yara Shahidi.
Headwrap Dreams
Who said headwraps are only for bedtime? Stylist June Ambrose illustrates that headwraps can amp up a look — and protect it. We also appreciate the pop of color it adds to an ensemble.
Totally Twisted
When in doubt, add a twist like Taraji P. Henson. A twist-out looks great on natural hair and can add the additional volume and definition you crave
Carefree Cornrows
If you haven't tried cornrows yet, what are you waiting for? This protective style, as seen Zendaya, works on manes of all lengths. It's a low-maintenance look that still packs a punch.
Head turning High Ponytail
Jesse Grant / Stringer / Getty
Kelly Rowland's high ponytail is a super chic style that works for both day and night (and even the gym!). To get your edges super sleek, make sure to use a heavy duty edge control like the Ebin 24 Hour Edge Tamer.
Wet and Curly
The wet hair look is having a moment — and Jurnee Smollett-Bell is the prime example of that. The key to this style is applying lots and lots of hair gel to wet hair.
Braided Bun
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
When it's too hot to wear your braids, pile them into a chic top bun like Quita Brunson. To add an extra sultry layer, swoop your braids into a side part and tuck the ends into the bun with bobby pins.
Sleek Middle Part Ponytail
Arnold Jerocki/GC Images
Taylour Paige's sleek middle part ponytail is the perfect natural hair style. If you want to make sure that it's super sleek, you can blow dry and flat iron your hair and then spray with an oil sheen like the ORS Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen Spray for a super glossy look.
Chic Braid Out
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
The best thing about a braid-out is that it's a two-in-one style. Once you're finished with the braids, you can take them out to reveal a naturally curly look like Taylor Russell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best protective style for natural hair?
The best protective styles for natural hair is one that doesn't tug or pull at your edges. Braids, twists, wigs, and weaves are all great styles, but make sure that your style isn't too tight — it can potentially cause hair loss and traction alopecia.
Do protective styles help your hair grow?
One of the biggest myths about protective styles is that they make your hair grow faster than normal — your hair is going to grow at the same rate regardless of the style it is in.
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