It can be difficult to quickly style our hair, Black hair, in a way that will protect it from the hazards we encounter in daily life. Whether we’re getting ready for school or work in the morning, or just having a lazy day, sometimes the last thing we want to do is worry about the health of our hair. Protective styles like braids, twists, and locs take care of this problem for many of us, but we can’t deny that they take time and the expertise of a stylist, two things we may not always have available. However, protective styles don’t always need these. Sometimes all you need is yourself and about 20 minutes! Take a look at these easy protective styles that will save anyone in a time crunch!
Half-Up, Half-Down
The Half-up, Half-down look has gained immense popularity lately as everyday influencers on TikTok and Instagram show just how easy it is to do. This simple hairstyle can be done with either a half wig or ponytail, and only takes a few minutes! This style can be done without causing any tension to the scalp and will ensure that hair is exposed and dehydrated. Furthermore, it can be done with synthetic or human hair of different colors and styles!
Photo courtesy of RJ
What you’ll need:
- Rubber bands
- Hair Gel
- Hair Pins
- Half Wig or Ponytail with a style of your choice!
How it’s done:
Start off by parting your hair horizontally by the front of your ears, essentially parting your hair in half. Then, use a stretchy rubber band to tie the bottom half to the back (to the nape of your neck if using a half wig or slightly under the part if using a ponytail) and smooth it down with hair gel. You can also braid your hair in cornrows or 4-5 braids if you have time. For the top half, you can decide whether to braid, twist, or even do bantu knots as this will be the section that shows. You can also leave your hair as is, smoothing it down with a brush and locking flyaways down with hair gel. Once that’s been done, you can apply your half wig by using hair clips or bobby pins, as the combs already sewn into half wigs can often irritate the scalp. Style the hair as you’d like! You can even flip some of the hair forward and pin it at the base to add bangs. Take a look at how @thtjessicagirl achieved this style.
Examples:
Head Wrap
Head wraps can be a simple, but stylish solution for anyone in need of a fast hairstyle. Head wraps are rooted deeply in African culture, dating back to the early 1700s when women would wear specific head wraps to indicate their age, marital status, and prosperity. They come in a variety of patterns and colors, and take just minutes to tie. Hair wraps serve as a comfortable blanket for the hair, protecting it from harmful sun exposure, frizziness, and tangling all while encouraging oil retention.
Photo courtesy of Vanessa
What you’ll need:
- Standard head wraps are a good start for anyone, check out this black-owned brand!
How it’s done:
There are many ways to tie a hair wrap, but the simplest and fastest way to tie is to wrap a headwrap, or scarf, around the back of your head before tying the ends around your forehead to make a knot. Then, twist the ends to make a second knot. Finish off by tucking the ends underneath the part covering your forehead. Take a look at how @jadenikaylah achieved this style!
Example:
Headband/Hat Wigs
Lately, wigs have become an increasingly popular style for all ages because of their versatility and the ease of applying them. Additionally, the variations and types of wigs are growing rapidly. Within the last three years, we’ve seen headbands, hats, and braided wigs take over the internet, with everyone using these wigs as a way to give their hair and more specifically, their edges a well-needed break from manipulation and products. Lace wigs are still popular, but many have shied away from wearing them constantly as the lace and glues needed can cut or completely rip out hair follicles. When applied correctly, this can be avoided, but if you’re in a time crunch and need to protect your hair from pollution and manipulation, simply throw on a wig cap and a headband wig to go about your day. Headband wigs come in numerous styles and colors, but what makes them even better is the variety of patterns and materials the headbands themselves come in. Synthetic headbands or hat wigs are affordable as well, and don’t feel heavy or hot.
Photo courtesy of RJ
What you’ll need:
How it’s done:
Start by smoothing your hair down with a brush and either braiding or tying it to the nape of your neck with a stretchy rubber band. Then, place a wig cap over your hair. If you’d like to, use gel to add baby hairs to the front, as this will peak out of your headband. Then apply your headband wig, using pins to secure the front and the back. You can also tie your own scarf over the headband if you’d like to choose a style that matches your outfit that day!
Examples:
Flat Twists
Lock in moisture with flat twists. They are easy to do with textured hair and a great option for those that may not be able to braid. When done correctly, there is little to no tension on the scalp and the final product is a neat hairstyle that can be decorated with hair jewelry like gold or silver cuffs, or shells. If you’d like, you could even use temporary hair color for subtle or intense highlights! This versatile style is super easy even for those with big or long hair and takes just a few minutes.
Photo courtesy of Shana Campbell
What you’ll need:
How it’s done:
With so many patterns and techniques to follow, this style can feel overwhelming at first, but there are many simple ways to get flat twists. The easiest way is to part your hair in two, splitting it evenly down the middle. Then, twisting each side individually. To do this, part the 1st section in two at the top of your head, starting with a 2×1 rectangular-shaped section. Split the rectangle in two and twist firmly down onto the scalp, but not too tight as to cause tension. After bringing one section over the other, use your index finger to go under the previously twisted section to take a small portion of hair. Continue by adding more and more hair while ensuring that the twists are secure. Here is a video to better show the process.
You can add a low ponytail to the back where your hair is gathered. You can also add hair clips to make your style more elevated!
Examples:
Quick Weaves
Want the look of a sew-in, but don’t have the time for it? Quick weaves are a great option. Within just a few minutes, you’ll have a new hairstyle or hair color. A quick weave is a styling process that involves gluing extensions onto a wig cap to create a full wig. The best part is that just about anyone can do it on their own to protect the entirety of their hair. Once your hair is placed under the correct cap, it is protected from toxins and chemicals for days, and your hair can stay hydrated. If you want to try out a new hair color without commitment and damage, but don’t have time or patience for a sew-in or wig install, quick weaves are the way to go.
Photo courtesy of Sherlese
What you’ll need:
- Quick Weave Cap
- Shower Cap
- Weave Bond Glue
- Hair Extensions (check out these black-owned brands)
How it’s done:
Start by tying your hair back or braiding it, then place a shower cap over it so that the glue does not adhere to your hair and cause damage. Now, place the appropriate weave cap over it. Lay your extensions out and decide how long you need the track at the very bottom and back of your head to be (cut a track long enough to go completely around your head if creating a look with bangs). Add glue to the track and place it onto the cap. Continue this process until the cap is completely covered.
Take a look at Nina Gill’s tutorial for a better visualization:
If you’d like to add a part, The Gloved Natural shows us how. Removing the quick weave should be easy and painless as the glue will not be attached to your hair.
Examples:
Now that we’ve gone through just a few easy hairstyles to do when in a rush, it’s important to remember that keeping our hair moisturized and cared for underneath it all is vital. Make sure to take the time to nourish hair with the appropriate oils, serums, and/or lotions and settle down with a satin bonnet to protect it. Black-owned brand, To All My Black Girls, offers a variety of colors for satin bonnets.
Whether you’re looking for a hairstyle that will offer a quick upgrade to your look or something simple to give your hair a break, the options are endless for black hair and that’s the fun of it all.
For more hair tips, make sure to check out our favorite winter proof hair products!
