The official start of summer is one week away, but no matter where you live you’ve probably suffered through (and yet somehow survived) the disrespectful heat waves that stress your tresses. If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering how you’ll style or at least protect your hair during these humid and sticky months. Well, you're in luck! We’ve chosen fifteen hot and easy natural protective hairstyles you can try when the summer weather is doing the absolute most.
First, let’s refresh your memory (or teach you - if you’re new to this);protective styles allow your real hair to “rest.” They allow your hair to grow in a healthy manner without the daily manipulation of combing, brushing or styling. Protective styles can also help you keep your edges intact and protect the ends of your hair shaft.
Before you rush and whip your hair into some box braids, it’s important to develop a healthy hair routine where you regularly condition your hair with natural oils or products that increase hair retention and moisture. Once your hair is in a healthy state, you can choose to braid your hair, don faux-locs or sew-in a 20-plus inch weave like Nicki Minaj, you know, before you catch flights to Prague or anywhere else.
But before you jet off or hastily change your summer haircare routine, get into these easy natural protective hairstyles below:
Push It To The Side Braids
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BT8DzyllepV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[✨Queen Status✨ Yay ?? or ??](https://www.instagram.com/p/BT8DzyllepV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by Self Taught Braider (@kersti.pitre) on
Me And You, Your Four Feed Braids And Their Cousins, Too
Check out our interview with LA feed-in braid queen, Yaya here.
Mama Africa Faux Locs
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BVV4i6TFaRO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[@africanside](https://www.instagram.com/p/BVV4i6TFaRO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by Nara Hair braiding (@narahairbraiding) on
Cleopatra, Coming At Ya Crochet Braids
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BRpT_ySlPDZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[@cynthianyongesa](https://www.instagram.com/p/BRpT_ySlPDZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by crochet braids (@crochetbraids) on
I Love The ‘90s Braids
The Deep Lady Sew-In
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BRrVAfgBPqk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[How beautiful are these waves?! @Mariaaakaledzera is slaying Brazilian Deep Wave lengths 20", 22" and 24" with a 18" Lace Frontal.#MayvennHair #MayvennMade #DeepWave#LaceFrontal #FrontalMagic #FrontalUnit #Frontal #WcW](https://www.instagram.com/p/BRrVAfgBPqk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by Mayvenn Inc. (@mayvennhair) on
Bantu Knots
Chaka Taught Me Lace Front Wig
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BTJ9S2sgKXP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[Simple &messy](https://www.instagram.com/p/BTJ9S2sgKXP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by Peakmill (@peakmilll) on
Make Your Man Do A Double Glance Sew-In Bob
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BVFSXtQhJBz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[Classic cut & color via @contactevie ?✂️ - #thecutlife #dmvhairstylist #boblife #haircolor #shorthair #Mizani #TCLHS - #DMV ladies, book @contactevie today!!](https://www.instagram.com/p/BVFSXtQhJBz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by The Cut Life (@thecutlife) on
Girl Next Door Bob
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BT2G6t_ATqm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[Custom unit constructed, custom colored and styled by @crown_mmee using 2.5 bundles of Brazilian Straight with a Lace Frontal. #Mayvenn #MayvennHair #VirginHair #CustomUnit #CustomColor #QueensWearMayvennHair](https://www.instagram.com/p/BT2G6t_ATqm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by Mayvenn Inc. (@mayvennhair) on
Empress Cornrows
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BVM3xlJH7wu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[? Out here in Baltimore about to get to work! I'm so excited! ✂️✂️✂️✂️????????](https://www.instagram.com/p/BVM3xlJH7wu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by Chantelle ??✂️✂️?? (@hairbychantellen) on
They See Me Waving And They Hating Crochet Twist Out
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BSUKAEyFnWj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[@thebrilliantbeauty ??](https://www.instagram.com/p/BSUKAEyFnWj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by crochet braids (@crochetbraids) on
Rock Tough In Your Afro Puffs
[View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BVTMSzYAYcG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[? #naturalhair #naturalhairstyles #puffballs #redhair #fauxafropuff](https://www.instagram.com/p/BVTMSzYAYcG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)A post shared by Miss P. ? ?? (@misspalmerforeva) on
Can you believe these red puffs are clip-ins?
Wrap It Up
[
