As a lady with short hair, it can be challenging to find a protective style that can work with my length. Sometimes I have to compromise a look because I don’t have enough hair to pull it off. I’d spend most summers installing braids that would slide right out a few days later. I was completely over not being able to style my hair the way I wanted to. Truth is, I could, I just didn’t have the knowledge of how. With some research, I discovered a few ways to get the styles I wanted, despite my short, tapered cut. If you’ve been trying to conquer protective styles for short hair, here are 8 options that’ll keep you fresh for the spring and summer months.
Feed-in Braids
Image Source: @adannamadueke
Adanna Madueke shows us that with some powerful styling products like Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Murray’s Edgewax, Style Factor Edge Booster, and Shine and Jam Gel you can achieve feed-in braids on short, 4C hair. As long as you know how to braid, this is a great, low-commitment protective style. Check out the tutorial posted to her YouTube channel.
Low Faux Bun
Image Source: @adannamadueke
Adanna is an absolute pro when it comes to styling her short fro. Here she is slaying a fax bun that looks completely natural. Get the tutorial on her Youtube Channel.
Braids
Image Source: @khloedosh
For the longest time, I reluctantly put braids in my hair because I was scared of them slipping out. The method of using rubber bands and braiding the hair onto each sectioned piece offers a bit of security that there will be no slippage. See Khloe’s method via her tutorial on her YouTube channel.
Bubble Ponytail
Image Source: @debyizy
Now this is a dope ponytail! Deby Izy shows us just how effective gel can be with this creative, chic style. In less than 5 minutes, she installs this Rapunzel-like ponytail on her YouTube channel.
Goddess Braid
Image Source: @thelolawilliams
The goddess braid is one of the most regal natural hairstyles out there. With the help of Wetline Extreme Gel and Style Factor Edge Control, Lola was able to sculpt this beautiful, flawless braid. Learn how to execute this look via her tutorial on her YouTube channel.
Spring Twists
Image Source: @thelolawilliams
Judging by Lola’s goddess braid, it’s safe to assume that she is skilled at styling her TWA. In another tutorial via her channel, she shows us how to install spring twists.
Bantu Knots
Image Source: @_crownedk
Bantu knots are great for women with shorter hair. Install with extra hair to add some girth to the look. Visit Crowned’s YouTube channel to see how she slayed this style.
Crochet with shaved sides
Image Source: @tailo_g
No hair? No problem! Talio shows us what to do when our hairstyle involves shaved edges. The beautiful thing about having shaved sides is that as long as you have a little bit of hair on top, you can style your leave-out to look however you want it to. Check out Talio’s YouTube Channel for all the details you need to copy the look.
If you’re in the ‘short hair, don’t care’ club, know that there are protective styling options available to you. Would you try any of these styles on your hair? What’s your go-to hairstyle for your short cut? Let us know in the comments!
