Jumbo braids frame the face beautifully. Here, New York creative Micaéla Verrelien puts her own twist on the beloved style by intertwining some colored bobby pins in a criss-cross pattern in the front of her hair. They perk up her overall aesthetic and add a cheerful flair.
Wigs are incredibly versatile and give you the chance to try out all kinds of hairstyles without manipulating or touching your own hair. Whether you wear them regularly or you're a wig novice, consider getting one in an eye-catching style like this curly one on Micaéla so you can give your natural hair a well-needed break and let it grow unhindered.
Not all protective hairstyles require you to add faux hair to your own. Case in point: this classy updo by naturalista Jasmine Winters. Part your hair on the side to create two flat twists and brush the rest of your hair up into a high puff. For extra definition, you can braid the top of the puff for a couple of hours and then take them out for some loosely-defined curls.
Who says space buns are only for the young? These two buns look amazing, especially with the two cornrows in the front braided sideways. They also require minimal tools and time to achieve.
Headwraps are your best friend when you have limited time to do your hair but still want to look put together. They are great accessories and can be worn in many ways — with some of your hair left out, as seen on Aysha Sow, or completely cover your head. You can find affordable wraps at places like Loza Tam and the Wrap Life.
