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Winter Protective Styles for Naturals

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Tampa chapter.

Winter is here naturals! Even though we don’t experience the wrath of snow, the cold can still wear and tear on our hair. Now is the time to give those fingers a rest from all of the twisting, detangling, and moisturizing.  Try that cute knew style while keeping your hair protected.

Braids

Types: box braids, micro braids, cornrows, yarn braids

Perks: convenience, natural look, length, long-term 

The key to braids is they’re low-maintenance and, if kept up, can last a long time.  Braids are a cute way to keep the swag of natural hair while adding length.

Wigs

Types: Lace front, synthetic, 3/4

Perks: convenience, price, versatility, temporary

Short, long, curly, or straight, let’s be honest, wigs are miracle workers. They allow us to try a multitude of different textures, lengths, and colors for a convenient price. The best part is if the choice isn’t working, all it takes is a pull and the slate is fresh.

Weaves

Types: sew-in, glue-in

Perks: versatility, length, convenience, long-term

There are many advantages to choosing a weave for a protective style. A sew-in or glue-in allows a change in color for a long period of time. This is a great option to make up for the missing length. It is also an invitation to kill the hair flip that’s been so dearly missed.  

Twists

Types: havana twists, senegalese twists, marley twists, kinky twists

Perks: natural look, length, convenience, long-term

Twists are similar to braids in their ability to add length with little to no maintenance. If big and bold is the style you seek, twists will go beyond expectations. 

Photo Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Daina is a junior at the University of Tampa pursuing a degree in Journalism. Daina has loved writing from a the time she was a little girl. She is happy to have traded in the cold winters of her native state of Minnesota for the sunny beaches of the Tampa Bay area. When she is not hitting the pavement in search of her next story for class, Her Campus, or UT's newspaper, The Minaret, she has another set of interests. Chances are you will find Daina spending time with her family. Or she will be in the studio performing sun salutations, as she is a newly initiated yoga addict. Like most college students her age, Daina is engaged in the social media world, her favorite platforms are Pinterest and Tumblr. In the future, Daina aspires to be the Editor-In-Chief of a women's health magazine.