The beauty of protective/low-manipulation styling is that it is very versatile. You have plenty of options when it comes to this type of styling to keep your locks healthy.
Low-manipulation and protective styling differ in that the low-manipulation styles still require some type of working with the hair that most likely includes detangling. For example, buns can be a good low manipulation style. With protective styling, you are able to let your hair "rest" sort of speaking.
When I was transitioning, buns were my absolute favorite go to style. I would usually twist the edge of one side of my head to make the buns less plain. However, I would have to blow out my hair as well in order to achieve this style which was not only time consuming each week, but also damaging to my hair. Now that I am fully natural, I have not used heat of any kind on my hair but it is also much easier to manage because I don't have those pesky straight ends still hanging on and needing to blend them in. Wash and Go's and twist outs have been my main styles but I realized my hair (and my fingers) needed a good break.
Protective styling is GREAT for this because it protects your strands from over-manipulation and from this harsh winter weather coming up. I recently put in some Marley Twists myself. I plan to leave them in for about 3-4 weeks though it is possible to leave them in for 6-8 even. Any longer, unless done very well, the twists begin to look funky. The process, since I have never attempted these before, took a total of 6 hours and 3&1/3 packs of Marley braiding hair. I payed only $5 per pack at a local beauty supply so this style is very affordable. I didn't want to shell out $150-200 to get them done at a hair salon so I decided to attempt them myself and they look pretty good ! I went for a chunky natural look. I love how versatile they are and I can wear them in some many ways !
If you don't like the look of Marley twists, you have other options like box braids, Senegalese twists, or even wigs and weaves if done well. The internet is your best friend when deciding what style is best for you. YouTube helped me achieve my Marley twists but there are tons and tons of tutorials out there for the other styles as well if you want to do it yourself.
Going natural is not easy if you are transitioning but protective styling is a key tool that you can use to mask the two textures between your new growth and your straight ends.
So remember ! The internet is your best friend. Search styles and tutorials and have fun with it :).
For more on my Marley twists visit my YouTube video.
Don't forget to comment bellow with any questions or comments you have for me! Next tip will be on CONDITIONING !
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