50 Coolest Protective Hairstyles for Natural Hair to Try in 2024

You might think protective hairstyles can be hard to come by, but you’d be wrong! These days there are so many ways to style your hair. Rock beautiful braids at an evening event, sport quick sassy styles based on a natural afro, or give a little attitude with an edgy updo.

Scroll through 50 pictures of stunning styles below and head down to your hairstylist. When you walk out that door, you’ll feel like a completely different person! You’ll also have a pile of new hairstyles to try next time you’re stuck!

1. Neat Braids with Cuffs. Do you have black hair and want to look like a queen? Opt for these neat curvy braids!

2. Lemonade Braids. Why have braids straight down to your back when you can braid in both directions around your head? This style will work for thin edges.

3. Low Updo. Double braids on each side and feed them into a cute pretzel-shaped bun at the nape for a classy updo, eye-catching from every angle.

4. Different Sizes Cornrows. Cornrowed hairstyles for natural hair certainly aren’t boring – this stunner looks more like a crown!

5. Cornrows and Curly Ponytail. Tightly coiled natural hair looks best when down and wild or up in a princess pony.

6. Plaited Sides. Wake up and go with a simple side braid pulled through beads on 4c hair.

7. Low Bun Style. Not a new idea, but still a good option to try on 4c hair, this updo brings drama to the top and a lot more to the bottom with a rounded plaited bun.

8. Two Puffy Boxer Braids. Look like a queen with edgy braids pulled apart once braided for a thicker, more impressive appearance.

9. Six Stitch Braids. This hairstyle not only exudes luxury but also ensures comfort! The well-defined, clear segments of stitch braids are a sight to behold. Moreover, this style is gentle on your scalp, minimizing any discomfort.

10. Braided Ponytail. Need hair out of the way but still want to look pretty? A braided pony is a classic and quick style that also gives your beautiful locks protection.

11. Smooth Silky Top Bun. Check out this sleek stylish bun! Look your best at an evening date with a silky straight weave hairstyle.

12. Thick Boxer Braids. Taming 4c hair is easy when you work them into braids fit for a princess.

13. Curled Bob Braids. You can make any hairstyle for your black hair as chic and fashionable as you prefer. Curly ends add a fresh, glamorous twist to the style.

14. Faux Undercut. This updo with delicate cornrows at the nape puts all other styles for curly hair to shame.

15. Geometric Cornrows. Turn heads with an updo boasting angled cornrows and curled baby hairs.

16. Intricately Cornrowed Hair. Lots of small cornrows are fed into two plaits and given warmth with an added color. Brilliant!

17. Tall Chunky Bun. Got long hair with extensions? Twirl it into a huge crown bun for an impressive yet easy updo.

18. Senegalese Twists. Be the star of your own show with Senegalese twists, throwing in bold beads for special accents.

19. Two Big Afro Buns. Cute Minnie Mouse buns are perfect for girls and women with afros who don’t mind a simple and fun hairstyle.

20. Bantu Knots. By now many girls have tried so many braided hairstyles from cornrows to box braids, Senegalese twists and all kinds of intricate braided patterns. This head full of quirky knots is good when you want to rock what you have without adding any extensions.

21. Two-Strand Twist Braids. Part your hair into small sections and twist each section from root to tip. Such twist braided hairstyles stay neat for weeks!

22. Very Long Twists. Senegalese twists are a great option for hair that needs protection. They will give you a flawless look and a desired length.

23. Shapely Natural Updo. For African American hair, a flattering updo with twist braids is easy, elegant, and fit for any occasion.

24. Upside Down Braid and Bun. A single-braid updo with a tightly twisted bun is classic and eye-catching. Good for medium relaxed hair.

25. Side Bun Updo. Several chunky flat twist braids around your head can make for a statement updo. Direct them to one side and pin the ends for a fresh take on the low bun.

26. Kanekalon Braids and Edges. Don’t you mind using some extensions? Try this cute updo with multiple Kanekalon braids featuring an added color.

27. Updo with 2-Stand Twists. An elegant updo like this one with flat twists shows off the neckline and that cute pair of earrings you’ve just bought!

28. Twists and Combcoils. A different take on a twisted updo, this style brings long twists up and leaves cute little combcoils to frame the updo around perimeter, like an undercut would.

29. Buns with Tiny Braids. For natural hair, incorporating tiny braids into bunchy buns is a great way to show off your mane!

30. Faux Mohawk. The curly updo with faux locs makes for a beautiful mohawk. The thin braids that protect edges keep it pretty but edgy.

31. Thick Colorful Plaits. For African American hair, chunky braids fed into buns help show off any color you add in.

32. Halo Braid. Look like an angel with a highlighted halo. Perfect for both everyday wear and any special occasion!

33. Blonde Faux Locs. Want to check if blondes really have more fun? Wear these for a couple of months and find out. It’s a relatively quick style done with a crochet method. We love!

34. Twists and Bun Updo. Need a style for protection and hair growth? Look no further! A natural hairstyle like this one encourages hair to grow and looks pretty feminine at the same time.

35. Knotted Faux-Mohawk. This beautiful updo hairstyle is feminine and edgy. It’s a great choice for any formal event.

36. Big Low Bun. There are hairstyles that do not pull that hard at your edges and encourage healthy hair growth. This natural updo is a good example.

37. Sleek Twisted Bun. Need a quick but eye-catching hairstyle for your black hair? Consider this twisted bun with an upside down plaiting.

38. Extra Long Braidwork. Very long braids are gorgeous, but even better with beads.

39. Pineapple Bun. Inspired by a pineapple, this unique style gathers different kinds of plaits into a bold bun.

40. Jumbo Twists. Hair extensions give your twisted hairstyles extra body and length. Use colored extensions for extra glow.

41. Half Curly Style. For curly hair, this half updo unleashes curls and throws in little details, such as a twist from ear to ear accented with charms.

42. Cornrows with Curls. Cornrows decorated with bobby pins create a fun version of the Mohawk updo and ensure you look your best wherever you’re off to!

43. Feed-In High Ponytail. To copy this hairstyle on your natural hair, your stylist will gradually feed in hair extensions to your cornrows. The outcome is a chic and graceful updo.

44. Updo with Voluminous Top. An updo with a little wave action! The sides get their own attention too, with a few smaller sectioned off pieces.

45. Four Dutch Plaits. Short on time? Bring four rows of plaits into two low buns or just tie the ends of each two braids together.

46. Fulani Braids. Hairstyles that protect edges don’t have to be boring. Working beads onto face-framing braids gives that extra oomph.

47. Golden Accents in Locs. Looking to add a little something to your hairstyle? Incorporate a gold string or beads for an ultra-flattering updo.

48. Coiled Bun Updo. The intricate plaits look like a rose when arranged around a bun.

49. Huge Flat Twists. Show off your dense 4c hair texture in a thick natural flat twist updo. Bring twists to the back of the head and gather into a chunky bun.

50. Flat Twists Updo. Move from rocking cute cornrows this week to wearing gorgeous curls the next week, all in one single hairstyle. Hairstyles like this updo yield the cutest 4c curls when undone.

The next time you’re struggling to find new interesting hairstyles, take a look through our galleries for natural hair. There’s a simple or intricate design for every taste and occasion!