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Those with curly and coily hair know that summer is peak protective style season. There’s something about the gorgeously warm days that make us want to experiment with different braid, twist, and faux loc looks. And these days, there are so many ways to put a spin on all types of protective styles.

If you're in need of some protective style inspo this summer, we've got you covered. Ahead, we've rounded up 20 unique and chic examples of protective styles perfect for the warmer months.

01 of 27

Cornrows and Curls

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Issa Rae showcased a fun way to wear cornrows and curls with this half-braided, half-curly look. Not only are cornrows easy to maintain, but they can also be applied with or without extensions (like Rae did).

02 of 27

Micro Braid Ponytail

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Never worn micro braids? Solange is making a good case for why you should this summer. Her chic micro braid ponytail—complete with perfectly swooped edges—is the perfect style for any occasion.

03 of 27

Fulani Braids

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Fulani braids are a fun braided look to sport during the warmer months. Rihanna's take on the style features braids that curve beautifully around the perimeter of her head, adding a unique touch.

04 of 27

Goddess Braids

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Trade in your box braids for knotless goddess braids. The curly pieces add volume and flair to the braided style.

05 of 27

Mini Braided Buns

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There's so much to love about Tessa Thompson's hair at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. First off, her cornrow buns are absolutely adorable. Secondly, the copper extensions added to her hair offer the perfect pop of color.

06 of 27

Senegalese Twists

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If you've been wanting to try Senegalese twists, take this as your sign to give this summer. Kerry Washington enhanced the look by using a subtle two-color hair blend and chic hair accessories.

07 of 27

Twisted Updo

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Alicia Keys is known for wearing braided looks, but she's no stranger to twists as well. Here, she shows us how beautiful jumbo twists look when pulled up into a bun.

08 of 27

Decorative Space Buns

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Space buns are a fun and playful hairdo, making them perfect for summer. Singer Tems elevated her messy space buns by adding a few decorative pearls and mini cornrows in the center of her hair.

09 of 27

Cornrow Ponytail

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Cornrow ponytails are a timeless protective style. They're an especially great summer vacation style because they require minimal effort to maintain. Just smooth away any flyaways and frizz using a mousse or lightweight gel.

10 of 27

Faux Locs

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Keke Palmer's fiery red faux locs are definitely worth recreating this summer. Add a fun touch to the look by leaving the ends curly.

11 of 27

Half-Up, Half-Down Braids

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Leave it to Tracee Ellis Ross to deliver an unexpected take on braids. Here, the actress created a simple yet sophisticated half-up, half-down look with braids. The look features two braids up top and one on the bottom.

12 of 27

Sleek and Sculpted Bun

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Quinta Brunson has worn many stunning hairstyles, but her sculpted bun is one of our favorite looks. While it looks simple, the bun was achieved by intricately twisting the hair and pinning it to achieve its unique shape.

13 of 27

Passion Twists

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Essentially, passion twists merge the beauty of goddess locs and Senegalese twists. It's the perfect carefree style for all of your summer plans.

14 of 27

Bantu Knots

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Bantu knots have long been a go-to protective style. Yara Shahidi put her own spin on the look by rocking loosely twisted buns and leaving out a few curly pieces.

15 of 27

Bows and Bangs

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There are so many ways to style faux locs. Case in point: Actress Lupita Nyong'o styled hers in the shape of a bow, completing the look with full-coverage bangs.

16 of 27

Braided Bob

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For those with short hair, a braided bob is a must-try summer look. Don't forget to accessorize the blunt ends with chic hair charms.

17 of 27

Classic Cornrows

You can never go wrong with classic cornrows. Here, Storm Reid opted for five braids going straight down her back.

18 of 27

Bow Braids

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These ponytails are far from simple. Janelle Monae accessorized her two large braids with bows made from extensions, hair gems, and broaches.

19 of 27

Large Knotless Braids

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Consider large or jumbo knotless braids if you don't have time to sit for hours on end. But while they may take less time to complete, they're still just as stunning as medium and small knotless styles.

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Long Braided Ponytail

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Looking for a statement-making style? Consider a cascading braided ponytail. Give the extra-long style an added dose of elegance by creating three small braids and wrapping them around the base of the ponytail.

21 of 27

Pixie Twists

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If you have short hair and don't want to add any extensions/extra hair, then opt for short twists styled in a pixie cut. After you take the twists out, you'll be left with a chic, textured bob.

22 of 27

Goddess Locs

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Locs are a protective style on their own, but who says you can't have a little fun with them? Halle Bailey shows us that adding tons of extra goddess locs hair gives the hair an extra volume boost that looks both elegant and glamorous.

23 of 27

Ultra Glam High Ponytail

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A high ponytail like Gabrielle Union's is one of the easiest protective styles to do—all you need is a stiff brush, edge control, and a drawstring ponytail. Simply slick back the hair with a stiff brush (make sure to use a bit of edge control to keep the hair shiny and frizz free), and create a bun. Then attach the ponytail to the bun, and voila! A protective style that is both easy and incredibly chic.

24 of 27

Blonde Low Bun

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The best thing about braids? Yes, there a style in and of themselves, but you can also style the braids. Zoe Kravitz's low bun is the perfect style for a special event, or on hot days when you want to keep your braids off of your neck.

25 of 27

Extra Long Cornrows

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Straight back cornrows are always going to be a vibe, but hip-length ones like Storm Reid's take it to the next level. You can even add in a bit of blonde braiding hair for extra dimension.

26 of 27

Jumbo Fishtail Braids

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Looking for an easy protective style that has maximum impact? Try out Danielle Fishback's jumbo fishtail braids. And if you don't know how to do a fishtail braid, check out our tutorial.

27 of 27

Layered Microbraids

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Just because you get braids doesn't mean you have to get them all one length. Kiersey Clemons's updated Rachel cut (complete with coppery red microbraids) is the perfect update.

FAQ

• What protective style is least damaging?

  Any protective style that isn't too heavy or adds too much tension to your scalp is a great option. Knotless braids, twists, as well as loose buns and ponytails are all great options.

• Do protective hairstyles help hair grow?

  Protective styles do not help your hair grow any faster than it naturally does, however, you may find that the hair is healthier since it's been protected from excess heat and chemicals.