by Tara E. l April 28, 2024
When managing natural hair, the word “tension” might make you think of a tightrope walker balancing high above a circus crowd. Just like our high-flying friend, you want to keep everything in balance without stressing out—especially your natural hair and your precious scalp! Low-tension protective styles are the perfect way to do just that. They keep your hair safe and sound, letting it grow without pulling it too tight or worrying about excessive manipulation. In this article, we’ll dive into some cool, easy-to-do styles that not only look great but are hair-esthetically relaxing, too!
What Are Low Tension Protective Styles?
Protective styles serve as a guardian for your hair. They protect your strands from the wear and tear of daily life, like brushing, styling, and even the weather. Low-tension styles take this one step further by ensuring that this protection doesn’t come at the cost of pulling your hair too tightly, which can lead to breakage or damage. It’s like protecting your hair without squeezing it too tight—a gentle hug instead of a tight squeeze!
Styles like loose braids, twists, rodsets, and updos allow your hair to chill out and grow without stress. These styles are especially great for those with natural curls and coils prone to tangling and breakage. By keeping your hair in these gentle-hold styles, you’re not only keeping it stylish but also super healthy!
Why Choose Low Tension Styles?
Imagine tying your shoes. If you tie them too tight, your feet feel squished all day. The same goes for your hair. Tight hairstyles like high ponytails or cornrows can pull on your scalp and weaken your hair over time. This can lead to headaches, hair thinning, and even hair loss—no thank you!
Low-tension styles are the sneaker of hairstyles—comfortable, functional, and stylish. They allow your scalp to breathe a bit more, which helps promote healthier hair growth. Plus, they can help reduce breakage, maintain moisture, and keep those natural oils doing their thing. Healthy hair is happy, and happy hair doesn’t need to be pulled tight to look good!
Best Low-Tension Styles to Try
Ready to style without the stress? Here are three awesome low-tension protective styles you can try that are as easy on your hair as on your eyes!
1. Rod Sets
Are you a fan of curls? We are too. Rod set natural hairstyles are an excellent solution for any naturalist seeking to protect hair while adding a touch of style. Rod sets may require some work initially as you search for the best size to fit your needs. After all, you will need to consider if you are aiming for a loose curl pattern or a tight curl pattern. However, once you find your match, you will consider it a curl heaven. Keep in mind there is no right or wrong curl size. It’s about your needs and your stylistic goals. Also, don’t forget to use a good setting lotion to help your hair set and hold curls. Apply setting lotion as you install the rods, then sit under the dryer until your hair is completely dry.
2. Twist Outs
Twist-outs are not only trendy but also super gentle on your hair. A twist-out is a cool, easy hairstyle for natural hair that involves dividing your hair into sections, putting on some moisturizer or styling cream, and twisting the sections. For moisturizers or styling creams, Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream are popular choices. They help make your twists look smooth, and your curls pop! It’s a great way to make your natural curls and waves look amazing without using too much heat or pulling your hair too tightly.
To get the best curls, you need to leave your twists in until they are totally dry. This might take longer if your hair holds onto moisture tightly and less time if your hair dries quickly. If you’re letting your hair dry independently, it’s good to keep the twists overnight or for about 12 hours. You can also use a bonnet hair dryer or hooded dryer that blows warm air to dry your hair faster. A hooded or bonnet hair dryer will dry your hair more evenly than a regular hand-held hair dryer. However, if you have nothing else handy, a hand-held dryer will also get the job done! If you take your twists out too soon, when wet, your hair might get frizzy and not curl as nicely. Thus, patience is key!
3. Halo Braids
A halo braid is a beautiful hairstyle that wraps around your head like a crown, making you look like a royal! This heavenly style wraps your hair into a beautiful crown around your head. It’s perfect for any occasion and keeps your hair tucked away and tension-free. Plus, it’s a total showstopper! To create a halo braid, you start by brushing your hair to make it smooth. Then, you pick a spot to start and begin braiding around your head, adding more hair to the braid as you go along. When you get back to where you started, you tuck the end of the braid under the beginning and secure it with pins. This elegant style can stay in for several days if you take care of it properly.
How to Maintain Your Low Tension Style
Choosing a low-tension style is just the beginning. Keeping it looking fresh and fabulous is all about maintenance. Here are some tips to keep your protective style in perfect shape.
Moisturize Regularly
Just because your hair is tucked away doesn’t mean it doesn’t need love. Keep your hair hydrated using sprays or creams that don’t require you to manipulate your style too much.
Night Care
To take care of your loose box braids, moisturize your scalp and hair regularly with a spray or oil, like coconut oil or a leave-in conditioner. This keeps your hair healthy and prevents it from drying out. Also, wear a silk or satin scarf at night to protect your braids while you sleep. This helps prevent frizz and keeps your braids looking neat longer. With the right care, your loose box braids will keep you looking cool and comfortable for weeks!
Taking care of your twist-out hairstyle helps it last longer and keeps your curls looking awesome! With the right care, a twist-out can stay fresh for up to a week. Here’s how you do it: each night before bed, gently re-twist your hair to keep the curls defined. Use a moisturizing product like Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream to keep your hair soft and shiny. In the morning, untwist your hair carefully to bring back those lovely curls. Also, don’t forget to sleep with a silk or satin scarf on your head or use a silk pillowcase. This protects your hair from getting frizzy and tangled while you sleep. With these simple steps, your twist-out will look great for days!
To keep your halo braid looking fresh, cover your hair with a silk scarf or bonnet at night; this helps prevent frizz and keeps everything tidy. In the morning, you might need to smooth some flyaways with a little hair gel or spray. It’s a great style for busy weeks because it keeps your hair neat and pretty without needing a lot of daily fuss. This helps your style last longer and keeps your hair smooth and breakage-free.
Be Gentle
When it’s time to style or take down your hair, be gentle. Use products that help detangle and tools that won’t pull or snag. Your hair will thank you for the gentle touch!
Conclusion
Low-tension protective styles are a fantastic way to keep your natural hair healthy, growing, and looking great. They provide the protection your hair needs without the pull, allowing you to rock your natural beauty without compromise. So next time you think about a new style, consider going low-tension and giving your hair the gentle, loving care it deserves. Not only will your hair look great, but it’ll also feel great—no tightrope walking necessary!
Products Featured in This Article
Mulberry Silk Pillow Cases
KISS 1875 Watt Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer
Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
ZENY Stand-Up Hair Dryer
Satin Bonnet Silk Bonnet Hair Bonnet
120Pcs Hair Perm Rods Set, 6 Sizes Plastic Hair Cold Wave Rods, Heatless Perming Rods Hair Curlers Rollers with Pintail Comb for Natural Hair DIY Hairdressing Styling Tools
Lottabody Coconut Oil and Shea Wrap Me Foaming Curl Mousse