Protective Styles for Summer 2023
Summer is here, ready or not! Consider this your ultimate hair mood board for Summer 2023. I’ve compiled what I think are the hottest summer styles alongside some pros and cons of each style, because we need to be worrying about these passport stamps not our hair, OKAY!
If you’re planning on having a water-filled vacation there are so many things to consider when it comes to hair, and there are so many options to choose from. Check out the deets below!
Instead of boho/goddess braids with synthetic leave out … consider opting for boho/goddess braids with human hair
Braids with synthetic leave out can become a headache if you’re planning on being in the water this summer because they get matted and tangled even if they don’t get wet but getting them wet will definitely expedite this process.
Human hair is the way to go, and I know it can get pricey but you really only need one or two bundles for the leave out strands and you can stick to some good old Xpressions braiding hair for the rest.
Instead of passion twists … consider opting for faux locs
Passion twists aren’t ideal for water activities because the hair is is not wrapped tightly enough around itself and will likely start to quickly unravel. It’s not an ideal style for water sports but you might get away with a dip in the water, since your real hair is tucked away there should be minimal frizz.
There are 3 reasons why faux locs might be one of the best styles for a wet and wild vacation: 1) Your hair is completely tucked away; 2) The faux locs are tightly wound around your hair so they won’t easily unravel; 3) Faux locs look 10x better when they are worn in so they will only look better as the days and weeks go on. However, beware of the takedown process, I would recommend having the same person who installed your locs to remove them to avoid any unnecessary hair loss.
Instead of frontals … consider opting for a kinky sew in or a v-part wig
Some girls are a different breed and they are the girls that keep a frontal slayed and laid on vacation. Even they will admit that keeping that glue from melting away with the combination of sun, sweat and water can be tricky. A lot of times you will still have to get up and do your hair every morning which is not always what we want on vacation.
The key to styles with natural leave out is making sure that your hair blends easily with the added hair to allow for flexibility. Sew ins that match your natural texture gives you the versatility of being able to wear your hair straight but not having to worry about the textures matching if it gets wet.
Kinky V part wigs are something I am starting to see a lot more of because they are such a quick and easy style. You can keep the majority of your hair tucked away while still enjoying a kinky or curly look, and your leave out matches the texture of the wig so it’s a win win! Click here to check out Wynne Jean’s video on how she installed and maintained her wig while on vacation in Jamaica!
Just a disclaimer that these are all things to take into consideration and you should always do what you want with your hair
Remember that another extremely valid option is wearing your natural hair on vacation. At the end of the day you should go with whatever is least stressful for you. I know that our hair can be high maintenance at times, but remember, our hair is birthday hair, vacation hair, wedding hair, etc and if you’re going to choose a style, choose it because it not only makes you feel beautiful but it will allow you to have the most fun! So many of us spend our childhoods avoiding water and missing out on fun in order to preserve or protect our hair. Let’s choose to have fun now and worry about our hair later!
If you’re looking for some natural hairstyle inspo, check out my blog post!
