11 Protective Hairstyles for Natural Hair That Are Trending in 2022

Ask anyone in the natural hair community and they’ll tell you how essential protective hairstyles are to keeping hair healthy. Whether it’s the dead of winter or the hottest day of the year, there are plenty of looks to minimize manipulation, promote hair growth and reduce tangles. There are the classics (i.e. box braids), the low-maintenance ‘dos (i.e. top bun or wigs) and the latest trends at your disposal. So, whatever look you’re interested in, we asked a few hairstyles to give us the most popular protective hairstyles for natural hair to try out in 2022.

In 2022 (and forever honestly), you’ll see Bantu knots pop up everywhere. “Bantu knots are beyond a trend,” says Marty Harper, celebrity hairstylist and texture expert. “It’s a style that hits season after season. You’ve seen celebs like Rihanna, Cardi B and Yara Shahidi rocking this style in some incarnation. It’s protective, stylish and an easy look for all hair types.”

The best part is you don’t have to book a salon appointment. Harper suggests prepping your hair at home with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner before using a leave-in to help detangle and divide your sections. Once that’s all set, start twisting each section clockwise before wrapping the twisted piece around itself until the ends are secured tightly and repeat. (If you’re a beginner, consider a hair tie or bobby pins to keep them in place.) The fun part is you can decide the placements, the number of buns and the size.

“This classic style has been popular for decades with no hint of slowing down,” Monae Everett, celebrity hairstylist and texture expert, tells us. “Twists are a versatile option that people love because they can be created and styled in so many ways.” Grab two sections before wrapping them together to create a singular braid. Again, it’s totally up to you how many twists you want to show off. Everett recommends refreshing the style using a mousse (like the African Pride Moisture Miracle Rose Water & Argan Oil Curl Mousse) that can reduce frizz and dullness. Once you apply it on the twists, wrap a silk scarf around your hair until it dries. The second you remove the scarf, it’ll look spankin’ new again.

“Knotless box braids are a low manipulation hairstyle that supports hair growth and protects the wearer’s hair from split ends, breakage and dryness,” says Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, celebrity hairstylist and natural hair YouTube creator. “They can be styled in a variety of ways, from long to thick to evoking the Poetic Justice 90's aesthetic.” When it comes to knotless braids, stick to a wash and styling routine that can better help maintain the look. Taylor recommends a scalp cleanser, hair oil, foaming mousse and bonnet to protect, clean and condition braids.

We can’t emphasize enough how braids will always be a staple in the protective hairstyle world. Just look at cornrows for proof. “Cornrows are versatile and can be worn in a plethora of styles,” Everett tells us. “It can be a base style to hide underneath crocheted styles or it can be used as a way to set the hair for waves. Cornrows have stood the test of time and it’s a hairstyle that dates back to ancient Africans.” So, whether you want a laidback look, or you’re interested in channeling your inner Zendaya with waist-length braids, cornrows can be anything you want them to be. To protect your strands and scalp for the next few weeks, consider cleansers and conditioning products to maintain moisture, reduce frizz and keep look refreshed.

Trends come and go, but the classics are always here to stay. However, this year we’re going big…literally. “[Ponytails] are a forever trend,” Leatherwood insists. “It’s classic, easy and complements every hair type. [But] for 2022, we’ll specifically see the full princess pony.” Celebs like Issa Rae, Gabrielle Union and Ciara have recently rocked these voluminous, waist-length ponytails. It’s the low-maintenance ‘do that definitely makes a statement. Leatherwood also suggests sleeking down your baby hairs to bring the whole look together.

Goddess braids continue to be a timeless protective style that works with every season. While box braids are great, goddess braids take it a step further. “This style definitely is a modern twist on knotless or traditional box braid singles, but the extra fun part is that you can include wavy and curly hair throughout your braids to create a more ethereal look,” Johnson tells us.

FYI, braids and twists aren’t the only methods that fall under the protective styles umbrella. Extensions are a great alternative, and believe it or not, they can be worn in quite a few different ways. From sewn-ins to clip-ins, the style is a popular pick this year. Everett notes, “Many people love to use sewn-in extensions as a way to transition from relaxed to natural hair. This style is protective because the ends of the hair are tucked away and don't need to be manipulated daily. While the sewn-in hair extensions of today are styled a bit differently than the ones of the ‘90s, they are just as popular. More recently, people are wearing long hair extensions and more natural-appearing curly and coily hair textures.”