3 Quick & Easy Protective Hair Styles to Try Right Now

Courtesy of @nikkinelms/Instagram Beauty Get your curls and coils just right this summer. by Jacquelyn Greenfield Updated: Feb. 20, 2024 Originally Published: March 25, 2021

If you have semi-tight curls to kinks, then your hair goals this summer should be all about retaining moisture and staying frizz-free with as little maintenance as possible. Luckily, celebrity hairstylist Nikki Nelms shared three quick and easy protective styles to try with NYLON. Click through to see for yourself.

We only include products that have been independently selected by NYLON's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

Courtesy of @nikkinelms/Instagram Airy Top Knot What’s easier than throwing all of your hair on top of your head? Nothing. According to Nelms, a top knot is the perfect balance of feeling effortless while still looking put-together. “Airy Top knots are chic and versatile. You can give a playful, tousled look with fly-aways and tendrils, or a more conservative look with more structure.”

Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus Extra Hold Hairspray Ulta Nelms notes that this hairspray’s soft hold will keep your hair laid without becoming too helmet-y. “Lightly spray your brush or comb before applying it to your hair. This will create a smooth look, but won't make your hair too hard.” $19.50 See on Ulta

Annie Easy Style Professional 2 Way Boar Bristle Hair Brush Target Depending on how thick your curls or kinks are, a boar bristle brush will most likely be the way to go for brushing your hair up into a top knot. The soft and hard bristles will help get the style you want without ripping or breaking your hair. $4 See on Target

Courtesy of @nikkinelms/Instagram Braids Braids, no matter the type, are the go-to protective style. Keeping your hair in braids “aids in keeping the hair tucked away in efforts to discourage tugging, heat damage and manipulation,” Nelms notes.

Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel Amazon No matter what style of braids you prefer, you’re going to want to use either a gel or styling pomade to help tame any frizziness. $7 See on Amazon

Courtesy of @hairitagehub/Instagram Two Flat Twists Flat twists are a super cute and easy style to do — and can be worn in multiple ways. “With two flat twists on each side, you can let them both hang like [pigtails], you can put them into [a] bun at the back of your neck, or you can twist them into two buns for a fun, playful look.”

Sebastian Professional Dark Oil Ulta “The key is moisture,” Nelms said. With your hair in any protective style, you want to keep it as hydrated and moisturized as possible. Nelms recommends applying this oil before doing flat twists. $48 See on Ulta

More from NYLON

Dua Lipa’s Best Red Carpet Beauty Moments By Jacquelyn Greenfield Teyana Taylor’s Beauty Evolution, From Teen Queen to Video Vixen By Jacquelyn Greenfield