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6 Protective Hairstyles to Eliminate Shedding

Natural hair bloggers share their favorite hairstyles to lock in moisture and prevent cold-weather breakage
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If You're Running Late
This protective hairstyle is quick and easy for those mornings when all you have time for is a swipe of lipstick. It also holds well if you want to do it the night before. Start by creating a part from one eyebrow. Apply some olive oil or styling gel to your hair and brush it through to create a smooth texture. Create a simple, three-strand braid from your part to the bottom of your ear and pin it back into your hair. Repeat the same step on the other side.

Next, take the hair left in the back of your head and begin tucking and rolling it toward the nape of your neck, section by section, pinning each area as you go. Youtuber Zoe Allamby uses EcoStyler Styling Gel and olive oil to smooth her edges and add shine at the end. Finally, tuck the style into a do-rag or headscarf to protect the hairstyle while you sleep.

See the full tutorial here.

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If You're Tired of Updos
Sleek, tucked-away updos aren't the only hairstyles that will protect your hair from breaking and shedding in the colder months. When you tire of tight updos, try this simple tutorial for Marley twists on natural hair.

Start with dry, detangled and stretched hair. Section off the top half into a bun at the top of your hair, and run your moisturizing product or gel through the bottom half. For each twist, section how much hair you want off at the root and secure it with an elastic band. Tug gently to get the rubber band to the very top of the strand of hair. Hair vlogger Melissa Denise adds Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie to the tips of her fingers before beginning each two-strand twist. At the bottom of each strand, twist the hair around your finger before securing with another elastic. As you continue, keep bringing more sections down from the top, working your way to the top of your head. Once you've reach the top, part your hair with a comb and work around the part as you create more twists.

You can maintain the moisture by adding coconut oil and wrapping the twists around your head under a scarf when you sleep, just as you would straight hair.

Watch the full tutorial here.

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If Braiding Isn't Your Strong Suit
While most protective hairstyles involve braids, this hairstyle uses flat twists to protect and secure your ends from breakage. Begin this protective hairstyle by sectioning off an area of hair at your crown. Then section off hair on either side of your head, leaving some hair down in the back to work with. Natural hair blogger Vaughn Monroe applies Entwine Couture Exotique Butter Creme Hydrator to coat the hair in the back, followed by Entwine Couture Creme De La Mold. (Note: this is a sticky pomade, so Monroe suggests warming the product in your hands before applying it to your hair.) Brush the product through, then put the section into a ponytail to come back to later.

Next, take down one of the side sections to work with. Spritz the section with water followed by your choice of moisturizing product, then smooth down your edges with your favorite edge control product. Then, from the front, start to flat twist the hair toward the back. (If flat twists are too difficult for you, Monroe says rolling and tucking is an easier alternative.) Twist the hair all the way to the ends, then repeat on the other side.

For the back section of your hair, start by spritzing it with water, then add your moisturizing product and brush it through. Next, take your two twisted sections, pull them to the back where they meet, and pin them down. Take the remaining hair that's down and roll and twist it up, tucking it through the pinned down section and hiding the pins.

For the crown section, after applying water and moisturizing product, Monroe adds Entwine Couture Creme Jelle Styler for some texture and hold. She also adds an argan oil for additional moisture. Twist the hair to hold the moisture, then pin it loosely to one side like a faux bang. This style will keep your hair out of your face, and your ends tucked and moisturized in the brittle cold.

Watch the full tutorial here.

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If You Want a Funkier Look
Start this pompadour hairstyle by parting your hair into three sections. Part your hair straight down the middle, then brush some hair forward for a section from your forehead. Pull that front section into a tight twist and pin it out of the way as you work on the rest of the hairstyle. With the two remaining sections, pin the section you're not working on out of the way, as well. Beauty vlogger Isa K. Alston adds a bit of moisture to her hair by spritzing it all over with water. Then, Alston adds Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter.

Next, comb through the section of hair you're working on, smoothing it back and toward the center and working out the tangles. Alston applies Arganics "OutSmooth This" Edge Smoothing Gel with her fingers and a small hairbrush to slick the hair back toward the center part. Then, take the bottom of the section of hair you're working on and begin to tightly twist it upward. Use a hair elastic to secure it, then braid the ends of the ponytail you have created. Pin this braid out of the way, and repeat the process on the opposite section. Pin down both braided ends toward your front section of hair.

Now for the front section of hair, apply any moisturizing product, before you roll the section of hair back from your face. Finish with additional edge control gel, and your pompadour is complete!

Watch the full tutorial here.

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If You Want to Style Existing Twists
This big, high bun is an extra elegant look to create on older twists. Youtuber Alicia James did this tutorial with three-week-old loose two-strand twists. Start by pulling all the hair toward the top of your head. You can use an elastic headband as a hair tie to secure everything at to top. Flip the ponytail so all the ends are spread out and facing down. Next, start taking the ends and wrapping them around your ponytail into a bun, pinning them down as you go. Work your way around your head until the whole bun is secure. In three quick steps, your hair is ready to go.

Watch the full tutorial here.

As excited as we get about changing leaves and fall fashions, the colder temperatures in fall and winter certainly have their downside. Brittle temperatures dry out skin and hair, and can be particularly damaging to natural hair, causing shedding, breakage and greater difficulty in growing hair longer and stronger. To lock in moisture to your natural hair, opt for twisted hairstyles with hidden ends. These protective hairstyles from our favorite natural hair bloggers will keep your hair long and strong throughout the cold seasons -- with zero shedding.
BY HAYLEY MASON | NOV 24, 2014 | SHARES
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