When you book your ticket to a summer holiday paradise, the last thing you need to worry about is your afro hair. Avoid the summer weather wreaking havoc on your afro curls during your time away by opting for a longer protective style like braids which can still help you look and feel stylish.
Like all protective styling options, braids can keep the ends of your natural hair tucked away to minimise manipulation. This type of hairstyle can also help you retain moisture and keep your hair nourished, diminish occurrences of frizz and combat split ends. Best of all, a braided style can work in drier or humid climates meaning it's an excellent choice for your summer holiday. So, give your heating tools a rest and opt for our top seven braided hairstyles on your next summer break.
French Braids
French braids are an ideal summer holiday style for any hair type. After washing and conditioning your curls, use our Leave-In Conditioner With Manuka Honey & Avocado Oil to detangle wet or damp natural hair. If your hair is particularly knotted, remember to detangle it in sections and start by detangling your ends rather than your roots first.
Both manuka honey and avocado are very moisturising, meaning they can give you more slip when detangling. Your French braids can be worn in the centre or on both sides of your head. If you plan to wear this braided style for longer, use our Everyday Curl Refresh With Coconut & Jamaican Black Castor Oils daily to enhance curl definition and keep your style hydrated for longer.
Goddess Braids
Goddess Braids are a low-maintenance protective style thicker than cornrows' traditional style. While they are also braided close to the scalp, goddess braids are raised higher and are bigger. To make these types of braids thicker, goddess braids are created with hair extensions and can last for four to six weeks.
Additionally, rather than braiding all your natural hair, you could opt for a mixture that accentuates a goddess braid hairstyle at the top with a natural afro at the bottom. As this style can be worn for longer, choosing a natural product that can maintain moisture and hold for longer is the most important thing.
We would recommend our Curling Creme With Coconut & Jamaican Black Castor Oils which can give your afro curls shine, body and moisture without weighing them down. These ingredients can also prevent hair breakage and split ends, meaning you can maintain healthier hair while on holiday.
Knotless Braids
This type of protective style gets its name as it does not have a small knot at the root when braiding, unlike box braids. It is incredibly versatile as it can work as a shorter or longer braid hairstyle and can be created with jumbo or smaller braids. routine, ensure your afro hair is dry. Then, before crafting these braids, divide your hair into sections and apply our Curling Mousse With Flaxseed Oil & Rosewater to seal in the moisture for longer so you can keep your softer, glossier hair.
Ombre Braids
Catch the eye of most on holiday with a braided Ombre style. To create this look, you need to weave in coloured hair extensions with your natural hair during the braiding process. Remember that an Ombre style involves the balayage technique where you can see the colour contrast. Start the braiding process with your natural curls at your roots and the other colour at your ends.
Braided Bun
By doing an elegant updo look for your night out, a braided bun does not require you to change your hairstyle depending on the occasion continually. Instead, opt for a traditional braided hairstyle during the day, and then use a hair tie to create a bun in the centre of your head at night. To add more chic to this style, you could also consider adding hair jewellery or hair cuffs to the ends of your braids.
Fulani Braids
Popular with celebrities like Normani and Venus Williams, Fulani braids begin with cornrows in the front and end with box braids at the back of your head. On occasion, Fulani braids can also have a cornrow down the centre of their head or one or more braided cornrows created away from your face near your temples.
To prepare your afro hair for this style, stretch your curls naturally using our Curl Elongating Gel With Flaxseed Oil & Rosewater before the braiding process. This gel can not only keep your braids hydrated but can also defy shrinkage. Then, before going to sleep, maintain your Fulani braids with a satin or silk scarf.
Braided Bob
To keep your hair and body cool during your summer break, try a braided bob that could come up to your chin or your shoulders. Use our Everyday Curl Refresh to prevent an itchy scalp while you wear this style for around three to five weeks.
Give your natural hair a break on your next summer holiday with a timeless yet effortless braided style. Braids are suitable for various occasions, and to retain this style, follow an excellent moisturising routine consistently.