The Caribbean Secrets Cosmetics Blog is dedicated to educating our community about hair care tips, techniques, and history that will help maximize your curly hair's potential. Your curly hair deserves growth, more definition, and moisture throughout the day. We feel that having healthy hair is important and is vital to the productivity in our communities around the world because when your hair looks good you will be more confident and perform better in everything you do. We want to be apart of your journey. Our aim is to give your hair-care regimen an extra boost because we value you and your curly hair. We hope that this helps!

PROTECTIVE STYLES

Protection:
Textured hair is extremely fragile and must be treated with great care to help it reach its greatest potential. Protective hairstyling is a preservation method that has been used for centuries to protect textured hair. Once textured hair reaches shoulder-length the hair grows more prone to splitting and breakage as it rubs against the shoulders. Shirts that are made with fabrics such as cotton, nylon, polyester, etc (except silk and satin) creates harmful friction with our hair ends that may crack the hair cuticle and cause breakage. When textured hair is put into protective styles the right way it will lessen the affects of this issue.

Hair Growth:
If you feel that your hair has reached a plateau, incorporating a few protective styles into your hair care regimen each week will make a difference in your journey giving you the ability to retain length faster and more curl definition. Hair care regimens that emphasize protective hairstyling stand a greater chance of producing healthier longer hair faster than regimens in which the hair is regularly worn out and manipulated. Although protective styles can help hair growth, it is important to know that protective styles are not required for hair growth. There are many people with textured hair who wear their hair without ever putting it into a protective style but still retain great lengths.

Below we have listed 5 popular protective style that you can use to retain length and protect your natural tresses.

1. Braids & Twists

Braids and twists are low-manipulation protective styles that do not need to be combed daily and drastically cuts down on day to day manipulation. These styles tend to stretch and lengthen the hair which also prevents textured hair from knotting.

Braid-Outs:
When your hair is released from braids it will create sharp Z-shaped bends and angles that enhances the appearance of your curls. 

Twist-Outs:
When your hair is released from twists your hair will appear more wavy than braids, like an S-shape. In many cases twist outs tend to stretch out your curls more than braid outs.

It is important to know that when creating either one of these protective styles, your hair must be adequately moisturized. We recommend using Caribbean Secrets Cosmetics Moisturizing Mist and Caribbean Secrets Cosmetics Haitian Black Castor Oil when creating these styles to ensure that your hair maximizes on the benefits of braids and twists.

2. Ponytails

Ponytails are a popular protective style that keeps your hair up and off your shoulders. Keep in mind that if pulled too tightly ponytails can lead to thinning and breakage on your hairline. Ponytails can be accomplished in a couple different ways depending on whether you are wearing your hair in a relaxed or natural style. 

Relaxed Hair Ponytails:

Ponytails with relaxed hair are best done in an almost dry state because relaxed hair when wet or moisturized is very prone to damage from stretching.

Natural Hair Ponytails:

Natural ponytails however are best created on moist hair. Please keep in mind that your hair should not be put into a ponytail if it is dripping wet because when our hair is wet it is more elastic and when it dries it naturally begins to contract. Overtime this can make your hair weaker, resulting in breakage.

***Bonus Tips***
You can tell your ponytail is too tight if when you turn your head or if simple facial expressions such as smiling results in tugging or tension on your edges and hairline. If this happens, loosen the tension by loosening your hair tie. Alternating the position of your ponytail is strongly encouraged to reduce breakage. Another tip is to oil your hair tie to reduce friction and hair breakage when forming your ponytail.

3. Buns & Updos

Buns and updos are a step up from ponytails. These protective styles protect the ends of the hair by keeping the hair up and off the shoulders. It is best to use these protective styles when the hair is fully at shoulder length because if the hair is too short these styles are less protective.

***Bonus Tip***
Your hair can be styled into a bun when your hair is either wet or dry, however be cautious when styling your hair into a bun when wet.

4. Locs

Locs are a popular protective style that carries many spiritual and cultural significance. Locs are considered a protective hairstyle because you don't need to wash them often. Locs is a protective style that retains moisture and enables you to break away from heat and other chemicals that others use to maintain their look. Although locs require less maintenance than other hairstyles, locs still require cleansing, protein/moisture conditioning and application of nutritious oils to maintain a healthy look.

Weekly moisture mists and oil sealing are important for infusing locs with moisture.

Recommended Products:
We recommend using Caribbean Secrets Cosmetics Moisturizing Mist and Caribbean Secrets Haitian Black Castor Oil to keep your locs moisturized. Also Caribbean Secrets Cosmetics Crème is a conditioner that contains a superior balance of protein and moisture.

***Bonus Tip***
When maintaining locs it is important to avoid grease-like products that includes beeswax and/or petrolatum. These ingredients can cause build up in the core of the loc.

5.Wigs & Weaved Styles 

Applying wigs and weaved styles to your hair is a versatile protective style that will add spice and variety to your hair care regimen and overall look. 

However, misuse of these protective styles are common. Many people get weaves or wigs thinking that they are absolved from dealing with their real hair underneath, spending weeks at a time without giving their hair any moisture or water. This type of negligence may lead to breakage, dandruff, and other hair complications.

***Bonus Tips***
Before applying weaves or extensions your hair must be in good shape. Breakage, and shedding issues with your hair must be resolved before adding weaves because once your hair is woven or braided, it will be difficult for you to access your hair and treat any problems.

We hope that this blog has helped you gain a better understanding of the different protective styles that you can use for your textured hair! Please use this information at your discretion to better approach your hair care journey.