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protective hairstyles | Zikoko!
  • Naturalistas, You Should Definitely Try These Afro Hairstyles

    There comes a time in every naturalista’s life when trying to figure out a cute protective style suddenly becomes rocket science, or you simply don’t have the time to. The afro comes in handy, but you don’t have to stick to one afro style.

    Switch up your ‘fro with these hairstyles.

    Afro with side plaits

    Afro with side plaits

    Image: Sunika.co.za

    You don’t need to have expert plaiting skills to achieve this look. Add two or three simple flat twists, secured with bobby pins, to one or both sides of your head, and you’re good to go.

    Twist out afro

    Twist out afro

    Image: Natural Hair Mag

    This look can be achieved by styling your damp, moisturised hair in large twists (preferably the night before), allowing it to dry completely before untwisting, and using your fingers to comb them out slightly.

    Side part afro

    Side part afro

    Image: Glory Okings

    Whether your ‘fro is short or long, this style will look good, and it’s easy to make too. Just comb your hair out and part the side you prefer.

    Full afro

    Full afro

    Image: All things hair

    TBH, rocking a full afro involves serious skills. You’ll have to make sure your ‘fro stays full, round and doesn’t bow to humidity. But once you hack it, you’re sure of a bold, beautiful look every time.


    RELATED: 8 Natural Hairstyles That Won’t Stress Your Life


    Low afro

    Low afro

    Image: Marsai Martin on Instagram

    If you have fuller hair, you can also try a low afro. Just be sure to use enough conditioner and bobby pins or other accessories to hold your hair halfway down.

    High ponytail afro

    High ponytail afro

    Image: All things savvy

    For better hold, use a shoelace or satin hair tie to keep your ‘fro in place. The idea is for it to be firm, but not too tight.

    Low ponytail afro

    Low ponytail afro

    Image: Jumia

    If your ‘fro isn’t long enough for a high ponytail, you can also go low.

    Double afro puffs

    Double afro puffs

    Image: Coils and glory

    When one ponytail isn’t enough, do double.

    Mohawk afro

    Mohawk afro

    Image: Byrdie

    There’s absolutely nothing boring about a mohawk. Best believe you’ll be turning heads with this look.


    RELATED: 12 Hairstyles That Make Transitioning To Natural Hair Easier


    Afro with bangs

    Afro with bangs

    Image: Latest hairstyles

    This style might be tricky, especially for 4C hair, but it can be achieved by styling your hair like you would a twist out, with lots of water and mousse, and positioning it how you want it to look immediately after, so it dries like that. Keeping it that way throughout the day may be tricky, but it can work.

    Half-up afro

    Half-up afro

    Image: Hot beauty health

    Why choose between a ponytail and a full afro when you can have both?

    Afro with cornrows

    Afro with cornrows

    Image: Hairadviser

    If you’re one of those witches insanely talented people who know how to make cornrows on themselves, this style is a stunning alternative to a full ‘fro.

    Short afro

    Short afro

    Image: Junior Green

    Short hair? You can also rock your ‘fro with style. For volume, comb out your natural hair or play with whatever accessories you like. The goal is to be your best fashionable self in whatever hairstyle you choose.

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    NEXT READ: 20 Stunning Ghana Weaving Styles to Try Out in 2023

  • 20 Stunning Ghana Weaving Styles to Try Out in 2024

    It’s 2024, and while the girlies seem to be moving towards knotless French curls and micro kinky braids, we bring you 20 reasons why Ghana weaving should be at the top of your protective style list.

    What do Ghana weaving styles look like?

    Also called Ghana Braids, this style is a type of cornrow braiding that originated in Ghana. They require hair extensions and are usually braided straight back to achieve the signature dense look.

    ghana weaving

    Image: @_jkimble on Instagram

    Here are 20 of the hottest Ghana weaving styles you can easily recreate.

    Braids in a high ponytail

    ghana weaving braids in a high ponytail

    Ghana braids ponytail. Image: Maboplus

    If you love ponytails, this is perfect for you. You can switch this sleek high ponytail look up by braiding the ponytail into one large braid.

    Micro Ghana weaving

    micro ghana weaving

    Image: Kanyinz Blog

    This look might have you spending more time at the hairdresser’s, but if style longevity is what you seek, try the micro-sized braids. Micro styles also offer versatility. 

    Criss-cross Ghana braids

    criss-cross Ghana braids

    Image: iamcreation_of_beautyyy on Instagram

    For when you want to add a twist to the simple all-back braids.

    Ghana braids with curls

    ghana braids with curls

    Image: Laadey.com

    You can make the ends curly or add curly extensions between each cornrow. Doesn’t this just make you want to weave your hair too?


    RELATED: 10 Different Ways to Style Knotless Braids


    Ghana weaving up-do (or shuku)

    ghana weaving up-do

    Image: Yen.com.gh

    Because a stylish up-do will always work.

    Fulani-style braids

    fulani ghana braids

    Image: stylecraze

    If there were such a thing as a Ghana weaving constitution, it’d say this look isn’t complete without cowrie beads or some other local hair accessory.

    Large Ghana braids

    large ghana weaving braids

    Image: Laadey.com

    You don’t have to spend hours styling this, and it’s stunning too. Classic win-win.

    Double ponytails

    ghana weaving double ponytail braids

    Image: Dailyhindnews

    Channel 90s chic with this youthful double ponytail look. It also works with short braids.

    Ghana weaving with beads

    ghana weaving with beads

    Image: ThriveNaija

    For when you want to add a little razzle-dazzle.


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    Braided bun

    ghana weaving braided bun

    Image: Hairmotive

    The length of the braids will determine how full the bun will be. The longer the braids, the thicker the bun.

    Side-swept Ghana braids

    side-swept ghana braids

    Image: Laadey.com

    Why stick to a simple all-back look when you can try this side-swept beauty too? Again, this works for short and long braids.

    Ghana braids with wavy partings

    ghana braids with wavy parting

    Image: braidsby_veronica on Instagram

    One thing’s for sure; you’ll stand out with these wavy partings. They’re less common than the standard straight partings. And you don’t need to think too much about styling options because the partings are a whole lewk by themselves.

    Half-up braids

    half-up ghana weaving braids

    Image: Israel Ribeiro

    Save time by braiding only half of your hair and leaving the rest either as a curly or straight afro.

    Braided bob

    braided ghana weaving bob

    Image: Futibraids on Instagram

    Not every time long braids, sometimes go short. This look is pretty straightforward, but definitely not boring. You can experiment with different colours, plus it’s really easy to style.

    Jumbo feed-in braids

    jumbo feed-in ghana braids

    Image: Tantalstyles

    For when you’re in the mood for a simple, no-frills look.

    High curly bun

    high curly bun

    Image: Ghanabraidstyles

    After styling your braids in a basic high bun, crochet in some curly extensions to add a twist. 

    Ghana stitch braids

    ghana stitch braids

    Image: Savs styles

    You can’t go wrong with classic stitch braids. You can style this look into a low bun or with the ends braided together into a single ponytail.

    Ghana weaving with face-framing braids

    ghana weaving with face-framing braids

    Image: Gbemzy beauty

    For the babes with exotic foreheads who swear by face-framing styles.

    Mohawk braids

    Mohawk braids

    Image: Black hair ideas

    This style works great for a bold look. You can style the mohawk into an afro if you prefer a shorter style.

    Half-up braids and bun

    half-up braids and bun

    Image: Pearl the stylist

    For when you want to give your half-up braid style a different look. This works great for fun, casual settings.

    Zig-zag braids

    Zig-zag Ghana braids

    I know what you’re thinking; zig-zags are so 2010. But if fashion can go back to the days of belt-sized skirts and small handbags, why can’t this style make a comeback?

    ALSO READ: How Much It Costs to Get Your Favourite Braids in 6 Nigerian Cities

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  • 8 Stunning Protective Hairstyles That’ll Also Save You From This Heat

    We don’t know if it’s because mercury is in “lucozade” or just Nigeria showing us shege in one of its many creative ways, but the weather is crazy hot and humid these days, and naturalista babes are literally facing the heat.

    Desperate times call for desperate measures, so here’s a list of quick and easy protective styles to save your tresses from this heatwave.

    Bantu knots

    Black model wearing bantu knots

    Image source: Claraito’s Blog

    What’s not to love about bantu knots? They’re relatively easy to style, look stylish, and most importantly, they’ll keep your neck free from the plenty of sweating you’re bound to do this period.

    Braids

    Black model wearing knotless braids styled into a bun.

    Image source: pearlthestylist_

    Hot weather is lazy weather, so just throw on your favourite box or knotless braids and keep them in a permanent bun. You won’t have to worry about styling your hair and it’ll stay away from your face. Win-win.


    RELATED: What Your Favourite Type of Braids Says About You


    Plain cornrows

    Black model wearing cornrows.

    Image source: Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images

    Before you ask, “all-back?” Hear me out. There’s nothing better than being able to pour water on your head, especially at times like these. Plain cornrows will allow you do just that without the fear of ruining your hairdo.

    Hair threading (AKA Irun kiko)

    Young lady with African threaded hair.

    Image source: Busayo Nyc

    This one has props for being hella cheap, and best believe you’ll stand out from the crowd. The best way to make this hairstyle is head bent between your local hairdresser’s legs. It’s the culture.

    Twists

    Young lady wearing two-strand twists.

    Image source: Coils and Glory

    You can do this with your natural hair alone or with kinky extensions. You don’t need to do much with them. But they’re great for multiple styles if you want your hair out of your neck, or just want to pour water on it.

    Braided up-dos (AKA Shuku)

    Black woman with a plaited up-do hairstyle

    Image source: Instagram (@slayedinbraids)

    Your hair might cause traffic in a cinema hall, but is it protected and safe from humidity? Hell, yes.

    ‘Fro ponytail

    Image source: Getty images

    There are days you’ll be too tired to do anything more than pack your hair in a ponytail, and that’s okay. Slap on a little edge control for cute baby hair — and pretend the heat won’t just melt it off in one hot minute — and you’re good to go.

    Good ol’ scarf

    Black woman wearing an ankara head wrap.

    Image source: Stylish gwin

    Or head wraps, if you’re feeling fancy. You might argue that it’ll bring more heat to your scalp, but it’s protecting your hair, isn’t it?


    Starts today. Read Jemima Osunde’s story here


    NEXT READ: 8 Natural Hairstyles That Won’t Stress Your Life