Finding protective styles for traveling Black Women has long been one of our greatest challenges!
Y’all know how we are about our hair! Whether you are #TeamNatural or still use the creamy stuff, figuring out the best ways to protect our hair while traveling can be a real challenge.
If you are more of an adventurous traveler; scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking, rock climbing (to name a few), you may want to consider a style that has very low manipulation. If being a beach babe mermaid is your thing, then you may want a style which allows you to quickly rinse salt water and chlorine from your mane, but still, pull it together for a night out on the town!
Here Are Five Protective Styles for Traveling Black Women!
Box Braids As A Protective Styles for Traveling:
There is nothing like a nice set of box braids to get you through a trip. Whether you get waist-length, in a bob, “dookie” or thin, box braids are one of the best protective styles to have while traveling. This style is super easy to manage and works great with most physical activities! Box braids can be a little heavy if you are doing a lot of swimming, but ultimately a great choice. Be careful not to pull your edges too tight!
RELATED: The Only Travel Guide You Need For Barbados!
Locs/Faux Locs/ Loc Extensions As A Protective Styles for Traveling:
I rocked faux loss for a solid two months while backpacking in South East Asia! Not only was it a great conversation topic, but super easy and versatile to style. They are not nearly as heavy as the box braids, look natural (if done right) and easy to cleanse out yuckiness like chlorine!
Sew-In/Wigs As A Protective Styles for Traveling:
If done correctly, sew-ins are magic! I have not had enough hair to have a sew-in for some time now, but this is one of the most versatile styles out there! There are tons of hair types, textures, lengths, and colors to choose from! If you go with this option while traveling, make sure you choose a hair type/texture that does not get tangled easily!
RELATED: 7 Easy Vacation Hairstyles for Black Women
Crochet Braids As A Protective Styles for Traveling:
This is a new fav of mine! It is SUPER easy to install, and easier to maintain! Throw a bonnet on at night and you are great to go! If you are using the Marley braiding hair, I do NOT recommend this if you plan on swimming or engaging in any water activities, as I imagine the hair will tangle immensely!
Twists/Braids on Natural Hair As A Protective Styles for Traveling:
If extensions are not your “thing,” consider an easy and classic style like a “halo crown” or goddess braid to protect your hair while traveling! It’s easy, low maintenance, and super protective!
RELATED: How To Trek Through Mongolia Solo
Above all else, make sure you are keeping your hair and skin HYDRATED and protected while traveling!
Journey on!
This was a great read, and I loved how you incorporated and feature the different ladies. “Dookie” braids, hahaha. I haven’t heard that in a long times, the were the best for me. I am loving the crochet braids and style. Thanks for the tip with the marley hair install, no one ever talks about the manageability of the texture hair after the install.
Ha! I thought I’d throw “dookie braids” in there as a throwback! That’s what we used to call them back in the day!Crochet braids are a fav of mine right now too! And yes, be careful with that Marley hair! If you want to swim, I’d suggest using a “real hair” vs the marley!
5 years later lol so I travel a lot, scuba dive and I love the water. I have found sew ins are awesome as long as you have good hair virgin. I just started wearing wigs, now I make my own wigs with really good hair. I sew the wig around the nape if I want and leave it in or don’t sew it in and rock my French braids on the sand and wig to party. If you use a closure on your sew in or wig you are going to want to see a small part of it down so the Closure does not flip up..don’t use glue it won’t work for travel in the heat, sun, humidity, salt water…I can’t stress enough not to use glue and always use quality virgin hair it will not tangle or matt with your real hair.
Senegalese Twists used to be my go-to style, but I just started doing wigs and will be moving into sew-ins and crochet braids as a protective style 😀
I need to get my wig life together!Would be SO convenient!
Hi, I just discovered your website tonight…. I was Googling “Best hairstyles for Black women to get wet”, and I saw this article on “”Protective Hairstyles”.
I am going on a cruise in November 2015 to Aruba, Turks and Caicos and Curacao. During the week, I normally wear a curly human-hair wig, but my own hair is a natural short afro. (I previously wore my hair in a relaxed shoulder-length bob) I’m trying to figure out a cute “style” that I can have for the cruise and also get wet! (I like to go snorkeling!!!)
I’m thinking about getting the “kinky twist extensions” that I see a lot of women wearing- I believe they can get wet and still look good, (not frizz up?)
In the past on vacations, I’ve always done a full weave, with my hair cornrowed with “curly” tracks. I would like my own natural ‘fro better if it was “fuller” with more length to it, but my hairdresser says my natural “curl pattern” is very very tight, so unfortunately, I lack fullness, even when I pick it out.
So, which twist or braided style is best for style, length, and attractiveness- to be submerged in ocean water for snorkeling and still being able to “dress it up” for nights on the cruise ship?
Thank You! 🙂
Cheryl Williams
Hi Cheryl!Disclaimer: I AM NOT A NATURAL HAIR GURU! lol
I will say however, that I enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving as well.
I usually put my hair in some sort of twists or faux locs! When I went scuba diving in Curacao, I had in a crochet style.
Anything that can be put in a bun so you can put on your mask should suffice!
Hi, I’m going to Miami in May and I’m natural and in desperate need to find a good protective style for snorkeling. I’m not one for braids, just never liked them on me. I was thinking a wig(I’m afraid that will fall off lol), a sew in( I don’t want any leave out though, and finally crochet (but what hair will I use?). ALL advice is welcomed ! Thanks.
Would love to see the response to this if you have answered. Thanks!
Hi Stephanie!I answered! 🙂
When I travel.. so far, my favorite has been braids or a sew-in with a netted cap underneath! Protects your natural hair a lot more than not!
Thank you 🙂
I’m traveling to Costa Rica. I was thinking of crochet twist. What do ypu think?je
Hmm. I think it depends on what type of activities you participate in!
Hi Rachel! am despatete am traveling to Portugal and Spain in September for 2 weeks (your are a real inspiration btw part of this trip is because of you), I have natural hair but I don’t know if I should do a protective style or to go with a wash and go and wash my hair over there because I really like my hair with my curls but but I don’t know if it’s going to be to hard to maintain, what do you recommend???
Hi Nicole!It’s really up to you!
On one hand, I think having your natural hair out would be great for conversation and the weather would be nice and it probably won’t freeze.
On the opposite perspective, would you really have time to maintain your hair while traveling to two countries?
I would get a protective style, now that I think about it. LOL
One less thing to worry about!
Hope that helps! 🙂
You are right! Thank you Rachel!!!
I plan on going on a vacay in the next week or so. Thinking about doing crochet box braid. But i am wondering will this still mantain with swimming?
I honestly wouldn’t be able to tell you! I have never had those!
Hi Rachel, I love this, just what I’ve been looking for!I’ll be travelling for 4 months next year, so excited.
But before then I’ll be going on vacation for a week next month and I’m thinking of getting marley twists on my natural hair with extensions, I’ve never had them before and will probably be going to a water park or two; do you think they’ll be okay with the chlorine and being submerged or can I see myself ending up with a hot fuzzy mess and should wait till I get back??
Thanks George-may
Hi George-May!I am NOT a hair- enthusiast, but when I went backpacking through South East Asia for 3 months, I had in faux locs!
It was so super easy! And it worked great with all of the scuba diving I was doing!
Cheers for the tip, I’ve never consider faux locs before. Looks like you’ve done some amazing stuff, I’m definitely gunna give the locs a trial run now!
Hi Rachel,I’m going on a one week cruise this year and I’m considering faux locs. My hair is medium to long length and relaxed. Do you think that would be a good style? I’ve heard it can pull out your edges and be heavy for someone not used to weave.
Hi Renee!I’m not really sure.
I’d suggest contacting a licensed stylist and getting their professional opinion. 🙂
Hi, I am going on a cruise for a week next month. I really like the bohemian faux locs. However, I don’t know if they will let me swim. I have heard they unravel easy. What do you think ? Should I just get braids or a sew in ?
It really depends on who does them, however, if you’re concerned with them unraveling – I’d just go with box braids or a sew-in so it’s low maintenance.
Hello RachelI’m heading to Hawaii for 2 weeks vacation and a wedding.
Could you please recommend the best style that will hold up to water activities/wedding.
I’m wearing my natural hair (shoulder length) at the moment, but want something that will hold up to the water activities and still look fabulous for the wedding..(I’m just a guest at the wedding).
During my stay I will be diving, scuba and other water activities. Downside is the wedding is 2 days before I return home.
Hi Carol!As I am not a professional stylist, I wouldn’t be able to “recommend” a hairstyle.
I think it’s up to how much you’re will to maintain the style, etc.
I am crossing my fingers that you will respond to this in time. I am going on my first cruise in November. I have gone natural over the last year and wear my hair in crochet faux locs now. I have been trying to decide on the best style for this cruise because I want it to be low maintenance but compatible with swimming. The lady that does my hair is suggesting sew in, however I have never had this and I am concerned about how that will look wet. I had pretty much decided on box braids but was told that would be heavy when wet. She also says that the faux locs may slip out while swimming. I’m so confused! After years of relaxers and no hard choices I have found this whole new world of hair and I have no idea what to do. As I have seen some of your previous responses I know you are not a professional hair guru, but you seem to have a ton of experience and your site has given me so hope that I might find some answers. This hair stuff is more stressful then planning a trip!Any good advice is truly welcomed
Thank you!!
Hey sis!Honestly, I would listen to the professional!
Oh one more thing for ladies wanting no leave out to maintain get a sew in with a closure..not a frontal it is not good for heat, humidity, and salt water. A closure will provide that natural look with a deep part make sure to get a natural hair, transparent closure large so you may do a free part meaning part it on the side or middle. Always buy virgin hair. Depending on heat and humidity you may want it shoulder length..or get the loose curl hair Brazilian it is very light weight. If you are going to hot, humid weather you don’t want anything irritating you on your trip.