An op-editorial by Kori Wiggins

As the temperature begins to rise, many women have begun adopting different hairstyles to prepare for the spring season. Many of the styles range from faux locs to box braids. The benefits of using protective hairstyles includes retaining growth, keeping hair soft during the process of growth and changing up your look, while giving your hair a break from heat and styling products. Here are some styles to get you through the heat this year!

Box braids are a universal style. The braids are individualized and are divided by small squared off parts or boxes. They can be of any width or length, but is usually complimented by synthetic or natural hair to the braid, adding length, thickness and fullness. The look is inspired by the 90s trend and has been worn by celebrities such as Zoe Kravitz, Tia Mowry and Beyonce.

Faux locs are imitation dreadlocks that come in a semi-permanent form in which natural hair becomes wrapped with yarn, synthetic or human hair. The hair style usually lasts up to three months, plus, they are light and look like authentic natural locs. Traditional faux locs are created with synthetic hair and are much heavier with a shiny, silkier look to them.

Flat twists inlude twisting your hair against your head using a technique that wraps two sections of hair around each other, creating a seamless, twisted look. The flat twist is similar to corn rows, however, the method used to create them are much different.

Cornrows are a traditional African style of hair grooming, where the hair is braided very close to the scalp by using an underhand-upward motion to produce a continuous, raised row. This style can only be worn by using your natural hair, or with the help of extensions, and when cared for properly, the style can last up to ten weeks.

Crochet braids is another popular hairstyle for the season. Using crochet braiding, also known as the crochet method, hair is added to one’s hair after it has been cornrowed. Unlike weave, however, the hair that’s used is loose and not on a weft. Time spent installing them is relatively short as well, taking about 2.5 hours, and the style is rather versatile.

Ghana braids is an African style of braiding also known as banana braids, Cherokee cornrows, invisible cornrows, and/or pencil braids. This protective style lasts for weeks at a time and is extremely versatile: the braids can be small, medium, or large, short or super long, and can be manipulated to create gorgeous updos and buns.