25 Braids and Protective Styles for Men—From Cornrows and Braids to Twists and Locs (2024)

As more men decide to wear their natural hair, protective styles—think locs, braids, cornrows, and twists—are becoming more mainstream. These men's braid styles not only look great, but help protect fragile kinky and curly hair from the elements and the stress of daily styling.

As men continue to embrace and experiment with their natural texture, we thought it best to tap the expertise of professional hairstylists and locticians for their top hair tips and styles for men who want to give braids and locs a try. Keep scrolling to read more!

Transitioning to Natural Hair

Bertin's first rule: "Take it slowly and don't expect a miracle overnight." Those of us who have journeyed down the road of natural hair knows this to be true. However, finding patience can be a challenge. "It’s definitely going to be a process and you’ll learn as you go. No natural hair journey is the same," he says.

For guys just starting out, you may be wondering where you fall on the curly spectrum, but Bertin says knowing your hair texture isn't the most important factor in caring for your hair; however, there is one detail you do want to know: "As you experiment, pay close attention to how your hair reacts to products, but don't overthink your hair type," says Bertin.

"What matters and will affect your understanding of your hair much more is your hair porosity. Do your research and reading on that more than anything." We know you may not have come here for a haircare lesson, but we like to lay a solid foundation before we get to the good stuff: protective styling.

Protective Styling Tips

Best Practices for Keeping Braids and Locs Neat and Healthy

Locticians JamilliaLocs and Tiffiany Lawrence prefer to adhere to natural solutions when it comes to maintaining braids and locs. Their advice emphasizes the importance of proper care and the use of natural products.

"Maintaining braids and locs is all about giving them the love and care they need. Keep your hair moisturized with the right pH water and some good natural oils like jojoba, coconut, or tea tree—it's like a drink of water on a hot day for your scalp and hair," they explain.

Choosing the Best Protective Style

"When you're picking out a protective style, it's all about understanding your hair and what your day looks like. You need to consider your hair’s texture, length, and what kind of care you can manage."

"For example, if you’re always on the move, you might want something that doesn't need a lot of fuss, like braids or cornrows. But think hard about the upkeep before settling on something like locs or cornrows," JamilliaLocs advises.

Be Realistic About Maintenance Levels

Braids, plaits, locs, and twists are among the most popular styles for Black men. With the right stylist, any of these looks are achievable, but caring for your hair properly is a must if you want to grow healthy hair. No matter which style you choose, dedicating time to wash, condition, and even trim your growing hair should be a priority.

JamilliaLocs and Lawrence agree that timely washes are a must, adding, "Washing is essential; get yourself a gentle, residue-free shampoo to avoid any buildup."

For those just trying out protective styling and looking for a low-maintenance style, Bertin recommends cornrows. "I would say that cornrows are probably easiest to keep up at home. All you really have to do is protect them at night and keep them moisturized."

Highlighting the difference between the long-term and short-term commitments of these natural hairstyles, JamilliaLocs adds, "Locs are a long haul commitment and need regular touch-ups to keep them looking sharp. Cornrows might need to be refreshed more often depending on how quickly your hair grows and how fast they loosen."

Locs are another style Bertin finds easy to not just maintain at home, but an option he says can potentially be started without any professional assistance. (Well, at least to get the process started). "To create the loc’ed style that I currently have, all I did was rub a small towel across my head in circular motions every day for a few months, and that formed my locs," he tells us. This method is particularly beneficial for those who are going for a fluffy look. "I don’t like [my locs] to look fresh and shiny–they’re less obedient that way. I like them to be fluffy. So out of all three, I’d say that locs are easiest to create at home as that’s what our hair does naturally. But braids are easiest to maintain as they require little to no styling or manipulation every day."

Use Leave-In Conditioner

Bertin says a leave-in conditioner, like the Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Leave-In Treatment ($12), is an ideal starter product if you're just getting into caring for your hair beyond a low fade. "Start with a leave-in conditioner. I spritz it on my hair every evening and even more liberally on wash day after rinsing out the conditioner."

Wrap Your Style at Night

Aside from applying a leave-in to keep the hair moisturized, a durag or a satin/silk pillowcase is essential for nighttime haircare. "It’s so, so, so important to stop that moisture loss," says Bertin. "You’ll notice such a difference. The cotton of a normal pillowcase will strip so much much-needed moisture from your hair." Try Taelor Boutique's Black Silk Durag ($15). Nighttime routines don't have to have a lot of steps, we promise. "Spritz in a leave-in conditioner and put your durag on. You’ll wake up with moisturized hair that will stay healthy and supple throughout the day," says Bertin.

JamilliaLocs and Lawrence also emphasize the importance of being gentle with your hair. "Remember, when you're braiding, be gentle with those edges to avoid breakage. At night, wrap up your hair in a silk or satin scarf to keep it smooth and reduce any friction while you sleep," they share.

Develop a Haircare Routine

The Violet Mae salon owners express that maintenance is not one-size-fits-all but rather a process you have to customize to your own needs. "When it comes to washing, every two to three weeks is generally fine for both cornrows and locs, but adjust according to what your scalp and lifestyle demand. If you're sweating at the gym or if your scalp tends to get oily, you might need to wash a bit more frequently," they suggest.

As for re-braiding or re-twisting, JamilliaLocs says "You'll want to redo your cornrows every four to six weeks to keep them neat and to avoid putting too much stress on your roots. Locs can usually go a bit longer, about four to eight weeks, depending on how quickly your hair grows and how tidy you like your look. Keeping up with this care will ensure your style stays beautiful and your hair stays healthy."

Bertin emphasizes one final note on the haircare front: get rid of the product that says it "does it all." He explains, "Put down the three-in-ones. While they’re not the evil they’re sometimes made out to be, I just feel like it’s a 'jack-of-all-trades, master of none' situation. Use a separate shampoo and conditioner. They’ll each be formulated specifically to efficiently do what they’re supposed to do without being overly stripping or moisturizing." Finding the right cleansers and conditioners can take some time, but don't get discouraged.

Remember: Give yourself some haircare grace, because the natural hair journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Once you get to the finish line, we promise it will be worth the wait.

Protective Hairstyles for Men