17 Protective Hairstyles for Your Next Vacation

Byrdie social media editor Jasmine Phillips with braids in front of the ocean — @jasminenicholle / Instagram

Nothing ruins a vacation more than a mad dash to sort out your strands—so a pre-vacay appointment for a low-maintenance protective style is a must. An effortless protective style allows you to spend your time snorkeling in the sea or swatting a pickleball instead of panicking about lifting lace or fried edges. Who wants to spend their hard-earned PTO tussling with a flat iron?

The key to choosing a protective style for vacation is understanding your natural hair and how it will work with the style in a new environment. We consulted the experts—celebrity hairstylists Marquita Lynch, Ursula Stephen, and Kim Kimble—to find out how to keep things cute and stress-free, so you can spend your time on mint juleps and mocktails instead of raking through matted messes. Keep scrolling for the best protective styles for your upcoming vacation.

Meet the Experts

Marquita Lynch is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Tia Mowry, Brandy, and Nicki Minaj.
Ursula Stephen is a celebrity stylist and the owner of Ursula Stephen The Salon in Brooklyn. She has created looks for Zendaya, Rihanna, and more.
Kim Kimble is a celebrity stylist and Clairol partner whose clients include Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Nicki Minaj.

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Boho Braids

Lynch is a big fan of boho braids. She stands by them at any length, but "I just love long hair, so anything past the butt is chef's kiss," she says. She regularly turns to them for her celebrity clients. "If they're going on vacation, I love to add human hair to the ends of the braids... it gives it more of a flowy look," she says.

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Rowed and Wavy

Marsha Badger front of braids sewn — Marsha Badger

If you're looking for length and fullness without the fussiness of leave-out, go for a partial sew-in. "Just sew it on the back and then maybe have your hair braided in the front," suggests Lynch. This style can be adorned with beads or cuffs to take it to the next level.

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Straight Backs

model adut aketch with straightback braids — @adutaketch / Instagram

Cornrows require no more maintenance than a satin scarf. Want it to make things even more comfortable? Skip the synthetic hair. "I like to add human hair to my cornrows when I do them like from the nape down," said Lynch.

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Designed Cornrows

actor Storm Reid with intricately designed braids — @stormreid / Instagram

Braids are ideal for beach getaways: Unlike other styles, they function well after being submerged in water. "Even while you're on vacation you can always, you can swim in your braids. That's the luxury," says Lynch.

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Faux Locs

The best part about faux locs is they get better with age, looking more natural as the sheen falls. Use them to experiment with different styles, like a half-up half-down.

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Stitch Braids

Stitch braids have all the charm of straightbacks with a little more interest. Toss some edge control in your carry-on and hit the road.

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Curly Sew-In

singer chloe bailey with a curly wig or sew-in style — @chloebailey / Instagram

Sew-ins are especially vacation-ready if you switch up your texture. Lynch says with a curly sew-in, "You can mist it with some water and leave-in conditioner and go."

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Crotchet Twists

Crotchet styles offer a quick transformation. Loop some braids or twists into your hair and head out worry-free.

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Long Solo Braid

Zendaya Ursula Stephen Braid — Ursula Stephen

"Zendaya's long braid is an ideal protective summer vacation hairstyle because it's both stylish and practical," Stephen tells us. "It keeps hair secure and tangle-free, making it a convenient, polished look that transitions seamlessly from casual day outings to evening events." That kind of versatility is perfect for a summer getaway. Lynch is also a fan, adding: "A braided ponytail is really pretty."

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Braided Top Knot

Byrdie social editor Jasmine Phillips with her braids piled into a top knot — @jasminenicholle / Instagram

Lynch loves the simplicity of a braided top knot. "You don't have to worry about anything," she says. Pile up your braids into an elegant heap and cast aside your worries.

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Ombré Braids

rear view of a woman's head with long ombre french curl braids — @micaelaverrelien / Instagram

Protective styles are a great way to experiment with color, and a vacation is the perfect time to slip some into your strands. Start with something subtle like a honey brown or go bold and bright. "I love adding color and accessories to make your braids pop," says Kimble.

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Unfinished Ends

Skip the boiling water and lighters and allow the ends of your braids to do their own thing. Keep things from getting too messy by adding rubber bands to the end. Stick to the clear or get jazzy with a fun color.

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Fun Fairy Knots

Adding fewer knots in your hair means fewer parts, making things much easier to keep up with. Slick things back with water, leave-in conditioner, and hair gel, and be on your way.

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Micro Goddess Braids

woman with red micro braids in a lob — @rahelbrhane_ / Instagram

Tiny braids may require a long time in the chair, but they are worth the wait. These wispy tendrils look amazing. They can be easily cared for, too: Scrunch them up with your favorite mouse and detangling tool nightly.

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Space Buns

Add some extra hair to your space buns to tuck your own hair away. Keep out some baby hair to play with or slick everything back.

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Jumbo Twists

The larger the parts, the easier your hair will be to complete and maintain. These might not last through eight weeks, but they'll give you several stylish days during a long weekend getaway.

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