Definition of Protective Styles

[Tyra]

I was on a thread with some ladies with neck length hair like me and we were kind of having this same discussion. I always took "protective style" to mean any style which keeps my hair from being predisposed to harm or damage. Be it by tucking the ends or when I'm wearing my pin curls simply making sure to seal my ends. Is this right? I figured that "protective" isn't necessarily "hidden" and a style could be "protective" but not necessarily "low maintenance" and vice versa. Just my opinion.

 

[LaidBak]

I'm sure that the term is relative to each person. You style your hair to protect it from whatever it was that caused it damage in the first place; and that's different for everyone.
For me, PSs include anything that keeps my hair off my collar and that doesn't require direct heat. Traditional bunning and ponytails don't qualify for me because my hair cannot (yet) stand up to any kind of tight elastic. I work in an office so the weather elements don't play a part either.
Ultimately I've discovered that the best PSs for me are French rolls and the Southern Tease Bun (secured with a clip).