Protective styling for medium length hair-any suggestions?

[MDsInfamousDiva]

So I'm desperately looking for some protective hair styles. I have read the threads on here about some of the styles but I have some specific issues so here goes. I live in upstate NY where it is freezing cold 80% of the year so wet look styles wont work. Bunning is difficult b/c the texture of my new growth is pretty fierce and I end up looking crazy with a nice looking bun and nappy edges. My professional atmosphere is really not conducive to cornrows or bantu knots. Braid extensions break my hair off every time. The only thing I keep trying is sew in weaves which are both expensive and time consuming. Plus I still experience some breakage with sew-ins. I know my options are limited by my lifestyle but I'm really getting frustrated and would appreciate any help you all could give me!

 

[msa]

How about trying "out" styles?

You could do a twist out, braid out, or bantu knot out. If you didn't want to actually wear them like that, even though I'm sure it'd be cute, you could just pin them up which would definitely be professional.

I do bantu knot outs because I like that it gives me a curly fro. But, when I do twist/braid outs I don't like the way it looks so I just pin them up in a kind of make shift french roll type thing with the front either parted on the side or a kind of hump.

And, out styles are pretty low maintenance. At night you could do like 5 braids or twists so you don't lose all the definition and then just re-pin in the morning.

Here's a thread that may help:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=196011&highlight=bangin

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

creative pincurl styles. Pin it up! If you pin up a rollerset (or any kind of other set) you'll be amazed at how pretty it looks. You can pin hair that is several inches long so you can def. pincurl medium-length hair.

 

[Your Cheeziness]

You can turn a rollerset gone wrong into a cute updo. You can dress up your buns with cute headbands and Whipped Gelly from Hairveda.net can lay down new growth on wet or dry hair. Just sleep with your edges tied down. Also, SelfStyled created a look with a lacewig she customized and I believe she only uses bobby pins to hold it and it looks completely natural. Check her profile for the fotki info.

 

[DDTexlaxed]

I believe Sylver 2 has a method to smooth new growth called the scarf method. It lays her NG flat. Check her profile. She's doing a year stretch and she's chronicling it in her fotki.

 

[LaidBak]

Quick weave (3/4wigs). You get a neat look, protected hair, no breakage, low manipulation, and a warm head.

 

[Msmia]

half wigs
roller set pin ups

Learn how to use hair accessories to your advantage, such as:
headbands
scarves
hair pins
etc

 

[MDsInfamousDiva]

Thanks ladies! Your suggestions have been so helpful! I looked at Sylver2's fotiki and it looks like she has a good reggie going on!

 

[SmartyPants]

I am about an inch or two shorter than your siggy. Buns won't work for me because I won't add hair and my hair isn't quite long enough to do a bun with my own hair. I am currently doing tight rollersets as a protective style. I am using the equivalent of the small green magnetic snap-on rollers (my rollers are black). Then I just fingerstyle or pick my hair out. The extra curl shrinks my hair enough to keep it off my clothing and because it's a loose style, I don't have to worry about my edges.

 

[sheba1]

Your hair looks long enough for the southern tease, OP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_-XBalPjVg

I know she has quite a bit of hair, but I've seen it done for less.

And here's a thread chock full of protective styles:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=322481

There's this one side swept updo towards the end that I think would work for sure. She pulled all her hair to the side (pins can be used to secure) And then looped the hair up and secured.

I'm sure there are others.

And of course if you decide to take the suggestion to bantu knot out, twist out, braid out, etc, you could always just pile your hair on top of your head, tucking in your ends and adding pins until you've got the hold and style you want. Maybe even add a hump in the front and a flower, ya know?

Good luck to you!