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Home · Hair

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016

Protective styling comes in many different forms and flavors.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
By Alexis Webb · Updated October 26, 2020

And it seems they’re looking more creative than ever, with innovative techniques that cut down on time and cost! Cost, however, only seems to matter when you are a regular Joe, and not at celebrity status. Our favorite celebrities took protective styling to a whole other level and set the bar high this year! Some of our favorites like Solange, sister Beyonce and Willow Smith all stepped their protective styling game up and gave us some natural hair inspiration. See the looks we were obsessed with below. 

01
Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita reached new heights with her tiered protective bun at this year’s MET Gala. 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Mike Coppola
02
Rihanna

Rihanna also knows how to rock a mean faux loc; she just prefers hers extra, extra long.

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Raymond Hall
03
Willow Smith

16-year-old Willow Smith definitely has her own style and that extends to her hair and makeup choices. Real locs are the ultimate protective style. 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Jason LaVeris
04
Gabrielle Union

The Being Mary Jane actress slayed in Senegalese twists at the 2016 BET Awards. 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Jason LaVeris
05
Beyoncé

Queen Bey took protective styling to new levels this year, but her extra long micro box braids at this year’s BET Awards were a fan favorite. 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Paras Griffin/BET
06
Solange

Solange’s halo braid for Saturday Night Live took over 40 hours to make with about 2,000 Swarovski crystals.

 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
NBC
07
Keke Palmer

We’re feeling Keke Palmer’s fire engine red braids!

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Raymond Hall
08
Janelle Monáe

Ms. Monáe is known for her eclectic sense of glam, so we weren’t surprised when she stunned with her rendition of a  French braided Mohawk at this year’s Pre-Grammy celebration.

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Kevork Djansezian
09
Janelle Monae
The singer and actress accented her jumbo braids with a super cute hat at this year’s Grammy Awards.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Steve Granitz
10
Yara Shahidi
The “Black-ish” star wore this chic, side part French braid to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association And InStyle Golden Globes celebration.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Steve Granitz
11
Teyonah Parris
This year, Teyonah Parris gave new meaning to the term “beautifully braided” when she accessorized her’s with flowers.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Noam Galai
12
Teyonah Parris

The Survivor’s Remorse actress looked like a queen at this year’s ESPYS, sporting braids wrapped in a silk scarf. 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Alberto E. Rodriguez
13
Estelle
Estelle’s blonde and brown “Senegalese” twist gives some color and vibrancy to the look she wore at this year’s ESSENCE Festival.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Erika Goldring
14
Eva Marcille
Top model Eva Marcille gave goddess girl realness during this year’s Revolt Music Conference. Her goddess locs are also adorned with gold cuffs. Cute!
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
John Parra
15
FKA Twigs

For her performance at this year’s Made In America Music Festival, the performer made sure her braided do stood out on the stage. 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Kevin Mazur
16
FKA Twigs

And her winter white faux locs definitely caught our attention at the Panorama Festival. 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Mireya Acierto
17
Skai Jackson
Skai Jackson may be young, but she knows how to get glam! Jackson opted for a quick “double bun and done” look this year that is very age appropriate.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Gabe Ginsberg
18
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross played with the sizing of her straight back cornrows at this year’s Critic’s Choice Awards.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Jon Kopaloff
19
Ava Duvernay
Ava Duvernay added a little flair to her beautiful locs by styling them into an updo for the New York Film Festival.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Theo Wargo
20
Meagan Good
When goddess meets edge, you get Meagan Good, who switched up her look with a shaved side.
21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Paul Archuleta
21
Tasha Smith

The seasoned actress commanded the BET Awards red carpet in waist length marley twists. 

21 A-List Protective Hairstyles We Were Obsessed With In 2016
Jason LaVeris
TOPICS:  Celebrity Hairstyles Keke Palmer Lupita Nyong’o Rihanna Willow Smith
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