Girlies with Afro-textured hair know that the second the temperature drops, there’s nothing more fitting than a style that’ll keep our curls maintained during the colder weather. Cold air has less moisture, and indoor heating can dry your curls out even further, which is why you might come across more tangles and frizz than usual.
The key to surviving the UK’s impending winter blitz is exploring a protective style to ensure your hair is moisturised and in tip-top condition this season.
Rocking a protective style doesn’t have to be boring, as Ebony Bomani, Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Trichologist & PATTERN Brand Educator tells me, “protective styling isn’t about restriction – it’s about freedom, health, and self-expression. Loving your hair and rocking your pattern, in all of its beautiful glory, is what it’s all about.”
You may be facing the seemingly impossible task of choosing which protective style to install, especially if you plan on having it throughout the festive season. I asked Ebony and Bellissima Ambassador, and Tricologist Jacqui McIntosh for their advice on which style would suit you for the ultimate glow-up.
You might be asking: What does best really mean for me? It’s not only about what’s flattering for your face shape, but also what your hair (texture, length, strength) can handle, what your lifestyle allows (time for maintenance, how long you like to keep a style) and how safe it is for your natural hair, bearing in mind that it’s best to avoid excessive tension or weight.
“It’s okay to experiment a bit,” she tells me. “Start with a base style that’s favourable for your face shape, then tweak parts, lengths, and details until you feel you in it.”
Oval
Oval faces get the ultimate styling freedom. “For oval faces, the benefit here is max versatility,” Ebony explains, noting that this face shape can pull off just about anything. Centre part, side part, short or long, sleek or voluminous. Lucky you, the world is your beauty playground!
She adds: “From flat twist updos to braids and everything in between, because the symmetry of the face shape lets you play freely.”
Round
Keeping the softness of round faces is a must and should be considered when choosing your next protective styles. Ebony recommends adding some extra length, for example, with layered knotless braids or faux locs.
During your install, be sure to “outline each section of the twists or braids, with the Edge Control, for precision when parting and keep it nearby to sculpt the edges for a polished finish,” Ebony explains.
And a pro-tip from our expert, “gather your style into a top knot … it draws the eyes upward, creating the illusion of even more facial balance.”
Heart
People with heart-shaped faces, like Storm Reid and Yasmin Finney, should explore a deep side part when installing their protective style. Ebony says that deep parts for styles like goddess braids or Passion twists, with fullness near the jawline, beautifully balance the forehead and highlight cheekbones.
And for that pro finish, Ebony says: “Use the arch of your brows as a guide for deep side parts and slightly angle it toward the crown.”
Square
Jacqui recommends leaning into slanted parts to soften the strong lines featured in square-shaped faces. The subtle tweak instantly flatters and adds movement, and, if you want to add an extra touch to your hairstyle, opt for wispy edges to bring a soft, romantic touch that balances your face’s natural structure..
Before blow-drying or stretching your hair, Ebony reminds us that protection is key and prep is everything. “I suggest starting with PATTERN’s Repair360 Leave-In Foam on clean, damp hair — it strengthens, repairs, and provides heat protection up to 450 degrees, which is perfect for blow-drying or stretching before braiding or twisting.”
Diamond
Mixing styles is the ultimate face-framing hack for those with sharp, diamond-shaped features. Blending two looks, like adding braids to your sew-in or pairing Fulani braids with extensions, can help soften angles while giving your hair extra volume and dimension. Jacqui suggests “leaving some of your own hair out to frame the face (in a braided or natural state)” to enhance that effortlessly balanced look.
Lauren Gordon is a contributor for Cosmopolitan’s Black Beauty Hub and the Emerging Audiences Editor at The Mirror, where she leads the Under-35s team and serves as the creator-curator of The Gulp, a weekly lifestyle and culture newsletter.
With nearly a decade of experience across leading newsrooms and digital platforms, Lauren’s career in lifestyle and beauty journalism flourished after earning her journalism degree from the University of the Arts London.
