7 BEST Crochet Braids for Protective Styling on Natural Hair

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The BEST Crochet Braids for Protective Styling on Natural Hair

I’m guessing you’ve discovered the secret power of DIY crochet braids?

Have they changed your life like they’ve changed mine?

OMG, they have changed the game for me!

Time is so limited.  You’re busy, but you still want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and your hair. Natural hair takes time, and the longer it gets, the more time it takes.

Lemme guess, you’re determined to grow your natural hair out and still keep it healthy and protected during this busy time in your life.

Listen friend, I’ve been using crochet braids as my protective style of choice for over 5 years now, they’re the ultimate time saver.

They got me through pregnancy, post-partum hair shedding, and now life as a busy toddler Mom and Wife, not to mention the Pandemic of 2020 and now 2021.

If you don’t know where to begin with figuring out which crochet braids to try, I’ve tried quite a few and I can tell you these are REALLY great crochet braids.

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Goddess Faux Locs Crochet Braids

I ordered these 18 Inch Goddess Faux Locs Crochet Braids a few times, they’re bomb!  I get so many compliments on them.  People (who don’t know me) think they’re my real hair!

They’re lightweight, and I’ve always had enough hair for my whole head in each order.

I love the curves and bends of these, as I don’t care too much for the straight looking locs.

These are on the thinner side, so they were not great for doing individual crochet braids, if that’s what you like.

It was really hard to get the crochet needle through the hair to pull my braid through it, so it took me forever when I did a few individuals in the front of my head.

They’re perfect for doing just a regular crochet loop through a French braid.

If you like the faux locs look, and you want a lightweight option, these are it!

You’ll order them over and over again.

Pros

• Great quality faux locs with beautiful curves and bends to enhance to look
• Lightweight and easy to install
• No curls on the ends means they wear longer
• I don’t notice frizz on these due to them being locs

Cons

• Not great for individual crochet braids

 

Passion Twist Crochet Braids

These 24 Inch Passion Twists are gorgeous, and they’re exactly what I wanted!

I love the passion twist looks, but I didn’t want to do the individual ones.  I wanted to be able to crochet them. So I was excited when I found these!

They are long but that’s the look of passion twists, and they’re beautiful.

I’ve used these several times, and I keep coming back to them.

I’ve washed, cut off scraggly ends and re-worn each set I’ve bought.

The ones I’m wearing pictured below, I cut them down, brushed out the ends and then wound the ends around through a Denmen brush with some conditioner.

It gave them a unique twisted look I thought was super cute.

 

 

Pros

• You get the beautiful look of passion twists without having to do them individually
• Great quality twists offered in a few different color options

Cons

• If you’re not used to long twists, these can take some getting used to

 

 

Spring/Bomb Twists Crochet Braids

These 14 Inch Spring/Bomb Twists are beautiful.  They’re thinner than others I’ve tried, so if you’d like a thinner look these are great.

I’ve used these more than any other type of crochet braid, and ordered various colors and lengths of these from the same company several times over.

I learned that with some of the variations I’ve ordered, one order wasn’t enough to cover my entire head, so I had to place another order.

I keep coming back to these when I want this look because I just love how they look on me.

I’ve done these with loose hair from time to time, but I keep coming back to the crochet ones because it’s a much quicker way to attain this look.

Pros

• Pretty, more natural looking twists that mimic a natural hair texture
• Time saving way to attain a natural mini twist look

Cons

• You may or may not need two orders of hair depending on what variation of hair you get (color, leghth)

 

Senegalese Twists Crochet Braids

 

I ordered these 18 Inch Senegalese Twist Crochet Braids a few times, and even washed and re-wore them.

They are some really pretty braids and they wear really well.

They do have a shine to them but I didn’t mind it at all, I thought it helped keep them looking fresh longer.

Remember earlier when I said crochet braids got me through pregnancy? The pic above is me in my 8th month of pregnancy at my maternity photo shoot.

Pros

• They wear really well and hardly get frizzy
• Very light and not heavy at all
• Pre Looped for easy install

Cons

• They have a shine to them that could be a turn off for some, as some may like a more “natural” look that resembles their natural hair texture

Goddess Box Braids with Curly Ends Crochet Braids

These 24 Inch Goddess Box Braids Crochet Braids with Curly Ends are absolutely beautiful.

One order wasn’t enough for me, I definitely needed 2 orders.  But when I want a braided look, these are it for me!

Pros

• Beautiful pre-curled look
• Great quality and wear beautifully over time
• Minimal frizz on the braids

Cons

• One order wasn’t enough, you’ll definitely need 2 orders
• The curls on the ends do frizz over time (but that’s to be expected with synthetic hair)

Havana Twist Crochet Braids

These 22 Inch Havana Twist Crochet Braids are stunning.

However if you order these, know that the 22 inch length is really heavy.

They were so heavy on my head and neck that I ended up cutting off half the length for some relief.  They were still cute at 12 inches though.

I’m glad I tried them because I’d been wanting to see what they’d look like on me.

Try the 12 or 18 inch first and see how they feel before you venture off in to 22 inch land.

Pros

• Stunning, beautiful looking twists with minimal effort
• Hair doesn’t frizz easily
• You can unravel the twists for a different look, two styles in one!

Cons

• The longer lengths are heavy

Goddess Locs with Curly Ends Crochet Braids

These 20 Inch Goddess Locs Crochet Braids are beautiful and I loved the curly ends.

They were a little heavy at first, but not too heavy for me to keep them in, I got used to them.

The ends did get a bit worn after a couple weeks, however that’s expected with synthetic hair.

I ended up washing, cutting off the curly ends and re-wearing them.

Pros

• A more natural looking option that can resemble your natural hair texture
• Beautiful great quality braids
• Pre-curled ends for effortless style

Cons

• The curly ends do frizz after a few weeks of wear

Note: I don’t wash and re-wear every set of crochet braids I’ve used.  However many of them I do.  It all depends on what kind of shape the braids are in when I remove them. 

Tips for Caring for Your Natural Hair Underneath the Crochet Braids

GIVE YOUR HAIR A REST

If you’ll be wearing braids on a continual basis, make sure to give your hair a break in between installs.

Generally I’ll let my scalp breathe for a few weeks and get a few good washes and some really good deep conditioning in.

KEEP YOUR SCALP OILED

In recent times, oil is just not enough for my scalp.  I’ve had to go back to my pre-natural days and get that good old fashioned hair grease.

I know, I know, grease is supposed to be a no-no for natural hair as it can clog your pores and hair strands.

However I’ve learned you have to do what works for you.  And I noticed an immediate difference in my scalp when I started using grease again.

It’s been keeping my scalp moisturized, and keeping flakey scalp at bay.

KEEP YOUR HAIR MOISTURIZED

It’s so important to not let your hair dry out.

Just because you used moisturizer when you installed the braids doesn’t mean it remains moisturized for the entire time that you’re wearing them.

I have a spray bottle I fill with water, oil and a small amount of conditioner, and I mist my scalp and the French braids under the crochet braids daily.

Do what works best for you, but definitely keep your hair hydrated underneath.

Concluding Thoughts on Protective Styling with Crochet Braids

Crochet braids have been helping me through some crazy seasons of my life.

I love the convenience of them, and the time they save me.

It takes me about an hour to braid my own hair up in French braids, then about another hour to install the crochet braids.  Two hours tops! 

If I’m tired it may take me longer, but generally this is about how long it takes me.

If you’d like to see a great tutorial on DIY crochet braids, check this one out by The Chic Natural.  It’s a really good one and she uses no leave-out, like me.

I hope these crochet braids help keep your natural hair protected on your hair growth journey, while keeping you feeling and looking beautiful in the process.

What are your favorite crochet braids to use? Let me know in the comments!

Here are more natural hair posts for you to check out:

3 Best Protein Treatments for Natural Hair

Deep Conditioning + Best Deep Conditioner for Natural Hair

7 Tips on Caring for Colored Natural Hair + My 3 Favorite Protein Treatments

The BEST Crochet Braids for Protective Styling on Natural Hair