Halle Bailey’s hair is a consistent source of protective style inspiration – here are some of our favourites

halle bailey at met gala 2023

Credit: Getty

Hair


Halle Bailey’s hair is a consistent source of protective style inspiration – here are some of our favourites

By Jazmin Kopotsha

2 years ago

2 min read

Hairstylist Tinisha Meeks worked some awe-inspiring magic with Halle Bailey’s signature locs at the Met Gala. Here are some additional Bailey looks to inspire your next protective style. 


Protective hairstyles are a dream tool to have in your back pocket. Whether your natural hair is in desperate need of a break from the heat and tension of day-to-day styling or you simply want to limit the faff of having to do too much on holiday, braids, wigs, locs and twists have long come to the rescue of weathered edges.

But after you’ve done the hard work of minimising manipulation so your natural curls can grow undisturbed, the fun styling options that protective styles offer can often get left behind.  

Enter Halle Bailey as your one-stop shop for inspiration. The singer-songwriter and star of the new live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is also famed for her signature locs, often worn cascading down to the waist. But if you thought twists and locs were just about tucking your ends away and adding some killer length to your tresses, allow Bailey to remind you that the possibilities are bountiful.  

Take the voluminous Hollywood glam-style bob that caught our attention on the 2023 Met Gala red carpet, for example. Though fans are eagerly trying to work out how hairstylist Tinisha Meeks transformed Bailey’s hair into a loc-straight hybrid, evidence of the style’s versatility (in skilled, professional hands, of course – my guess is that some clever crochet work is at play here) is enough to have anyone excited to try something new.

Whether you’re heading to the salon or keen to mix up your hair at home, these are some of our favourite ways Bailey has styled her locs to inspire your next venture. And as an added bonus, most of these styles lend themselves beautifully to braids and twists, too.  

Halle Bailey messy topknot

The messy top knot locs

Add some variation to a classic messy bun by sweeping a few of your locs, twists or braids across the crown of your head for some face-framing volume. 


Halle Bailey updo with locs

The low bun with structural twists

Gather a few locs into chunky twists before pinning an up-do like Halle’s for a style with a bit more structure. 


Halle Bailey top knot braids

The statement top knot

All hail this regal bun! You’ll need to stack a couple of hair donuts on an internal ponytail before gathering the rest of your hair into a bun around it to keep the striking shape. 


Halle Bailey knotless braids

The two-tone braids

A subtle variation to classic long extensions? Combine subtle variations of colour to add rich depth to your locs or braids.


Halle Bailey half up hald down locs

The half up, half down locs

Take a leaf out of Halle’s book and create a tight bun out of minimal locs to leave plenty of volume on the strands left hanging down.


Halle Bailey braided goddess locs

The chunky braided locs

Envious of the chunky braid of dreams? Recreate the look with goddess locs and some loose curls to keep volume and definition of this upgrade on a classic look. 


Images: Getty

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