Credit: Getty
Hair
Halle Bailey’s hair is a consistent source of protective style inspiration – here are some of our favourites
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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