With the new year well underway, staying tapped into the protective styles shaping the months ahead feels essential. Ahead, we tapped hair experts to share the protective styles set to define 2026.

Gabrielle “Onyx” Bates says hair is deeply tied to confidence, identity and history, reflecting both personal expression and ...

Growing up in Amherst, Yasmin Brandford recalls her family being one of only about 20 Black families in the community. She started learning how to braid hair at age 7, practicing on her Barbies and ...

ESSENCE speaks with five professionals about confidently wearing their natural hair and celebrating authenticity at work.

Discover the Marti bracelet (martaki), a timeless Greek ritual of twisting red and white thread to welcome spring. Rooted in the Eleusinian Mysteries, this simple bracelet symbolizes vitality, purity, ...

For some, Black hair is an expression of identity and culture. It’s a representation of history and carries a deep emotional significance. Even though Black hair is a symbol of empowerment, resistance ...

Looking for a quick and easy hairstyle? Knotless braids are the perfect choice! Learn how to achieve this stylish, low-maintenance look that’s both comfortable and trendy. #KnotlessBraids ...

For our second evaluation of braiding hair, CR tested 30 human and synthetic hair products to determine if there are less ...

JuQuita Vance of Lush Beauty Lounge in Milwaukee is teaching students that braiding is more than a hairstyle — it's a ...

The City of Mableton has passed a local ordinance aimed at preventing discrimination based on natural hairstyles in schools and workplaces.