A protective style has practical work to do. It gives the hair a pause from daily handling. It should also respect your scalp, your routine, and the way you want to look when you walk out of the studio.
We begin with a conversation about tension, weight, and time. Then we talk about shape. A braid can trace the face, gather into something sculptural, or sit close and quiet. Small decisions change how the whole style feels.
You should be able to recognise yourself in the mirror. You should also be able to live in the result without negotiating with it every morning.