Since I can't make a ponytail yet since my Big BC in December, I've been hiding my hair under lace fronts. I wash and condition once per week and apply my growth aid about 3 - 4 days per week. I have retained about 95% of my growth since December and I am surpised at how my braids are hanging down now when I couldn't even grab enough to twist back in March. This is the best protective style I can ever imagine, even the hair on my edges is growing and it's long. I am going to do a big reveal in December when I get it straightened for progress pictures. I am not doing anything before that so that I can continue to retain all my growth which has been greatly accelerated with my MT custom mix.
I will continue this protective styling until I can make a nice ponytail. At that time, ponytails will become my protective style of choice. This has been the most rewarding experience ever for me because I have been able to workout, look pretty / wear nice hair styles while at work, or going out and care for / protect my hair at the same time. I never had it this good.
ETA: This thread is really about hair retention not growth per se. Protective styling helps you to keep the hair you grow, not to increase the rate of growth from your scalp. It has the appearance of increase growth because you actually get to keep the hair you grow on your head rather than in the sink and on the floor and in the comb