Box braids and tropical vacations just go together. Traveling with natural hair can be a hassle, especially in humid climates, so knotless braids are my go-to vacation style. But my next trip is actually my honeymoon, so I wanted something a little more glamourous. Enter, boho braids.
READ MORE: How to keep your boho braids looking fresh
Bohemian braids, or boho braids, are not new. In the 90s and early 2000s, they were called pick-and-drop braids and you could find It Girls like Brandy rocking the style. Pick-and-drop braids were braided a few inches down from the scalp, and then the rest of the strand was left unbraided, leaving you with a cascading mane. Today’s style is different as they’re done just like regular box braids, but then have the waxy or curly hair added into the braid, giving you a breezy Bohemian vibe, hence the name.
While these braids are perfect for vacation, they are higher maintenance than standard box braids because of the added curly hair. When I booked my appointment with my braider, Shanna of TropixBraids, her instructions were very clear: You need human hair for the curly tendrils.
READ MORE: Why you should try knotless braids with human hair
This is the mistake I see a lot of women making when it comes to this style. In order for the style to last and not be a complete tangled mess, good quality human hair is needed. The braids can be done with synthetic hair but you can’t skimp on curly part if you want your boho braids to stay looking chic. If you opt for synthetic hair for the curls, your hair will be ratty in no time, especially if you get it wet with salt water on vacation. Don’t risk it. Invest in the 100% human hair so your style can be long lasting. Braids are too expensive to be taken out after two weeks. Not in this economy!
For my braids, I got two packs of the Starlet Human Hair Wet and Wavy Super Bulk in P4/27. For the braiding hair, I bought Abellee Pre Stretched Braiding Hair in 1B/30/27 from Amazon. So far, I haven’t had any tangling or shedding. At night I put my hair in a loose low pony and wrap it into my bonnet, ensuring I don’t wake up a tangled mess in the morning.
Boho braids are my new favorite style and I’m definitely getting them again for my vacation in July. Only next time, I think I’m going to do all human hair, that way I can get the braids a smaller, as human hair puts less tension on your scalp than synthetic hair. I’ll report back when I do.
If you’re thinking about getting boho braids, take this as a sign to do it!
CJ says
I absolutely love this style! It definitely is my go-to when it comes to vacations or over the summer. What size did you get your braids (small, medium, etc.) and is this bra length by chance?
aisleone says
Thank you! I got smedium (small medium lol) and this is waist length.