The Ultimate Boho Braids Guide—From Install to Maintenance

Boho braids have become one of the most popular protective styles, with countless celebrities also turning to the braided look when they want to give their natural hair a break. The style adds a cute and chic touch to regular knotless or box braids, featuring curly pieces woven throughout the plaits.

If you’re considering getting boho braids, we’ve curated the ultimate guide to the curly style. Ahead, expert hairstylists share everything you need to know about the style, from how to achieve it to how to maintain it.

What Are Boho Braids?

Boho braids are a style that incorporates curly pieces of hair throughout box braids or knotless braids. The term “boho,” short for Bohemian, reflects the hairstyle’s effortless, natural aesthetic. The style is achieved with three-stranded plaits, with synthetic kanekalon or human hair incorporated throughout to add length and volume. 

“Boho braids emerged as a modern adaptation of traditional braiding techniques, blending bohemian style elements with contemporary hair trends,” Powell says. “Hairstylists began incorporating loose, wavy strands and mixed textures into braids, reflecting the bohemian lifestyle’s laid-back, artistic and creative spirit.”

Depending on your braider’s expertise and location, you can expect to pay between $250 and upwards of $500.

How to Prep Your Hair

Powell emphasizes that thoroughly cleansing and moisturizing your hair is imperative for the braided style. “Begin by thoroughly detoxing [your hair and scalp] and effectively removing dirt, debris, and buildup,” she states. “After cleansing, follow up with a moisturizing shampoo to infuse your hair with essential moisture. Deep conditioning [also] helps to fortify the hair strands, making them more resilient to the manipulation involved in braiding, which reduces the risk of breakage.”

If your hair struggles to retain moisture, a deep conditioning treatment is key, followed by a lightweight leave-in conditioner. Protein masks, which can strengthen the hair, are also great for helping prep for this style.

When you’re ready to blow dry your hair, use a heat protectant to prevent heat damage and breakage. We recommend using tools like the Dyson Supersonic Nural, RevAir Reverse-Air Hair Dryer, or Pattern Blow Dryer, as they are each designed to be gentler on natural hair.

How to Achieve the Look

Depending on the desired length and size of the braids, the style can be completed in five to ten hours on average. Before your appointment, you should decide if you want to use human or synthetic hair for your curly piece. “Human hair is generally more expensive but is ideal for individuals with sensitive scalps, as it is less likely to cause irritation,” she explains. “It also has a lighter feel and can be styled with heat tools, offering more versatility. Synthetic hair is more affordable and holds braids securely, but it can tangle quickly. To balance these factors, using hypoallergenic braiding hair from brands like Dosso Beauty for the bulk of the braids and human hair for the leave-out pieces can enhance both the style’s longevity and comfort.”

At the beginning of your appointment, your stylist will likely ask you how many curls you want to help determine placement. From there, your braider will attach the curls using one of two methods. They will either feed in the curly pieces to your three-strand braid. Or, after they finish braiding your hair, they can use a crochet hook to add curly pieces. Your braider may also use rollers on your ends and set them with hot water to achieve extra-bouncy curls.

How to Maintain and Style Boho Braids

Synthetic Hair

While boho braids look effortless, they actually require more effort to maintain, especially if you’re using synthetic hair. “This is something to consider if you want fuss-free hair or will be on vacation in and out of water,” Powell points out.

Since synthetic hair easily tangles, you should use a satin or silk scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase at night to reduce matting. You’ll also want to wear a swim cap when in the water to avoid tangling. Every day, you should “spend some time running your fingers through your braids to prevent detangling and matting,” according to Annang. If tangling occurs, use scissors or a razor to gently remove the tangled pieces.

For styling, it’s important to refrain from touching up the curly pieces with styling tools. “Synthetic boho braids must be styled without heat to avoid damaging the synthetic fibers,” Diaz-Santin explains. Instead, use a curl refreshing spray or mousse to tame flyaways and frizz.

Human Hair

You can treat boho braids with human hair like your actual hair, so don’t be afraid to use heat styling tools on the extensions. Make sure to regularly moisturize the curly pieces with lightweight products to keep them defined and healthy-looking. “To keep the human hair pieces moisturized and smooth, mix a small amount of Rebalance Pre-Conditioner Treatment with warm water in a spray bottle, lightly mist the hair, and then use your fingers or brush to gently detangle [the curls].”

How Long Do Boho Braids Last?

Our experts say you should leave your boho braids installed for three to six weeks. Any longer than that can lead to an excess build-up of oil and product on your scalp. While your braids are installed, adhere to a strict scalp care and styling routine to ensure your hair remains healthy.

The Final Takeaway

Boho braids offer a refreshing twist on traditional knotless and box braids, adding cool, curly pieces to the mix. The addition of curly hair—whether synthetic or human—to the braided look makes the style a bit more high-maintenance than usual, so it’s important to be diligent about your maintenance routine. All in all, boho braids are chic, versatile protective style option definitely worth trying.