Everything to Know About Boho Knotless Box Braids, One of Summer’s Most Popular Protective Hairstyles

Boho knotless braids are arguably thee protective hairstyle of summer. The look marries the knotless braid (a feed-in braided extension that starts with your hair) with additional pieces of wavy (or curly) hair throughout each braid.

I can think of at least five beauty editor friends who have rocked the look this season already—and that doesn't even scratch the surface of its popularity overall. A quick search of the style on TikTok loads thousands of posts, including style inspiration and maintenance tips. Celebrities like Tyla, Gabrielle Union, and Marsai Martin have also worn boho knotless braids recently. To help learn more about the popular braided hairstyle, we spoke to experts about the best way to wear and care for them, plus what to expect if you're considering them, ahead.

What are boho knotless braids?

According to the experts, boho knotless braids are a hybrid between knotless feed-in braids with pieces of wavy hair braided throughout. "It's a great style that allows for a bit more versatility than traditional box braids," Redway says. While this hairstyle resembles traditional knotless braids at its foundation, boho knotless braids features four or more strands of loose synthetic or human hair per braid, which creates a voluminous mix of braids and curls.

Davis says that boho knotless braids are reminiscent of the pick-and-drop hairstyle (box braids with curly ends versus curls throughout the length of the braid) popular in the early 2000s and 2010s (and still equally popular today).

What hair is needed for boho knotless braids?

To achieve the boho knotless braid, you will need bulk braiding hair and curly (or wavy) braiding hair extensions. The amount of bulk braiding hair you need will depend on the size of the braids you want and the overall look you're going for. "Depending on the client's head size, you'll need approximately four or five packs of braiding hair for boho knotless braids," says Davis.

The amount of curly hair you'd need to feed into your braids will also depend on how voluminous you want the curls to be. The more curly hair dispersed throughout each braid, the more voluminous your final look will be. If you're unsure of how much curly hair to purchase before installing boho knotless box braids, we recommend saving inspiration photos of the style you like and sharing them with your braider, who can advise on how much curly hair you'd need for your look.

Davis also says that a rattail comb (preferably with a metal tail) is preferred to achieve precise parts. She also recommends picking up a styling mousse, like The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam ($15), which W+G's senior beauty editor, Aimee Simeon, loves for setting braids, minimizing flyaways, and maintaining curl definition.

How to prep your hair for boho knotless braids

Before getting boho knotless braids (or any braided style, for that matter), you want to ensure your hair and scalp are thoroughly shampooed and free of product buildup (some people like to use a clarifying shampoo and a hydrating conditioner at this step). Your hair should be completely dried and somewhat stretched before installing your braids, with some experts recommending you detangle and air dry your hair in sections or large braids. You can also use a blow dryer to remove moisture before braiding.

Warrell says that you should prepare to spend a decent chunk of time in the chair (if your hair is being braided by someone else, if you're DIY'ing you should also budget in a large block of time). "Installation time for boho knotless braids vary depending on size, length, and density but can range anywhere from two to eight hours," she says.

How long do boho knotless braids last?

Boho knotless braids are a time investment, and you'll probably want to get maximum wear. However, it's important to keep proper care in mind to keep your hair and scalp healthy. "Aftercare is important for maintaining any braiding style, as it significantly extends the lifespan of your braids," Valcin says. "With proper aftercare, your braids can last up to six weeks."

However, experts generally don't recommend pushing it past the six-week mark. Braids, especially if installed tightly, can cause tension on the scalp, resulting in tenderness, scalp acne, or even traction alopecia in some cases. So, you want to ensure you're taking proper care of your braids, cleansing your scalp thoroughly to avoid product buildup and relieve scalp tension, and removing the braids in an appropriate time frame.

How to take care of boho knotless braids

Any braided protective style will require some maintenance, and boho knotless braids are no different. Because this style incorporates loose curly or wavy pieces throughout, you'll have to do more to keep the loose pieces from tangling. "To maintain boho knotless braid, wear a silk or satin bonnet at night to protect minimize frizz and use your fingers to detangle the curly pieces as needed," Worrell says.

If your curly pieces feel dry or tangled, lightly mist them with water or a leave-in conditioner spray to separate and define them. However, if you're using a water-based product to define your curls, you want to ensure your hair is completely dry afterward. You can air dry or use a blow dryer to absorb moisture without disrupting your curls.

Davis recommends using a scalp serum daily or a few times a week to moisturize your scalp while wearing a braided style like boho knotless braids. Redway says you can also wash your box braids like you'd wash your hair to keep your scalp clean. "You want to pay attention to how well you rinse product out of your braids," says Redway. "You can moisturize your braids after washing them with a leave-in conditioner spray." After washing your boho knotless box braids, you want to ensure they are completely dried (air drying, blow drying, or sitting under a hooded dryer would work). Davis also recommends sleeping with a satin pillowcase once your braids are dried to help reduce friction.

How much do boho knotless braids cost?

The cost of boho knotless braids will depend on your location, the stylist, the length and size of the braids you want, and the supplies needed for the service (i.e., curly human braiding hair will cost you more than synthetic curly braiding hair). Warrell says that, generally, boho knotless braids can cost anywhere between $200 and $850, depending on the size and length of your braids.

Final takeaway

Boho knotless braids are a versatile take on a classic style, and it's easy to see why they are so popular. Like most braided styles, you should expect boho knotless braids to take at least two hours to install, and, of course, some maintenance is required. You should prioritize regularly moisturizing and cleansing your scalp while wearing boho knotless braids, and if the curls in your style start to feel dry or tangled, treat them like you would your hair: moisturize, detangle, define, and seal with a leave-in conditioner or a mousse.

Tags: Hair Style Tips

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