If “low-maintenance” and “protective style” are your hair care love languages, then Knotless Boho Braids are your ultimate romantic partner. Evoking a blend of early-aughts nostalgia with the ease of today’s minimalistic beauty ethos, this hairstyle is a showstopper without being a schedule-stopper. Here’s your foolproof guide to achieving the look.
The “Why” behind the Knotless Braids Craze
Before we jump into the “how,” let’s explore the “why.” Knotless braids are all about minimizing scalp tension while maximizing style—a beauty equilibrium if ever there was one. Traditional braids tie at the root, which can pull at your hair and scream “ouch” louder than stubbing your toe. Knotless braids, however, start with your natural hair and integrate the braiding hair as they go along, so you get the same look without that first week of uncomfortable scalp tension.
Boho braids are having more than a moment—they’ve been gracing the heads of the protective style lover since Beyoncè in her Destiny’s Child era, and every Summer it seems like they make a comeback. If you are thinking about trying them out, here’s what to know.
Find the Right Stylist
Step one is like swiping right on the ideal stylist—a real texture whisperer. Your hair doesn’t just need to be styled; it needs to be understood. That means finding a pro who knows how to work with your unique texture while maximizing longevity and meeting your hair’s unique goals. Take your time, ask your friends for a referral, check out their social media to make sure they have worked with clients with hair similar to yours, and maybe even schedule a consultation. You can also try out the rebundle hair braider directory to find a stylist that has worked with rebundle hair before. Your perfect match is out there.
Keep it Tension Free
By going knotless, you keep the tension low, the comfort high, and the health of your hair at the forefront. It’s like athleisure for your hair: looks great, feels amazing. Insist on knotless braids to avoid that “too tight” feeling. This method reduces tension and allows you to actually forget you have braids in, which is kinda the dream, right?
Your Hair, But Greener: Rebundle
A few years ago, I got an extreme allergic reaction on my scalp after getting my hair braided. Since then I have always asked my stylist to wash the hair first, but now I only trust rebundle har. If this has happened to you, it could be time to ditch the synthetic stuff and opt for Rebundle’s “Braid Better” hair for the braiding part. This isn’t just any hair—it’s the triple-threat of braiding materials. Vegan? Check. Non-toxic? Double-check. Biodegradable? Triple-check. In short, you’ll be both a style icon and an eco-hero. I only used two bundles of braid better (cut in half because they are very long!) for my knotless boho style, plus human hair for the left out wavy parts.
Human Hair Bundles
Complete the look by adding in human hair bundles, I color-matched my honey blonde rebundle hair with a little less that two bundles of #27 human hair and it worked perfectly. Human hair was a game changer for those wavy strands left out of the braids, turning your braids from “just another style” into “OMG, who’s your stylist?”
Maintenance 101
While knotless boho braids are pretty low-maintenance, I’ve learned a few tricks to ensure that your hair stays healthy underneath and Insta-ready on top.
- Spritz your hair with water daily and a dash of scalp oil when needed.
- When the hair starts to frizz, use some mousse and lay it down with a tight scarf or durag.
- If you use human hair, make sure to wash it with shampoo and conditioner when it starts to look dull. I like to wash it every two weeks, but everyone’s hair and lifestyle is different.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillow and/or wear a bonnet to keep braids in tip-top shape.
These tips will keep your style looking salon-fresh, for several weeks. Low-maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance, but trust me, it’s almost as easy.
With Knotless Boho Braids, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a long lasting, low-maintenance protective style that also keeps your hair healthy and flourishing while installed. So, don’t just sit there—get that salon appointment in the books and prepare to be the main character all season long.
My Favorite Ways to Style Knotless Braids
Image Source: @ktippy
The braid game is changing and Rebundle is leading the way with their plant-based hair extensions, read more from our interview with the founder Ciara Imani May.
