Here's Everything I Use to Keep My Boho Braids Tangle-Free
These are saving my life right now.
I try to limit how often I wear braids and protective styles to about two times a year, but I'll admit that boho knotless braids currently have me in a very tight chokehold. These are pretty similar to traditional box braids in that they require the hair to be separated into individual plaits (large, medium, or small) around the head, but the main difference is that boho braids typically feature curly or wavy pieces of hair that are added to the braid using a feed-in technique. The pieces sit outside of the braids to give your hair an overall half-braided, half-curly look. It's a style that's carefree in nature (hence the name), but the only downside I've found myself dealing with is that, while beautiful, tangles are inevitable.
This being my second time wearing boho braids, I've realized that these require slightly more maintenance than traditional braids since the loose hair outside of the braids is a lot more prone to tangling. Thankfully though, I've been able to settle on a lineup of products that have been keeping my braids tangle-free without the fuss. Read ahead to see a small chunk of my current detangling hair routine.
Brush or Bust
Obviously, the easiest way to get rid of tangles and knots is to brush through them with a detangling brush. That said, not all detangling brushes are the same, and if you want to be knot-free without ripping out your hair or causing further damage, these are the tools that deserve a spot in your beauty bag.
This is, hands down, my favorite detangling brush for boho braids. The bristles are a little flexible so that they move with the hair as opposed to pulling and potentially breaking it off, but they’re also spread so far apart that they’re able to work through the tangles without getting caught or stuck on the braids.
Kitsch’s Flexi Brush also has bendable teeth, so you don’t have to worry about being rough on the hair or pulling it. For best results, get the hair a little wet first, then apply a detangling spray before going in with the brush.
Sometimes brushing the hair can inadvertently cause it to become frizzy, but Conair detangling hair brush makes it easy to get the knots out of loosely curled hair without causing any further damage.
Knot Today
Sure, a good brush is a must-have, but so is a detangling spray that can loosen knots and make working through knots and tangles a seamless and (literally) painless process. On top of getting rid of knots, these products also help to hydrate my hair.
This detangling spray was featured in Cécred’s protective style collection that launched last year, and while it’s technically meant to be used right after removing braids and protective styles, I’ve found that it also helps me detangle the curls in my boho braids when necessary. It has a milky texture and amazing slip that practically melts away knots.
This is a really lightweight mist that detangles while also keeping the hair conditioned, which is a lifesaver since boho braids can become very dry if you don't care for them properly.
This low-cost detangler is another milky formula that easily detangles while also keeping the hair soft and hydrated. If you’re using it on hair that’s not braided or tucked away, it can also provide heat protection before blow drying or straightening.
Super Serums
After brushing through the knots, I like to go in with a light hair serum that can keep my boho pieces looking smooth and silky. These are the ones I haven't been able to put down.
Just a few pumps of this silky formula is enough to soften the hair while preventing frizz and tangles.
This serum is so soft and silky, and a small amount goes a very long way. For best results, it's meant to be used on hair right before blow drying, but I used it to refresh some pretty dated boho braids a few months ago and it worked like magic in making the hair look much silkier than before.
Wrap It Up
One of the best ways to avoid tangles in the first place (no matter what your hairstyle of choice is) is to protect your hair when you sleep. Plenty of people would recommend sleeping on a silk pillowcase, since other materials cause too much friction that can be rough on the hair, but if you don't have one of those, a simple head wrap at night will also work.
I like to stock up on silk bonnets to sleep in at night to ensure my hair doesn't dry out and become frizzy and tangled.
A satin headscarf also works and may even be more practical for thicker braided hairstyles.
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