Slay Festival Season With These Boho Monica Braids
Sideswept braids are nothing new (hi, Nicki Minaj), but on this week’s ep of The Braid Up, we’re shaking things up a little bit. The new look you’re about to be obsessed with? Boho Monica braids: a simple (but never basic) and cute protective style that you can try out whether you’re transitioning to—or already—wearing your hair fully natural. Our hair-braiding guru, Stasha Harris, gives us the lowdown on how to recreate these braids IRL.
Down to try out these boho Monica braids? Keep reading for all the tips and products.
1. Add extra moisture to your hair before you start braiding. A good foundation is key when it comes to protective styles. I mean, your hair is going to be braided up for weeks, so you want to make sure it’s properly moisturized. So, massage in a deep conditioning treatment to make sure your hair is healthy, happy, and hydrated.
2. Use curly braiding hair in addition to straight braiding hair. The curly, “undone” ends are what turn these Monica braids into a boho look. Have your stylist feed them in while she’s braiding for a cool-looking style.
3. Hit your braids with mousse before you go to bed. Want your braids to last longer? Work about two pumps of mousse through your braids at night before covering them in a silk scarf to sleep. Doing so helps tame frizz and flyaways and makes sure your hair looks 100 for as long as possible.
4. Lay your edges with a brush. If you have trouble using a comb to swirl your edges, use a toothbrush or an edge styler to swoop your baby hairs into any shape you want.
Boom, you’re done! But before you race to your braider, watch the video above to see if the look is a style you and a friend could execute at home. Happy braiding!
Hair: Magic Fingers Studio; Makeup: Lakeisha Dale; Stylist: Ann Wang; Beauty Assistant: Ama Kwarteng
Senior Director: Jason Ikeler; Segment Producer: Erika Trombley; Videographer: Andy Clancy; Editor: Rashawn Colton; Production Assistant: Jay Aguirre
Fashion credits: Akira jacket and skirt
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