One thing about African braids is their versatility. Just when you think you’ve had enough of cornrows and box braids, you realize there’s a lot more you haven’t tried out. And most of the time, these new ones are variations of basic braids. Take butterfly braids, for instance.
This hairstyle is an offshoot of box braids. Most times, it’s a combo of another variation of box braids—knotless braids.
So, you see they’re all intertwined. But you know what makes them special? It’s the fact that each variant has distinct features that make them unique.
Butterfly braids are one of the braids ruling the hair scene. Its curly look that transforms regular braids makes it a must-wear this season (or any other).
If the time has come for you to wear a new hairdo, give these braids a shot. You already decided to do that? Great!
Now let’s learn more about this hairdo and see some style inspiration for you to choose from.
What are Butterfly Braids?
Otherwise known as passion braids, butterfly passion braids, knotless butterfly braids, or passion butterfly braids, this hairdo looks like the usual box braids. The major difference is that it comes with more effects—small curves or curls around each braid.Â
This is how it works:
Your hairstylist uses any color of attachment hair extension to braid your hair into thick curly braids. They incorporate a free water wave braiding hair into the strands to give it a fluffy look.Â
Butterfly passion braids are beautiful attachment hairstyles. They’re protective hairstyles that require little maintenance too.Â
And if you don’t want the braid options, you can go for butterfly locs. You’ll still look as beautiful as you intend to be.
What Kind of Hair is Suitable for Passion Braids?
Any type of hair can achieve this coiffure. It doesn’t matter if yours is relaxed or natural hair. It doesn’t also matter the type of kinky hair you have.Â
Once you shampoo and prep your hair before your appointment, your hairstylist would give you a beautiful hairdo.
How Long Do Passion Butterfly Braids Last?
These braids can last up to about four to six weeks. It all depends on how well you take care of them.
What Type of Hair Extension is Used for Butterfly Passion Braids?
The best extensions for butterfly braids hairstyles are attachments. You can use any color of attachment to achieve them. And if you don’t wanna spend time stretching the attachment, go for pre-stretched extensions.
They’re ready to use once detached from the pack.
Besides attachment extensions, you’ll also need freetress water wave hair to achieve the curls around your butterfly box braids.
How Many Packs Of Extensions Do I Need For Passion Butterfly Braids?
This depends on the length and size of passion braids hairstyles you want to achieve.Â
If you need something long and dense, you’ll have to use two packs of hair. But if your hair isn’t full and you need thin, long braids, a pack of pre-stretched extensions could work.
How to Take Care of Your Knotless Butterfly Braids Once Installed
1. Wear a Satin Bonnet to Bed
A satin or silk bonnet helps to retain moisture in your head. It also prevents your hairdo from getting rough while you toss and turn on your bed.
Wear one before you sleep to ensure your braids last long.
2. Oil Your Scalp
To prevent your scalp from getting dry and itchy, apply hair cream or any of the natural oils for hair growth.
This helps to moisturize your hair and maintain its sheen as you rock your hairdo.
3. Don’t Over-style
Doing this can lead to hair breakage. It can also weaken the hairline of your natural hair, thereby resulting in loss around your edges. Furthermore, it also gets your braids old and rough faster.
So, let your braids rest. Manipulate them into ponytails, half up half down, double buns, donuts, updos, etc. But don’t do that too often lest you should suffer the consequences.
4. Use Hair Spray
Hair sprays add shine to your braids. Use them to maintain your braid’s sheen especially when they no longer look new.
But don’t overdo this lest you should clog your scalp pores with product buildups.
Types of Butterfly Braids Hairstyles
Jumbo Butterfly Braids
These braids are chunky or fat in size.
Though they may consume more extensions, they’re super stylish as they add more volume to your hair.
Long Butterfly Braids
Do you want braids that dangle around your back down to your waist or bum? If yes, go for long passion braids.
But be ready to sit for long and invest in enough attachment especially if you want the braids thick and full on your head.
Short or Medium Passion Braids
These ones stay around or slightly below your shoulders.Â
They’re not long. And as such, they’re comfortable and won’t take much time especially if you don’t like your hair stressing you.
Colorful Butterfly Braids Hairstyles
How about you mix two colors of hair extensions together? Or maybe you use a bright-colored one people seldom use?
Colorful butterfly box braids are a quick way to make a style statement with your hair. Go for this if you love to look different and don’t mind some attention.
Cornrows Butterfly Passion BraidsÂ
To achieve this hairstyle your hairstylist would have to braid your hair into shuku or all-back cornrows before adding the curls towards the end of the cornrows.Â
This type of passion braids hairstyle can be stitch braids or regular cornrows. Anyone works.
Knotless Butterfly Braids
This style is achieved using the feed-in technique. That is, instead of installing your braids right to your scalp, your hairstylist first braids your natural hair before attaching the extension and keeps feeding in more extensions as they braid on.
Most passion braids are knotless.
Accessorized Passion Braids
Done braiding your hair? Don’t get up from your seat yet. Ask your stylist to adorn the braids with hair accessories such as cowries, beads, gold/silver cuffs, scrunchies, headbands, etc.
Accessories beautify your hair and come in handy when it’s time to restyle your braids.
Side or Centre Part Butterfly Braids
Your stylist will most likely part your braids by the side or in the middle to frame your face better.
Whichever one you go for is beautiful and worth the time.
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