When the weather heats up, perspiration becomes the new norm. To cope, many people switch to breathable clothes and use more deodorants. But little attention is paid to the hair. That shouldn’t be so. During hot seasons, everything about your appearance calls for a change, including your hair. And summer braids make it easy.
These braids are a powerful way to embrace style and functionality while switching up your look. They’re comfy, gorgeous, and breathable. They also protect your scalp from the scorching sun and give you a picture-perfect look for the beach, vacations, and other summer vibes. If you’re on the lookout for a compatible hairstyle for summer, look no further. Below, we’ll explore protective braids to enhance your look this season. Let’s dive right in.
Boho Summer Braids
Otherwise known as goddess braids, this hairstyle is perfect for anyone who wants to exude a boho flair. It features added curly strands, which elevate the hairstyle, giving it a less uniform look than traditional box braids.
The added curls can vary from loose wave to deep wave, kinky curl, and any curly texture that best fits your desired look. Additionally, you can add the curls to some or all the braids, depending on how voluminous you want your hair to look.
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Knotless Summer braids
If you need tension-free braids that don’t pull on your edges, go knotless. To get the look, your hairstylist first braids your natural hair from the roots and then feeds in extensions as they go on. Knotless braids help to reduce the regular pain at the roots of your hair. They’re also lightweight, making them perfect for summer.
Short braids
Ditch the super long braids unless you’re making them scanty, and go for short braided hairstyles. Whichever style you go for, keeping it short gives you a low-maintenance look suitable for hot weather.
Kinky twists
These tight, coily twists are a must-wear this summer. You can rock them as thin twists for a voluminous look. But to cope with the hot weather, go for 20 to 30 mid-sized to large twists that cover your entire head. They allow you to stretch your natural, kinky hair into elongated twists that fall around your shoulders or back.
Coi Leray braids
Named after the American rapper, Coi Leray, this hairdo is simply jumbo knotless braids with curly ends. It traditionally features 16 medium-length knotless box braids (8 on each side) with bouncy curly ends and laid edges. Coi Leray braids are chunky and scanty, perfect for the summer heat wave.
Cornrow summer braids
Take the traditional cornrow braids up a notch by asking your hairstylist to create shapes and designs on them. Hearts, stars, zigzag patterns, and boxes are excellent examples. Adding these shapes to your cornrows takes your coiffure to new heights.
Feed-in braids
As the name implies, this style involves feeding in extensions from the roots to the tips while braiding. Your hairstylist starts by braiding your natural hair. Afterward, they add little extensions and increase the size as they continue braiding. This technique helps to add more length and volume to the braids. Rock it as shuku, Ghana-weaving, or stitch braids. Your options are endless.
Updo summer braids
Would this list be complete without the classic updo? When the weather gets NYC-hot and you feel like dunking yourself in a cold bath, you don’t want your hair strands sticking to your sweaty neck or back. Instead, roll your braids or style your natural hair into a bun, afro puffs, or short ponytail. Updos let you stay elegant while keeping your hair off your face, neck, and back.
Pop Smoke braids
From its name, you can tell the late rapper Pop Smoke popularized this hairstyle. It incorporates jumbo feed-in braids with a middle part. Rock it in any color or length of extension you choose. It’s lightweight, breathable, and perfect for hot weather.
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How to Care for Your Summer Braids
Maintenance is key for a long-lasting style and healthy hair underneath. To care for your braids until you take them out:
- Oil your scalp every three days.
- Wear a silk scarf or hair bonnet to keep the roots neat and maintain curls while you sleep.
- Apply leave-in conditioner or hair oil to keep the strands shiny.
How to Reduce Breakage from Summer Braids
- If you have long braids, don’t cut the extensions too short to avoid cutting your real hair underneath.
- Slowly detangle your real hair as you remove each braid. Don’t wait until you’ve taken out all the braids, as this can complicate the detangling process.
- Once you’ve taken out a section, twist or braid the hair to keep it from detangling or getting in the way of the remaining braids you’re removing.
Braided Hairstyles are a Must-wear for Summer
Braided hairstyles are a gorgeous way to switch up your look and exude flair and personality. They’re versatile, as you can rock them long or short, chunky or thin, and as twists or box braids. The cheat code is to ensure they’re breathable enough to keep you comfortable when the temperature turns humid.
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