It goes without saying that the arrival of summer signals the beginning of countless trends amongst the beauty and fashion crowd. Aesthetics remain an endless source of inspiration thanks to major social media platforms with notable styles and looks experiencing a lightening quick rise to prominence. Over the past few years, those of us who rely on protective styles, have witnessed a rise in one particular one: goddess braids (also commonly referred to as bohemian braids).
If you haven't yet come across this fantastic phenomenon in the natural hair community, here's the gist of it: goddess braids allow for a flowing, loose tendril look that offers more body, movement and versatility in styling. Feeling inspired? It's never too late to hop on the goddess braids trend train. Below, you'll find advice from one of New York's leading braiders and product recommendations that can completely transform your look.
The Braiding Process + Upkeep
Braided protective styles rise in popularity over the summer months for two major reasons: they are generally low maintenance and require little manipulation throughout the duration of the style. "In addition to being a low maintenance and low manipulation hairstyle, some other benefits to braids are length retention and style versatility," begins Swivel Beauty stylist Kamary Mingo, a New York-based braider with over 20 years of experience. "Due to your strands being tucked away in a protective style, the probability of breakage and split ends are significantly lowered, which aids in length retention." According to Mingo, there are two ways to achieve the goddess braid look.
When working with traditional box or knotless braids (typically achieved with synthetic hair), an additional mixture of synthetic or human hair can be simultaneously added in and left out over the braids for the loose tendril effect. Human hair can also be added at the ends of the braid for a curly or wavy finish; "allowing for more mobility within the style while keeping tension levels low." Some stylists opt to use crochet synthetic hair to keeps costs low (as human hair is more expensive than synthetic) but may me more challenging to maintain in the long run.
Your goddess braids can be maintained with just four simple products: water, moisturizing oil, mousse and/or a lightweight, water-based conditioning spray. "Be patient with your goddess/bohemian braids and keep in mind loose hair, like your natural hair, tangles, and is subject to frizz when left out and subject to natural elements i.e. humidity, rain, friction etc. To keep frizz and tangles at bay, when applying products such as water, mousse, or conditioning spray, gently comb, brush or finger detangle any knots as you see them," Mingo encourages.
Frizz-Fighting Mousse
Pro Tip #1: "Water-based foaming mousse or conditioning spray can be applied as a way to separate and set the curl pattern of the human hair. This product can be applied once or twice a week," explains Mingo. "These products should not be applied daily in order to avoid product buildup and weighing down the loose curls."
Looking to add some body and life back into your hair? This water-based, foam defining mousse offers a firm, lasting hold.
Customer review: "I’ve been using this for years. It’s gives great shine and provides wonderful curl retention without weighing it down on my African American natural curly hair (4a?). I wash & condition & detangle hair in shower and then while hair is mostly wet I put a full pump into each section of my hair and rake my fingers through to evenly distribute product. I leave in and let air dry or diffuse. It gives me nice volume and great shine. I also use for touch up between washings. Spritz hair with water and rub in to define curl. Love it!"
Lotta Body's foaming mousse is formulating with a coconut and shea oil for ridiculously hydrated and shiny strands.
Customer review: "With the price point I wasn’t expecting much, but the overall reviews were so high, I thought I would try it. I have 2b hair and I’m always looking for new products for my curly wavy hair. I’ve never found anything that I definitely 100% love in all these years, but this one actually ranks way at the top of the list for me. Glad I took a chance with it and will continue to buy it."
While not exactly a mousse, this braid cream definitely works to lock in moisture, protecting it against dryness, and reducing breakage during your takedown.
Customer review: "I'm using this product to right now to braid my hair. It smells amazing and my husband absolutely loves the scent! It truly keeps hair moisturized. I also used this for a flat-twist out and it gave such bounce and the perfect weight to my curls for a polished look! Tip for twist out- after I blew out my hair, I was afraid of using too much of this styling creme so the left side wasn't as defined and perfect as the right and back!"
Hydrating Conditioning Spray
Ideal for all hair types, Taliah Waajid's instant leave-in conditioner promotes moisture, conditioning, and hair re-growth by coating the hair to combat breakage before and after the braiding process.
Customer review: "This is the perfect multi use product. It keeps my hair perfectly moisturized, and makes my twistouts super defined for days. When I use it for my wash n go my hair is moist, has tons of body and not weighed down or greasy at all. I also use it to refresh my wash n go when needed, and it is just like the first day! Oh, and the smell is so pleasant that it is just like nature. I ordered three because it is hard to find in my area. This is a product that I implement into all of my hair care routines. Thanks Taliah for a great product!"
A must-have for anyone who's especially active while sporting protective styles; this one is for you. It's a micellar water-based dry shampoo alternative infused with apple cider vinegar that cleans and protects the scalp.
Customer review: "As someone who is very active— dancing and working out I love using this rinse especially when wearing protective styles. There’s no way I’m able to wash my braids every single day and it feels so good to able to spray this after those moments. Also as someone that suffers with psoriasis I don’t see it causing issues for me to which is important. Now that I have it I can’t go without it."
Use this lightweight, nourishing spray to deeply moisturize and refresh your curls, kinks, and coils using ingredients like agave nectar, cocoa butter, and shea butter.
Customer review: "I love this Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Refresher Spray. First I love that it's a spray, I love spraying products on my hair rather than applying with my hands, although I do have to use my hands just to smooth it through a little. I love carols daughter updated packaging, it so chic looking. But the hair milk works well with my hair, I have short 3c/4a curls and coils, and I have a thick, course, and kinky hair texture, and although I have a lot of hair my hair feels soooo soft and manageable, and tangle free!"
Moisturizing Oil
Pro Tip #2: "Scalp health while wearing a protective style is vital. Make sure to condition with a light moisturizing oil," shares our hair braiding expert.
This oil recommendation comes straight from Mingo. Made with peppermint and eucalyptus to cleanse the scalp and awaken the senses, Textured Press' Black Magic Oil works wonders.
Customer review: "I have been using black magic oil since 2020. This oil saved my life during lockdown. I have lupus and dermatitis in my scalp and suffered with huge flakes and dry scalp that leads to hair loss. Because of this oil I didn't have to wash my scalp as often and my hair grew stronger and healthier. Also while wearing protective styles my braids lasted longer. I recommend this to everyone."
This hair oil by Mielle went viral a few months ago following a TikTok video by influencer Alix Earle. It's nourishes and strengthens your strands while smoothing split ends and soothing the scalp.
Customer review: Okay wow… I’m currently on my second bottle of this hair oil and I’m actually in disbelief at how much my hair has grown since the first day I’ve used it til now. My hair wouldn’t grow not even 1 inch for years and was dry, brittle and damaged. 2 bottles later and my hair has grown about 4 inches. I’m so happy with my results. How I use it: I use it on my ends every day. Massage it onto my scalp every 2 days. Coat my whole head of hair in it over night and wash it in the morning once a week."
We'll be stocking up on this one before it flies off the shelves again. It's a pre-wash and root treatment oil containing strengthening ashwagandha for a healthier-looking hair.
Customer review: "This oil has helped clear my scalp from any buildup that can occur without feeling too heavy. Very easy to rinse out. I’ve had the best results from applying the oil to my roots, massaging in then letting it sit for a couple hours. Once in the shower, i try to rinse out as much as possible with just water. Next, I use the Fable and Mane scalp scrub. The two work like a dream together! If you are looking for something that is both detoxing and lightweight, this is your holy grail."
Other Helpful Products
Pro Tip #3: "Your goddess braids can be spritzed daily with water in order to refresh the curls after removing a scarf or bonnet," Mingo says.
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