The Ultimate Boho Braids Dictionary: Terms You Need to Know

Boho braids have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a beautiful blend of style, convenience, and self-expression.

These effortlessly chic braids can transform your look and add a touch of bohemian flair to any outfit. Whether you're heading to a music festival a beach vacation, or just want to elevate your everyday style, boho braids are the perfect choice.

If you're new to boho braids or want to expand your knowledge, this glossary will help you understand the key terms and concepts of this trendy hairstyle.

Your friends at Private Label not only love to sell the best boho braiding extensions but want to make sure you are highly informed about the products and styles.

We've covered you, from different braid styles to essential tools and techniques.

Understanding these terms will enhance your braiding skills and empower you to experiment with various looks and create your own unique braiding masterpieces.

Let's dive in and explore the ultimate boho braids dictionary.

With this guide, you'll be well-equipped to confidently and creatively navigate the world of boho braids.

Get ready to become a boho braiding pro and impress everyone with your newfound knowledge and stunning styles!

Boho Braids

Boho braids, short for "bohemian braids," are a relaxed and free-spirited braided hairstyle.

These braids are inspired by bohemian fashion and culture and are known for their carefree and artistic vibe.

What sets boho braids apart is their intentionally loose and effortless appearance. Unlike tight, traditional braids, boho braids often feature strands of hair left out of the braid, creating a soft and natural look.

Bohemian Knotless Braids

Bohemian knotless braids represent a modern take on traditional braiding techniques.

The critical feature of knotless braids is how they start at the scalp.

Instead of beginning with a small knot (common in many boho braids styles), knotless braids smoothly transition from your natural hair into the braid.

Bohemian Box Braids

Bohemian box braids combine two popular styles: traditional box braids and the relaxed boho aesthetic like our Deep Wave Boho Braids.

The hair is sectioned at the roots into small, square-shaped areas, and along the length, the braids maintain a neat, organized appearance.

The ends of the braids are left loose, often styled into curls or waves for a playful, carefree look.

Snatched Edges

Edges are the fine, short hairs along your hairline. "Snatched edges" means these hairs are styled very neatly and attractively.

This can be done by smoothing them flat against the skin, curling them into small shapes, or arranging them in decorative patterns.

People often use unique styling products and tools to achieve this polished look for their edges.

Extra Long Boho Braids

These are boho braids that extend well beyond shoulder length.

Extra long boho braids typically use fewer, larger braids to create a dramatic, eye-catching look. They may take less time to install than styles with many small braids.

Fluffy Boho Braids

Fluffy boho braids typically extend to waist length and have a light, airy look.

They blend boho braids and loose hair seamlessly, creating the appearance of one flowing mass of hair instead of separate braids.

Dense Curl Boho Braids

This variation of boho braids focuses on maximizing volume and thickness.

To achieve this look, curly hair extensions are woven throughout the length of the braids. This style is typically done with small to medium-sized braids, resulting in a luxurious appearance.

Corkscrew Curl Boho Braids

This type of boho braid uses tightly spiraled curls instead of loose waves or gentle curls.

These tight curls give the braids a unique, springy texture. The result looks natural, often making it hard to tell that the braids aren't the wearer's hair.

Two-Tone Boho Braids

A style of boho braids that uses two different hair colors. The base color is usually darker, while lighter-colored curly pieces are added throughout.

This combination creates a contrast that gives the hair a sun-kissed, highlighted look. The result is visually attractive and adds depth to the overall hairstyle.

Subtle Boho Braids

This style uses only a small amount of kinky curly hair extensions. The stylist carefully adds tiny pieces of curly hair throughout the braids, creating a look that appears slightly messy and naturally worn, as if the braids have been in for a while.

The result is a softer, more understated version of boho braids.

Fulani Boho Braids

A style that combines traditional Fulani braids (a style originating from the Fulani people of West Africa) with boho elements.

It has one braid down the middle of the head, braids around the face, and loose, curly ends. This style looks nice and keeps hair away from the face.

Half-head Cornrows & Boho Braids

It is a versatile style that features cornrows on the top half of the head and boho braids flowing freely from the back half. 

This combination offers a balance between sleek structure and bohemian flair.

Boho Braid Bob

This hairstyle combines the short, trendy bob haircut with short hair boho braids.

The braids typically end at chin or shoulder length. The bottom half of the hair is full and curly, looking similar to pick-and-drop or goddess braids.

Curly strands are woven into the braids, starting from higher up on the head to create a smooth blend.

Natural hair Boho Braids

A style that uses your natural hair for the braids, with curly extensions woven in.

The result is delicate, soft braids (often skinny, almost like micro-braids) and a natural, earthy appearance.

Ombre Boho Braids

Ombre boho braids incorporate a color gradient, typically moving from darker shades at the roots to lighter shades at the ends. Warm colors like light brown or golden are often used, fading into blonde.

This creates a sense of depth in the hairstyle. The hairstylist can also incorporate multiple colors for a more dramatic effect.

Kanekalon Braiding Hair

Kanekalon is synthetic hair commonly used for braided styles, including boho braids.

It's cheaper than natural human hair extensions, and since it can handle heat, you can use hot water to seal the ends so they don't unravel. It also comes in many colors and textures, giving you various options for your hairstyle.

Human Hair

Natural human hair is often used for braiding; it looks and feels more like natural hair. It's lighter and less bulky than synthetic hair.

You can also use hot tools like straighteners or curling irons on it, though this isn't usually needed for boho braids.

Edge Control

Edge control refers to products designed to style and smooth the baby hairs along your hairline. These products can help create clean, sharp lines at your hairline when styling boho braids.

They can also be used to style baby hairs into waves or curls.

Unbraided Ends

This is a technique used in boho braids where the bottom portions of the braids are left loose.

This creates a relaxed, bohemian look that is typical of this style. To achieve this, curly hair extensions are attached near the ends of the braids.

Unbraided Strands

A method used in boho braids where some hair is left loose throughout the braid's length. To create this effect, the stylist folds the bulk braiding hair in half, weaves one part into the braid, and leaves the other free.

This creates a flowing, curly look typical of the Bohemian style.

Post-Seal Curly Braiding Hair

A technique used to create boho braids after the initial braiding process. First, you braid and seal your hair as usual. Then, you use a unique latch hook tool to add extra curly hair to each braid.

You can attach these curly strands at different points along the braids and in varying lengths.

Bonnet

A silk bonnet or silk scarf is a head covering used at night to protect braided hairstyles. You wrap it around your head before sleeping to keep your braids looking neat.

It reduces friction between your hair and the pillow, which helps prevent frizz and maintains the braids' shape.

This nightly care helps your braids stay fresh and tidy for longer.

Understanding these terms and techniques can help you communicate better with your stylist or guide you if you're creating boho braids yourself.