Boho braids are knotless or box braids installed with loose, curly human hair left out along the length of each braid. Instead of a uniform braid from root to tip, wavy strands escape at intervals down the shaft, creating a soft, undone finish. They're also called bohemian braids, boho knotless braids, or goddess braids with curls.
We sell the hair that goes into these braids. Our Atlanta, Smyrna, and Tucker stores move bulk deep wave and pre-made boho braids every week, and the same four questions come up at the counter every single day: how much hair do I need, what does it cost, how long will it last, and will it wreck my edges. This guide answers all four with real numbers instead of vibes.
Boho Braids vs. Knotless vs. Goddess vs. Box Braids
Our guide to hair extension prices by length shows exactly where each option sits.
These four styles get used interchangeably online, and they aren't the same thing. Here's the honest breakdown.
| Boho Braids | Knotless Braids | Goddess Braids | Traditional Box Braids | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Knotless or box braid with curly human hair left loose along the braid | Braid fed in gradually with no knot at the root | Cornrowed or braided style with curly ends and pieces left out | Individual braid started with a knot at the scalp |
| Install time (full head) | 6-10 hours | 4-7 hours | 5-8 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Hair needed | 3-6 bundles human bulk hair (100g each) plus 4-8 packs synthetic braiding hair for the base | 5-8 packs synthetic braiding hair | 2-4 bundles human hair plus braiding hair | 6-8 packs synthetic braiding hair |
| Typical total cost | $400-$800 salon / $200-$400 DIY | $250-$500 salon / $60-$120 DIY | $300-$600 salon / $150-$300 DIY | $200-$400 salon / $50-$100 DIY |
| Maintenance level | High - curls need detangling and refreshing | Low | Medium | Low |
| How long it lasts | 4-8 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
| Tension on scalp | Low at root, but curl weight adds pull | Lowest | Medium | Highest (knot at root) |
The short version: boho braids are the most expensive and the most maintenance of the four, because you're paying for human hair on top of braiding hair, and paying a stylist for the extra hours it takes to place every curl. What you get back is movement and a finish that reads as real hair from three feet away.
The difference people ask about most is goddess braids vs. boho braids. Goddess braids concentrate the curly hair at the ends and in a few chosen spots. Boho braids distribute it along the entire length of every braid, so the curls start near the top of the shaft and continue all the way down. Boho uses roughly twice the human hair.
How Much Hair Do I Need for Boho Braids?
This is the number one question we get, and almost nobody online answers it with actual counts. You need two separate things: synthetic braiding hair for the braid itself, and human bulk hair for the curls.
Human bulk hair (the curly part)
Our bulk human braiding hair comes in 100 gram (3.5 oz) bundles. Use this chart as your starting point for a full head:
| Braid length | Small braids (60-90 braids) | Medium braids (40-60 braids) | Large / jumbo (20-40 braids) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14"-16" | 4-5 bundles | 3-4 bundles | 2-3 bundles |
| 18"-20" | 5-6 bundles | 4-5 bundles | 3-4 bundles |
| 22"-24" | 6-8 bundles | 5-6 bundles | 4-5 bundles |
| 26"-30" | 8-10 bundles | 6-8 bundles | 5-6 bundles |
Three rules that decide where you land in each range:
- Smaller braids eat more hair. More braids means more curl placements. Going from medium to small can add two full bundles.
- Longer braids eat more hair. A 24" braid needs curls covering roughly 50% more shaft than a 16" braid.
- Density is a choice. A "half boho" install, where curls only run the bottom two-thirds, cuts your bundle count by 1-2. A super-full look where curls start at the root adds 1-2.
Buy one extra bundle. Running out mid-install with three rows left is the single most common mistake we see, and matching a second batch later is never as clean as buying it all at once.
Synthetic braiding hair (the base)
You still need standard braiding hair for the braid itself. Plan on 4-8 packs depending on braid size and length: 4-5 packs for large braids, 6-8 for small or waist-length. Pre-stretched braiding hair saves you real time here.
Pre-made and crochet boho braids
If you want to skip the math entirely, Deep Wave Boho Box Braids come pre-twisted with human hair curls already woven in, at 20 crochet braids per ring. Plan on 4-6 rings for a full head. At $48 per ring and roughly two hours of install time, this is the cheapest and fastest route into the style by a wide margin. Our feather crochet human hair is the other shortcut: pre-separated 100% human hair strands with an invisible-string knotless design, sold in 16" and 20" at $68-$84.
The Best Hair for Boho Braids
Texture matters more than brand. These are the four that actually work:
- Deep wave - the default and our best seller. Tight enough to hold definition for weeks, loose enough to look natural. If you don't know what to pick, pick this.
- Water wave and ocean wave - looser, beachier, more movement. Reads more "vacation" than "glam." Slightly more prone to tangling at 24"+.
- Body wave and loose wave - the softest, most relaxed pattern. Best for people who want boho braids that look like their own blown-out hair.
- Kinky curly and afro kinky - the choice if your natural texture is 4b/4c and you want the curls to blend rather than contrast.
Human hair or synthetic for the curls? Human hair, if you can afford it. Synthetic boho hair tangles into felt within two weeks, can't be co-washed back to life, and can't be reused. Human bulk hair can be washed, conditioned, detangled, and reinstalled for a second or third style, which is why the real cost per wear is lower even though the sticker price is higher. Our bulk hair runs $59 at 16", $75 at 20", and $90 at 24".
Types of Boho Braids
Boho knotless braids
The most requested version, and the one behind most of the search volume. The braid is fed in gradually with no knot at the scalp, then curly hair is added along the shaft. Lowest tension of any boho variation, which makes it the safest option for fine hair or tender scalps.
Bohemian knotless braids
Same technique, different name. "Bohemian" and "boho" are used interchangeably by stylists and by clients. If a salon menu lists bohemian knotless braids, they mean boho knotless braids.
Boho box braids
Traditional box braids with a knot at the root, plus curls along the length. Faster to install than knotless and usually $50-$100 cheaper, but the root knot puts more tension on the follicle. Not the pick if your edges are already thin.
Boho locs and faux locs with curly ends
Wrapped faux locs with curly human hair left out at the ends and along the loc. Heavier than braids, and typically installed at 3-4 weeks shorter wear time because of that weight.
Boho bob braids
Chin- to shoulder-length boho braids. Uses 2-3 bundles instead of 5-6, installs in 4-6 hours instead of 8-10, and weighs far less on the scalp. The best entry point if you've never worn the style and don't want to commit $600 to finding out.
Boho Fulani braids
Fulani-style cornrow patterning across the crown, with boho braids hanging from the back and sides. Usually finished with beads or cuffs.
Boho French curl braids
Uses pre-curled French curl braiding hair for the loose sections instead of bulk human hair. Cheaper and faster, with a more uniform, doll-like curl. Less natural-looking than human hair, but a legitimate option at a third of the cost.
Boho crochet braids
Pre-made boho braids installed with a crochet hook into cornrows. Two hours instead of eight. The trade-off is less control over parting and density.
How Boho Braids Are Installed
The full-head process, start to finish:
- Prep, 1-2 days ahead. Clarify, deep condition, blow out. Braiding on dry, detangled, stretched hair is what prevents matting at the root later.
- Part and section. Most stylists work in 1/2" to 1" sections depending on braid size, from the nape forward.
- Feed in the braid. Start braiding with your natural hair, then feed in small pieces of braiding hair over the first inch or two so there's no knot.
- Add the curls. Once the braid is a few inches down, start weaving in small pieces of curly human hair at intervals. Most stylists place curls every 1-2 inches down the shaft. This is the step that takes the extra hours.
- Seal and finish. Seal the braid ends, then dip in hot water if you're using synthetic ends. Rinse the curls with cool water and apply a light leave-in to define them.
Expect 6-10 hours for a full head of medium boho knotless braids. Two stylists cuts it roughly in half. If that's not workable, the crochet route from our boho braids collection gets you there in under two hours.
How Long Do Boho Braids Last?
Four to eight weeks, and eight is the hard ceiling. Past eight weeks your new growth has enough length to start locking at the root, product buildup at the scalp is significant, and take-down gets aggressive enough to cause real breakage.
Boho braids age faster than plain knotless braids because the loose curls tangle. Realistically:
- Weeks 1-3: curls stay defined with minimal effort.
- Weeks 4-6: curls need a weekly refresh with a water-and-conditioner mix, and daily finger detangling.
- Weeks 7-8: most people either trim the curls back, pull the style up permanently, or take it down.
Maintenance and Washing
The curls and the braids need different treatment. Treat them as two separate jobs.
Washing
- Wash every 2-3 weeks. More often causes frizz at the root; less often causes buildup and itch.
- Dilute a sulfate-free shampoo with water in an applicator bottle and apply it directly to the scalp, not the length.
- Massage with fingertips only, never nails. Rinse thoroughly, pressing water down the braids rather than scrubbing.
- Condition the curly sections only. Conditioner at the root loosens braids.
- Dry completely. Damp braids left overnight are how mildew smell starts. Blot with a microfiber towel, then sit under a hooded dryer on cool or air dry for several hours.
Keeping the curls alive
- Mist nightly with a 3:1 water-to-conditioner mix in a spray bottle. This is the single highest-impact habit.
- Finger detangle from the ends up, never root down.
- Use a light mousse or curl cream to re-clump definition. Skip heavy oils and butters, which weigh curls down and attract lint.
- Braid the curly sections into two or three large plaits before bed, then wrap with a silk or satin scarf and cover with a bonnet.
Scalp care
- Apply a lightweight scalp oil to the parts 2-3 times a week.
- Use a witch hazel or tea tree scalp spray for itch instead of scratching.
- Skip the edge control for the first week. Let the perimeter recover.
Are Boho Braids Bad for Your Hair?
Boho braids are a protective style, and installed correctly they do what protective styles are supposed to do: reduce daily manipulation, shield the ends from friction and weather, hold moisture in, and let you retain length. That's the upside, and it's real.
The damage risk is also real, and it comes from four specific things.
1. Tension
The leading cause of traction alopecia. If your braids are so tight you have bumps along the parts, a headache, or a pulling sensation at your temples, that is not "settling in" - that is your follicle being pulled. Speak up during the install, not after. A braid that hurts on day one will hurt for six weeks. Knotless installs help significantly, which is why boho knotless is the version we recommend for anyone with a history of thinning.
2. Weight
This is the risk specific to boho braids. You're adding several hundred grams of human hair on top of the braiding hair. Waist-length boho braids with 8 bundles are heavy, and that weight pulls at the root all day. If your hair is fine or your density is low, choose a shorter length or larger braids rather than accepting the weight.
3. Buildup
Six weeks of oils, sprays, sweat, and dry shampoo with no proper wash clogs follicles and causes flaking and itch. The itch causes scratching, and the scratching causes breakage at the part lines. Wash every 2-3 weeks.
4. Take-down
More damage happens in the take-down than the install. The correct method:
- Cut the braid off well below your natural hair line. Don't guess - cut low, then unravel up.
- Saturate each braid with conditioner or detangling spray before unraveling. Dry take-downs rip.
- Unravel one braid at a time, from the bottom up, with your fingers.
- Finger detangle the shed hair loose before combing anything. Six weeks of shed hair is normal - you shed 50-100 strands a day and none of it has been able to fall out.
- Clarify, deep condition, and give your hair at least a week of rest before the next protective style.
Also: your edges are not braiding hair. Ask your stylist to leave the perimeter out or braid it loosely. Nothing is worth your hairline.
What Do Boho Braids Cost?
Salon
Labor for a full head of boho knotless braids runs $250-$600 in most US metros, with major markets on the higher end and waist-length or micro-sized installs above that. Most salons charge $50-$150 more for boho than for plain knotless, because it's 2-4 extra hours of work. Some shops include hair, most don't. Ask before you book, because "does that include hair" is a $300 question.
DIY
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 4-5 bundles human bulk hair (20") | $300-$375 |
| 6 packs pre-stretched braiding hair | $18-$40 |
| Mousse, leave-in, edge control, rat tail comb, clips | $30-$50 |
| Total, first install | $350-$465 |
The number that changes the math: human bulk hair is reusable. Wash it, condition it, and it comes back for a second and often a third install. Amortized over two styles, your hair cost drops to roughly $175-$190 per install. Synthetic boho hair is a one-and-done purchase every single time.
The budget route
Pre-made crochet boho braids: 5 rings at $48 is $240 in hair, and installs in about two hours. If you're testing whether you even like the style before spending $600, start here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are boho braids?
Boho braids are knotless or box braids with loose, curly human hair left out along the length of each braid, creating a soft, undone look. They're also called bohemian braids or boho knotless braids.
How much hair do I need for boho braids?
For a full head of medium-sized braids, plan on 3-4 bundles of 100g human bulk hair at 16", 4-5 bundles at 20", and 5-6 bundles at 24", plus 4-8 packs of synthetic braiding hair for the base. Buy one extra bundle.
What's the difference between goddess braids and boho braids?
Goddess braids place curly hair mainly at the ends and in select spots. Boho braids distribute curls along the entire length of every braid. Boho uses roughly twice as much human hair and takes 2-3 more hours to install.
What hair is recommended for boho braids?
100% human bulk hair in a deep wave texture is the standard recommendation. Water wave, ocean wave, body wave, and kinky curly all work. Human hair holds curl definition for weeks and can be washed and reused; synthetic boho hair typically mats within two weeks.
How long do boho braids last?
Four to eight weeks. Eight weeks is the maximum - past that, new growth begins locking at the root and take-down risks breakage. The curls themselves usually need a refresh or trim by week five.
How long does it take to install boho braids?
Six to ten hours for a full head with one stylist, depending on braid size and length. Two stylists roughly halves that. Pre-made crochet boho braids install in about two hours.
Can you wash boho braids?
Yes, and you should - every two to three weeks. Use diluted sulfate-free shampoo applied to the scalp with an applicator bottle, condition only the curly sections, and dry completely to avoid mildew.
Are boho braids bad for your hair?
Not inherently. They're a protective style that reduces manipulation and helps with length retention. Damage comes from excessive tension, the added weight of long installs, product buildup from skipped washes, and rushed take-downs - all four are avoidable.
Do boho braids damage your edges?
Only if the perimeter is braided too tightly or included in heavy braids. Ask your stylist to leave your edges out or braid them loosely, and choose knotless over box-braid roots.
Can you do boho braids on short hair?
Yes. You need roughly 2-3 inches of natural hair to hold a braid. Below that, crochet boho braids installed onto cornrows are the better option.
Can you reuse boho braiding hair?
Human bulk hair, yes - wash, condition, detangle, and it's good for a second or third install. Synthetic boho hair, no.
Where to Get the Hair
We stock everything this guide covers. Shop bulk human braiding hair in deep wave, water wave, ocean wave, body wave, and kinky curly at 16", 20", and 24". For the fast route, browse pre-made boho braids or feather crochet human hair. Everything is available online and in-store at our Atlanta, Smyrna, and Tucker locations - and if you're standing in front of the shelf unsure how many bundles to grab, ask. That's what we're there for.
