The goddess braid upgrade that you need to know now, Bora Bora braids have taken the afro-textured haircare industry – and the internet – by storm.
Coined by the popular New Jersey hairstylist Omobolanle Ajao, the tongue-in-cheek name nods to the dreamy island destination in French Polynesia. Approved by Nigerian singers Tems and Ayra Starr – as well as popular beauty influencers Toni Bravo and Tobi Ojora – it’s no wonder that fans of the look have are prepared to board a plane for the perfect install.
So, what are these coveted curls? A looser, fluffier and lighter alternative to goddess braids, the Bora Bora version is achieved using human – rather than synthetic – hair extensions. The style was created to look like an effortless hybrid between wavy sew-ins and wispy pick-and-drop microbraids.
The braiding process doesn’t stray far from the classic knotless method – where small amounts of hair are gradually fed into the weft, rather than secured with a knot at the root. The key difference is that Bora Bora braids are typically plaited in line with the existing length of your natural hair, allowing the remainder of the curly human hair to billow outwards and form the bulk of the hairstyle.
The positive side-effect of switching up the braiding hair from synthetic to human is that it dramatically increases the longevity of the style. And gone are the days of begrudgingly lying your sun-lounger, enviously watching all those headed for a dip in the sea: thankfully, a little salt water can’t hurt this hairstyle.
Which is not to say this is a low-maintenance braided hairstyle, but the extra TLC is certainly worth it in the end. Always wrap your hair with a silk scarf every night before bed (no exceptions): this will not only help keep the curls locked in place, but also prevent unwanted flyaways or a dreaded unravelling braid. To keep the waves extra springy and voluminous, Toni Bravo suggests separating the hair into smaller sections and lightly spritzing it with a hair mist.
