The loose Bohemian braid has become a popular hairstyle for its effortless, free-spirited look. Whether you’re heading to a festival, brunch with friends, or simply want a laid-back style for the day, this braid adds a touch of boho-chic to your overall appearance. The great news? It’s easier than you think! This tutorial will guide you through each step to achieve the perfect loose Bohemian braid in a lazy, casual style.
What Is a Bohemian Braid?
A Bohemian braid combines messy and relaxed vibes with a beautiful, undone texture. Unlike traditional braids, it’s all about embracing loose ends, soft sections, and natural flow. This style doesn’t need to be perfect—it’s all about looking laid-back and carefree.
What You’ll Need:
- A comb or brush
- Texturizing spray or dry shampoo (for added volume)
- Hair elastics
- Hairpins (optional)
- Hairspray (optional)
Step 1: Prep Your Hair
Before starting your braid, prepping your hair is essential to give it the right texture and volume. Bohemian braids work best on slightly messy or textured hair.
How to prep:
Start with dry hair: It’s easier to work with dry hair when creating a loose braid.
Apply a texturizing spray or dry shampoo: This adds grit and volume, which helps the braid hold better and gives it a fuller, boho look. Spritz the product all over your hair, focusing on the roots and mid-lengths.
Gently brush through: Use a comb or your fingers to brush out any tangles and evenly distribute the product. Don’t worry about making your hair too smooth—messy is good!
Step 2: Create a Deep Side Part
A deep side part helps frame your face and adds to the overall bohemian feel of the hairstyle. This step adds a bit of asymmetry to your braid, making it more relaxed.
How to part your hair:
Use the handle of your comb: Starting at your forehead, drag the comb back in a straight line, creating a part that’s off to one side.
Flip your hair: Gently flip the larger section of hair over to the opposite side. The deeper your part, the more dramatic the braid will look.
Step 3: Start Your Braid from the Side
This is where you begin the actual braid. Unlike a traditional braid that might be tight and neat, the key to a Bohemian braid is to keep it loose and carefree.
How to start the braid:
Take a section of hair near your temple: Starting from the side with more hair, grab a medium-sized section of hair right next to your part.
Divide the section into three equal parts: These will be the strands of your braid.
Start braiding: Cross the right strand over the middle strand, then the left strand over the middle strand, like a basic three-strand braid. Keep the braid loose. If you pull too tightly, the braid will lose its relaxed, Boho vibe.
Step 4: Incorporate Hair from the Rest of Your Head
As you continue braiding, begin adding hair from the sides to incorporate more volume and make the braid look thicker and messier.
How to incorporate hair:
Add small sections as you go: Each time you cross a strand, grab a small piece of hair from the side and incorporate it into the braid. Continue this process, alternating sides as you move along.
Focus on keeping it loose: The key to a perfect Bohemian braid is not pulling the strands too tightly. Let some sections fall loose and create natural wisps along the way.
Step 5: Braid Towards the Nape of Your Neck
Once you’ve braided to the middle of your head and incorporated all the side sections, continue braiding the hair toward the back, following your hairline to the nape of your neck.
How to braid towards the nape:
Braid horizontally: Guide the braid diagonally down to the nape of your neck so that it looks slightly off-center. This gives the braid its signature boho vibe.
Keep braiding loosely: The looser, the better. Don’t worry if some pieces fall out or it looks imperfect—that’s exactly what you want for this style.
Step 6: Finish the Braid
Once you reach the nape of your neck, you can either stop the braid here or continue down the length of your hair. For a more relaxed, undone look, only braid part of the way down.
How to finish the braid:
Decide the length: If you want a longer braid, keep braiding down until you reach the end of your hair. Otherwise, stop midway.
Secure with an elastic: Tie the end of the braid with a small hair elastic. For a more casual look, use a clear elastic or one that matches your hair color.
Step 7: Pancake the Braid
To give your Bohemian braid that voluminous, messy look, you’ll want to pancake the braid. This means gently pulling on the strands of the braid to loosen and widen it.
How to pancake:
Start at the top: Working from the top of the braid, gently tug on the sides of each braid section. Pull them outward to make the braid look thicker and messier.
Be gentle: Don’t pull too hard, or the braid may unravel. You just want to create a fuller, softer look.
Step 8: Add Texture and Volume
This step is all about perfecting the undone look. A Bohemian braid isn’t meant to be perfect, so feel free to add some texture and volume for a more casual finish.
How to add texture:
Pull out face-framing strands: Gently tug a few pieces of hair free near your face to create soft, romantic tendrils.
Use your fingers to tease the crown: If you want a bit more volume at the top of your head, use your fingers to lightly tease the crown of your hair, giving it a more tousled appearance.
Set with hairspray: If you want to make sure the braid stays in place, use a light-hold hairspray to set the style without making it look too rigid.
Step 9: Optional: Add Accessories
To complete your Bohemian look, you can add accessories that complement the relaxed style of your braid. This will enhance the boho feel and make your braid even more unique.
What accessories to use:
Small flowers or foliage: Tuck in small flowers like baby’s breath or tiny sprigs of foliage for an extra boho vibe. You can also use faux flowers if you prefer.
Ribbons or beads: Tie a ribbon at the base of your braid or thread a few beads into the strands for a whimsical touch.
Boho-style hairpins: Decorative pins with gems, feathers, or shells can add a unique touch to your braid.
Conclusion: Embrace the Messy Look
The beauty of a loose Bohemian braid lies in its imperfection. Don’t be afraid of a few stray hairs or an uneven braid—it’s all part of the charm. This hairstyle is perfect for when you want a laid-back, chic look without spending hours in front of the mirror. It’s effortlessly stylish and pairs well with any bohemian outfit or casual occasion.
So, next time you’re in the mood for a lazy hairstyle that looks like you’ve put in a lot more effort than you actually have, give this loose Bohemian braid a try. Embrace the mess, play with texture, and enjoy the carefree beauty of this timeless braid.
By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to create a Bohemian braid that’s perfect for any casual day out or even a special event where you want to showcase your inner boho goddess.
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