Braids are a signature look for those seeking a protective style, but also they evolved into a staple vacation necessity. Many women choose braids for their vacation look, due to their low-maintenance yet fashionable appeal. Among the most trending styles, Bora Bora braids are a chic and tropical-inspired look that’s taking social media by storm.

While these braids embody the carefree spirit of vacation, you don’t need to go to Bora Bora to rock this look.

What Are Bora Bora Braids?

Bora Bora braids are the perfect vacation hairstyle. Inspired by the tropical beauty and laid-back vibes of Bora Bora, these braids feature a mix of small, medium or large-sized braids. They’re also paired with loose curls or waves and adorned with beads, shells or colorful accessories. Essentially, they’re boho braids with some island pizazz. The idea is to create a natural, free-flowing look that matches the sandy beaches and azure waters of tropical locales. 

How to Do Bora Bora Braids

Bora Bora braids require patience and the right materials, but the end result is a stunning, vacation-ready look. 

Materials Needed

  • Braiding Hair: For longer, fuller braids, you can use synthetic braiding hair in your desired color. If you’re working with your natural hair, you can skip this step.
  • Accessories: Wooden, glass, or metal beads are perfect for adding a boho touch. You can use any size or color that suits your aesthetic. Small seashells or cowrie shells are essential for a truly bohemian, tropical vibe. These shells are typically threaded onto the ends of your braids for added texture.
  • Edge Control: To smooth your edges and keep your hairline looking polished, use a light edge control gel or pomade.
  • Rat-Tail Comb: This is essential for sectioning your hair evenly and creating neat, uniform braids.
  • Rubber Bands or Hair Ties: These are used to secure the end of each braid once you’ve finished.
  • Leave-In Conditioner: To keep your braids looking shiny and moisturized, use a light hair oil or leave-in conditioner.

Bora Bora Braids Tutorial

  1. Prep Your Hair: Start with clean, damp hair. Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair moisturizer to your hair to make it more manageable and prevent dryness. This step is crucial for keeping the braids hydrated and smooth throughout the process.
  2. Section Your Hair: Use the rat-tail comb to section your hair into small, medium, or large sections depending on the type of braids you prefer. For a boho style, it’s common to have slightly irregular, messy sections that don’t need to be perfectly straight or symmetrical.
  3. Begin Braiding: Take a small section of your natural hair (or braiding hair) and start braiding from the root down to the end. You can use the classic three-strand braid or experiment with a fishtail or Dutch braid for extra texture. Keep the braids a bit loose to give them a relaxed, undone look.
  4. Add Beads and Shells: Once you’ve braided to your desired length, it’s time to add accessories. Thread small beads and shells onto the ends of your braids for a laid-back beach vibe. If you’re using shells, make sure they’re small enough to fit onto the braid without overwhelming it.
  5. Secure the Ends: Once you’ve added all your accessories, secure the end of each braid with a small rubber band or hair tie. You can wrap a thread around the end of the braid for an even more bohemian touch.
  6. Apply Edge Control and Final Touches: Smooth any flyaways around your hairline with edge control gel or pomade to keep your edges looking sleek and neat. You can add a little bit of hair oil to the length of your braids to give them shine and prevent them from looking dry.