Although talking about outfits is definitely more my comfort zone, hairstyles are also an important extension of putting together a look. I saw images of knotless box braids all over Instagram accompanied by claims that they were painless and lightweight, a welcome alternative to standard box braids. Since I spend time at the beach every summer and hate dealing with my hair after swimming, I decided to take the plunge and try out this new trend. This was my first time ever getting braids, so I had lots of questions, and now that I have had them for almost a month I feel that I can give some info and tips if this is a style that you’re interested in.
What are Knotless Braids?
Knotless braids don’t have a bulge of hair at the scalp that is then woven with your real hair. Instead, the hair is seamlessly woven with your natural hair so that it lays flat to your scalp.
How much does this style cost?
I paid $200 for this style before adding a tip.
What are the size options?
The woman who braided my hair offered small, medium, and large sizes. I decided to go with the medium size. To be honest, I was shocked at how small the medium braids were! I’m kinda dreading the removal process in a few weeks, so I’ll let you all know how that goes when I get there!
What type and how much hair was used?
I used RUWA pre-stretched braiding hair. I was told to buy three packs (which included 2 bundles each), and 2.5 packs were used…I had a bundle left over. The length that I purchased was 30 inches, but that was longer than I wanted, so the stylist cut the ends shorter for me.
How long did the style take to install?
It took 4 hours! Lots of Grey’s Anatomy was watched during the process.
Are knotless braids really painless?
Since I have never had any other type of braids before, I can’t compare the pain level. For me, the installation of the braids was not painful at all. The stylist was very gentle when blowing out my hair, sectioning my hair, and braiding it. The only area that was a bit painful was when she was braiding my hairline. After the process was finished, my scalp wasn’t sore, but the braids definitely felt tight. I didn’t have a tension headache after installation, which I hear is common with standard box braids. I would say it took about 2 weeks before they loosened up enough to really feel comfortable. Sleeping took a while to get use to because of the amount of hair.
Are knotless braids lightweight?
Again, I can’t compare to standard box braids, but for me, someone who is use to a light-weight fluffy ‘fro, they are heavy! For example, when putting them in a bun or ponytail I can definitely feel their weight.
How do you maintain your braids and how long are you planning to keep them?
Since I got these braids with the intention of wearing them to the beach, I knew they would be getting wet. After swimming I rinsed them thoroughly and applied conditioner. I have also washed my scalp to get rid of product buildup, and I must say that they have held up very well! I oil my scalp every few days and use a leave in conditioner after washing. At night I wrap my head with a silk scarf before going to bed. I am planning to remove them after 6 weeks.
Are you happy with this style? Would you get knotless braids again?
Overall, I think knotless braids are a great summer style! They are easy to maintain, and it has been such a relief to not have to worry about doing my hair for the past few weeks. It took me a while to get use to their weight and the feeling of synthetic hair (it’s itchy and not the most pleasant feeling on your back and arms), but the pros definitely outweigh the cons for me. I definitely see this style being a summer staple!
UPDATE:
Hello, again! I wanted to give a quick update on the removal process. While I initially wanted to keep the braids in for 6 weeks, I decided to take them out after only 4 weeks. I worked on taking them down off and on for about 6 hours or so…it was a long process! Here are some tips to help you if you’re new to removing braids like I was:
- Find a comfortable place to take down the braids. I watched a few movies during the process which helped to keep me entertained.
- Use the end of a rat-tail comb to help loosen the braids.
- Be prepared for lots of shedding and some tangles.
- Take your time when taking out the braids. Do not start this process if you are short on time. The biggest tangles I encountered were when I was tired and tried to rush the process. If you’re feeling fatigued take a break.
Have you tried knotless braids? What do you think about them?
XOXO, Persia
