Synthetic Boho Braids: What to Know Before Getting Them + How to Maintain Them
Synthetic boho braids give you the soft, full, curly look of boho braids without the higher cost of human hair. But those loose curls need a little more care than standard knotless braids.
If you’re considering synthetic boho braids, here’s what to expect from your appointment, how to minimise tangling, how to refresh your curls and the products that can make maintenance much easier.
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.Be Prepared for a Long Appointment
For small-medium boho braids, an installation can take around 9–10 hours.
The exact time will depend on your braid size, finished length, the density of your natural hair and how full you want the loose curls to be.
The smaller and longer the braids, the more time you should expect to spend in the chair.
Fab Tip
Treat your appointment like a full-day appointment.
Eat beforehand and bring food, water, your charger and anything else you need to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Start Protecting Your Synthetic Boho Curls From Day One
The best time to start caring for synthetic boho curls is before they begin to tangle.
From the first day, get into the habit of gently separating curls that begin catching together and protecting the style while you sleep.
Fresh curls usually need very little product. Focus first on reducing friction, keeping the curls separated and avoiding unnecessary product buildup.
You do not need to heavily detangle freshly installed curls. In the first few days, simply use your fingers to gently separate any pieces that begin catching together.
As the style gets older, you can gradually introduce a light refresh routine when the curls actually need it.
Separate. Detangle. Protect. Refresh.
During the First Week
Keep things simple.
Protect the hair every night and gently separate any curls that begin wrapping around neighbouring curls or braids.
You may not need additional product at all if the style still feels soft and looks defined.
Synthetic curls change with wear. Over time, you may notice the curls becoming softer, fluffier, less defined or slightly less full than they were on the first day.
Regular maintenance can slow down tangling, but synthetic hair will naturally evolve as the style is worn.
Nighttime protection makes a significant difference.
Before sleeping, divide your hair into a few manageable sections and loosely braid or twist them and secure underneath the bonnet. This helps reduce the amount of loose synthetic hair rubbing against itself overnight.
Finish with a large satin bonnet or satin scarf.
From Around Week Two
This is often when you may start noticing more frizz, tangling or dryness in the loose synthetic curls.
Lightly mist the hair with water and add a small amount of detangler or leave in conditioner if you need extra slip. Work in sections and gently separate the curls with your fingers before small tangles develop into larger ones.
If the curls need more shine, add a light oil sheen sparingly.
Pay attention to how your particular synthetic fibre responds and add product only when the curls actually need it.
As the Style Gets Older
Do not allow small tangles to develop into larger matted sections.
Spend a few minutes separating the curls whenever you notice them catching together. If you are already sitting down in the evening, this can be a good time to work through the hair gently with your fingers before putting it away for the night.
If the curls become frizzy, you can introduce a small amount of leave in conditioner, oil sheen or another lightweight finishing product as needed.
Your scalp may also need cleansing as the weeks progress. If you notice product buildup, sweat, itching or visible flakes, cleanse the scalp gently with shampoo and make sure the scalp, your natural hair and the braids dry thoroughly afterwards.
Fab Tip
Use a lightweight detangling product to help the synthetic strands slide apart without unnecessarily pulling at the braids.
Keep Your Synthetic Boho Routine Light
Synthetic boho curls usually respond best to a light maintenance routine. Because synthetic fibres behave differently from human hair, adding more product does not always produce a better result.
Start with the basics:
Lightly mist the curls with water when they need refreshing
Use a small amount of detangler or leave in conditioner when you need extra slip
Gently separate the curls with your fingers before small tangles become larger ones
Add a light oil sheen if the hair needs extra shine
Loosely twist or braid the hair at night to reduce friction
What About Mousse?
Mousse is optional, not essential.
Some synthetic curls respond well to a small amount of lightweight mousse for smoothing frizz and flyaways. Others can become crunchy, sticky or more prone to tangling once mousse dries or product begins to build up.
If you want to use mousse, test a very small amount on one section first. Allow it to dry completely and see how the synthetic fibre responds before using it throughout your hair.
The goal is to use only what your curls actually need. Start light, keep the curls separated and add products gradually rather than layering several products at once.
My Synthetic Boho Braid Care Essentials
Detangler
For gently separating synthetic curls and working through developing tangles.
Braid Mousse
For smoothing and refreshing synthetic boho curls.
Large Satin Bonnet
For protecting long, full boho styles overnight and reducing friction.
Your Scalp Still Needs Care
Wearing braids doesn't mean ignoring your scalp.
Sweat, styling products and natural oils can accumulate over time. If your scalp needs cleansing, concentrate primarily on the roots rather than unnecessarily saturating the entire length of your braids.
Gently cleanse the scalp, rinse thoroughly and avoid excessive rubbing or manipulation.
If you're experiencing persistent itching, excessive flaking, irritation or discomfort, don't automatically assume your scalp simply needs more oil. There can be several causes of scalp irritation.
Refreshing Your Natural Hair Between Washes
Your natural hair may need a little attention between wash days, especially as the braids get older.
You do not need to soak the entire style or apply multiple products. A light refresher can help keep the accessible natural hair feeling comfortable without creating unnecessary buildup around the roots.
For a Light Refresh: Camille Rose Rosemary Water
If you simply want to freshen the natural hair and roots, Camille Rose Rosemary Water is a good place to start.
Reviewers frequently mention its lightweight feel, and several specifically use it on braids, twists or between wash days. It is a useful option when you want to add a little moisture without heavily coating the hair.
Lightly mist the accessible natural hair and roots, then allow the hair to dry before covering or styling.
Best for: a light refresh between washes.
When You Need More Slip: Camille Rose Honey Dew Moisture Refresher
If your natural hair feels drier or needs more slip, Camille Rose Honey Dew Moisture Refresher offers a little more conditioning than a simple water based spray.
Reviewers particularly mention its detangling ability, softness and non sticky feel, although experiences with how moisturising it feels do vary.
Use it sparingly on the accessible natural hair rather than saturating the entire braid style.
Best for: natural hair that needs a little more softness, slip or conditioning between washes.
When It Is Time to Properly Cleanse Your Scalp
Refreshing between washes is useful, but it does not replace shampoo.
As the weeks go on, sweat, styling products and natural oils can build up around the roots. If your scalp starts to feel dirty, itchy or coated, it is time for a proper cleanse.
For braided styles, I recommend focusing shampoo primarily on the scalp and accessible natural hair, rather than aggressively scrubbing or saturating the loose synthetic curls.
A Cleanser I Like for Textured Hair
Camille Rose Rosemary Oil Strengthening Hair & Scalp Cleanser
This cleanser is designed for textured hair and stood out to me because reviewers repeatedly describe it as cleansing effectively without leaving the hair feeling heavily stripped.
Customers mention:
a cleaner, less itchy scalp
softer feeling hair after washing
effective removal of buildup or coating
good results on curls, coils and 4B hair
a relatively mild scent
One thing to know before using it is that it may not create a large amount of foam or lather. That does not necessarily mean the hair is not being cleansed.
Best for: a proper scalp and natural hair cleanse when your braids have been in for a while and refreshing alone is no longer enough.
Watch How to Wash Braids Without Taking Them Down
This step by step video shows how to wash and refresh knotless boho braids, then keep them looking fresh with a simple nighttime maintenance routine.
It is a useful visual if you want to see the full process before washing your own braids.
Fab Tip
When washing braids, focus on cleansing the scalp gently with the pads of your fingers rather than scratching or aggressively rubbing the roots.
Rinse thoroughly and make sure your scalp, natural hair and braided sections dry completely afterwards.
Be Careful With Heat When Drying
For synthetic boho curls, avoid concentrated high heat. Air drying is ideal where practical, or use cool to moderate airflow. You can refresh your curls with water, wash your braids and enjoy activities such as swimming. What matters is making sure your scalp, natural hair and braids dry thoroughly afterwards.
The bigger concern with synthetic boho curls is excessive heat.
Synthetic fibres can react differently to high temperatures, and concentrated heat can alter the curl pattern, make some fibres feel rougher or encourage tangling and matting.
Where possible, allow the style to air dry. If you need to speed up the process, use cool or moderate airflow rather than holding high heat directly against the loose synthetic curls.
Fab Tip
After washing or swimming, gently squeeze out excess water rather than aggressively rubbing the braids with a towel.
Make sure the roots and natural hair underneath are fully dry before putting the style into a bonnet or wearing it up for a long period.
Be Extremely Careful When Trimming Tangled Ends
Sometimes a synthetic curl develops a badly tangled or knotted end that cannot realistically be separated.
Minor trimming can help tidy the appearance of the style, but avoid cutting anywhere near the braid unless you are completely certain where your natural hair ends.
This is particularly important during takedown too. Give yourself plenty of time and always cut well below the length of your natural hair.
Synthetic or Human Hair Boho Braids?
Synthetic boho hair
More affordable
Can create a beautiful, full boho finish
Requires more curl maintenance
More prone to tangling and matting with wear
Human hair boho curls
Higher initial investment on quality human hair bundles
Softer, more natural movement
Different maintenance requirements
Generally easier to refresh and redefine
Want the Bora Bora Look?
Bora Bora Boho Braids are available at Fab Xtensions Braiding Studio in Dublin.
Loved for its full, curl-heavy finish, Bora Bora braids give you the volume and movement of long curly hair with the beauty of braids underneath. They’re soft, effortless and perfect for vacations, birthdays, graduation, wedding guest hairstyles and many other occasions.