We’ve all been there. Looking up inspiration on Pinterest, saving them and promising to style your braids this time. As the stylist is dipping your braids in the hot water, you’re thinking to yourself “this time will be different, I will style my hair, I’m not wearing it straight, I’m going to be THAT girl”. You even bought the extra-large silk scrunchies and the gold hair cuffs in anticipation.
Then Monday morning comes around and you press snooze twice, doomscroll on TikTok for “just one more minute” until you run out of time and run out the door with your braids down… again.
If you’re currently on Day 14 of the same middle part, consider this a gentle intervention. You don’t need an hour in front of the mirror to look like you actually tried, you just need a few “cheat codes.”
Instead of a long tutorial, I’m dropping the ultimate lookbook below. Whether you have a claw clip, a hair tie or just two spare minutes before you have to leave the house, these are the styles that will make people ask, “Wait, how did you do that?“ The best part is for most of them, you only need a hair tie. Just one and that’s it.
Braids Maintenance
Even the cutest style in the world won’t hit the same if your braids are screaming for help. “Lazy” styling is 10% effort and 90% maintenance. If you want these looks to last, you have to properly maintain your braids. Because I’m feeling generous, here are a few tips to doing that easily
- Bonnet Please!: If you are not wrapping your braids in a bonnet, they will get rough and frizzy very quickly. Invest in a big and good bonnet to protect your braids.
- Mousse: Hair mousse is your bestie. A quick layer of mousse and scarf can lay and tame every flyaway and make your braids look (almost) brand new.
- Oil and Hydrate Your Scalp: Yes oil and hydrate because they are two different things. A good moisturiser and scalp oil go a long way in keeping your scalp looking and feeling good.
Quick Cheat Sheet
| The Vibe | The Effort | The Tools Needed |
| Minnie-Mouse Bow | 2 Minutes | One Hair Tie |
| “I haven’t Slept” | 1 Minute | One Hair Tie |
| Office Chic | 1 Minute | One Hair Tie |
| Date Night | 5 Minutes | One Hair Tie and One Claw Clip |
| Everyday Look | 2 Minutes | One Hair Tie |
| Sporty Chic | 3 Minutes | Two Hair Ties |
Wrapping Up
To wrap this up (pun intended), remember you can be THAT girl. The goal isn’t to spend more time on your hair, it’s to make the time you do spend count. Pick one style from the video and try it tomorrow. Your braids (and your Pinterest board) will thank you.
Which look is your favourite? Drop it in the comments!
