How to do Passion Braids

By Tosanwunmi Tarre
passion braids hairstyle

There is a new hairstyle in town and it is called passion braids. However, these are not your regular braids as they are sure to draw people's attention to you when they are installed on your hair. So, if you would like to switch up your regular braids look by giving passion braids a try, then stay with me. In this article, I will be discussing everything you need to know about these braids.

What are Passion Braids?

Passion braids, also known as knotless butterfly braids, are a type of box braids that are created by using two synthetic extension bundles: freetress pre-stretched waterwave braiding hair and freetress waterwave hair. When installed, these bundles give your braids a curly texture and feel like silk.

How Long Will My Passion Braids Last?

Passion braids can last for between one month to two months, depending on how well you care for them. Now, how do you care for passion braids when installed on your natural hair?

How to Care for Passion Braids

When caring for passion braids, it's important to mention that less is more:

1. Avoid Over-styling

I get it: you have a unique type of braids installed and you want to show off the different styles (ponytails, high buns, crown look, pigtails, etc) you can manipulate them into. While this is good, you should minimize styling to one or two styles per week. This is because putting your passion braids into different styles every day can cause them to lose their neatness and get rough easily. Furthermore, this can cause the hairline of your own natural hair to weaken, leading to breakage or even hair loss.

2. Spray Some Hair Shine

If your braids are beginning to look dull, you can bring them back to life by simply applying mousse or using some hair spray.

How Do You Care for Your Natural Hair in Passion Braids? Step-by-Step Process

Although passion braids are a protective style meant to help you minimize manipulation on your natural hair, you should still care for your natural hair when they are in the braids:

Step 1: Oil Your Scalp

olive oil

Oil and massage your scalp once a week with your favorite hair oil as this will prevent dryness and itchiness.

Step 2: Moisturize

moisturizing cream

Use a moisturizer to moisturize the roots and other visible parts of your natural hair. I advise you to do this once in three days and with just a little amount of moisturizer. This is because if you moisturize your natural hair daily or use too much moisturizer, it could lead to build-ups and flakes in your hair and scalp.

Step 3: Wash Your Hair

shampoo

In the third or fourth week of carrying these braids (because then your hair will have gotten dirty from dust, dirt, sweat, and even product build-up), dip a finger-sized cotton ball in your shampoo and rub it on your scalp to clean it.

After shampooing, repeat the process of using a cotton ball but this time, dip it in your water to rinse off the shampoo. Next, condition the roots and other visible parts of your natural hair using the cotton bud method. After that, clean out the conditioner using cotton bud and water. You can now pat your hair dry with a clean t-shirt. Finally, oil your scalp and moisturize your natural hair.

Note: Make sure all the products you use are natural hair products. Unnatural products with ingredients like mineral oil, lanolin, sulfates, etc, can strip your hair of its natural moisture. Furthermore, they can and cause dryness, itching, among others.

Step 4: Use a Satin Scarf

reversible satin bonnet

Never go to bed without wrapping your braids in a satin scarf or covering them in a satin bonnet. Most of our pillowcases are made of cotton materials and their rough texture can create friction, thus stripping your natural hair of its moisture as you toss and turn in your sleep. This can lead to dryness which is not a good state for your natural hair to be in. However, a satin or silk scarf/bonnet will help your hair retain moisture.

Now, how do you do passion braids?

How to Do Passion Braids

There are two ways to do this. First of all, you can go to a professional hair salon to have your passion braids installed. The second option is to DIY at home. However, I must warn you that DIY can be a lot more stressful, take hours for you to finish and cause you to have cramps in your arms.

If you wish to DIY, then watch this video tutorial by Ambre Renee: