How Long Do Goddess Braids Last?
Agreeing on a specific definition for goddess braids is almost impossible, but we’re trying. While some people refer to it as a more feminine version of box braids, others say it’s basically thicker cornrows. Regardless of what you think it to be, how long do goddess braids last exactly?
Goddess braids are glorified knotless braids, so you should expect them to last around six weeks or so, with adequate maintenance. Realistically, you can carry the braids for as long as you can endure them since the look is the single most important factor that should decide whether or not you should take your hair apart.
In this article, I’ll take some time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about goddess braids, especially in terms of how much they last. Also, you’ll learn some hacks to keep your goddess braids going for the longest time without frizz or breakage.
How Long Do Goddess Braids Last?
Since there are two definitions of box braids flying around the internet, it’s crucial to differentiate between them and state how much each of the two lasts. Starting from what you most likely believe to be goddess braids, how long do knotless goddess box braids last?
The knotless goddess box braids are simply the same as knotless box braids, only that it feels more feminine. Since there is no objective measure for hair feminineness (aren’t all female hair feminine?) we can safely assume that any kind of knotless braid can be referred to as goddess braids.
Going by that description, goddess braids should last on you for about six to eight weeks before you’ll have to take them apart to install something else. With maintenance, you can even keep the hair for longer, which is something we’ve seen stylists do a bit too often. In short, you can keep wearing your goddess braids as long as it keeps looking good on you.
How Do You Keep Goddess Braids Nice?
Maintaining goddess braids is the key to changing it from a hairstyle that lasts for six weeks to one that lasts for two months or more. Being such a popular hairstyle, there are numerous guides on the internet detailing how you can keep your goddess braids looking nice, and for extended periods.
For one, prepping your hair before jumping into the installation process is a no-brainer. Not only will that make it easier to grip the hair and make the braids, but it will also help the braids hold together better, locking them in for a long period before you’ll have to take them apart.
Prepping typically involves shampooing, moisturizing, and conditioning the hair before starting the process. While it may be mildly time-consuming, the time spent is worth the eventual gains, as it will definitely help your braids last a lot longer.
Also, hydrating your scalp using essential oils is another hack that’s often underused with hairstyles like the goddess braid. Oils like grapeseed oil and sweet almond oil are great for your scalp when you have knotless braids in, as they help eliminate the normal scalp itchiness or dryness.
Finally, protecting your hair when you go to sleep is an underrated hack for keeping your goddess braids or any other kind of braids lasting longer. Wearing a silk or satin scarf when going to sleep will be sufficient, but changing your pillows to better materials like silk is also an excellent idea.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Goddess Braids?
Given the popularity of goddess braids, you should be able to get the hairstyle at any salon. But, hairdressers don’t work for free, and there are different price tags on different styles. So, how much does it cost to get goddess braids exactly?
That should depend on a variety of factors that may massively increase the price. For one, how full do you want the hair to be, and by implication, how many packs of hair do you need to buy? In regular cases, around five packs of synthetic braiding hair should be sufficient, while you may need up to seven for a fuller look. Braiding hair costs money, and that money only adds to the price.
Also, the average charge of a hairstylist at your location will influence how much you’ll end up paying for a head of goddess braids. You can work around that by installing your hair yourself, but you’re missing out on the convenience and expertise of using a professional.
Generally, you should expect to spend around $150 to $250 installing goddess braids on natural hair. Unless you’re making the installation yourself, it shouldn’t get much more expensive or cheaper than the provided range.
Are Goddess Braids Hard to Take Care Of?
Goddess braids aren’t unlike most other braids you see out there. If you deem braids to be generally hard to take care of, then sure, that generalization will apply to goddess braids too, but if you think braids aren’t hard to take care of, then goddess braids aren’t either!
However, you shouldn’t mistake the preceding paragraph to mean goddess braids are the perfect and flawless hairstyle. There are many drawbacks of installing the hairstyle, some of which you may face yourself as you carry the braids, but drawbacks are common across every hairstyle in the world.
For one, goddess braids may have an unnecessarily long installation, no thanks to the fact that it has to be tiny box braids. Without adding significantly to how long the hair will last, goddess braids take ages to install.
It would be pretty understandable if it was only about the time, but it isn’t. In addition to the criminally long install time, the hair is also pretty difficult to install, even almost impossible to get right if you’re not a hairstylist. It also feels pretty heavy on your head, which is something you should consider if you consider hair weight.
If you can overlook those pretty common problems, goddess braids can actually make one of the best low-maintenance braids out there.
What’s the Difference Between Bohemian Braids and Goddess Braids?
Given the huge misrepresentation of goddess braids on social media and blogs across the internet, it seems somewhat understandable that people will come up with comparisons like this. But, is there really a difference between goddess braids and bohemian braids, and if there is, what are the differences exactly?
To answer the question, there’s no particular difference between goddess braids and bohemian braids; both terms refer to exactly the same hairstyle. Bohemian braids are curly box braids with loose ends, and that happens to be the same definition that applies to goddess braids too. Contrary to what you might have heard before now, goddess braids aren’t thick cornrows.
It’s also crucial to note that the term: ‘boho braids’ refers to the same hairstyle as bohemian braids and goddess braids. I know it’s a lot of names for the same hairstyle, but it is what it is.
Conclusion
The goddess braids hairstyle is one of the longer-lasting hairstyles in the protective category. If you already know how long box braids last, there’s little reason to reread this article, as it’s virtually the same thing as box braids.
