Boho Knotless Braids

Boho braids are still reigning supreme, with Garvey calling the look the “It” protective style for winter 2025. “Classic boho braids take the crown this season,” she says. “It offers the best of both worlds: structured braids with flowy, curly, wavy tresses. It’s effortlessly versatile and easy to dress up or down for any occasion.”

For maintenance, Garvey recommends focusing on the scalp. Reach for a diluted shampoo applied through an applicator bottle, which lifts sweat, dirt, and product without “roughing up the braid pattern.” She adds, “Follow it with a gentle, braid-friendly conditioner, and use a hydrating refresher spray with aloe, glycerin, or lightweight humectants to keep the hair soft as it dries in the cold air.”

Warm-Toned Knotless Braids

This season, adding color is what’s making knotless braids feel especially fresh—think caramel, coffee, and copper, Garvey tells us. To keep your braids looking new, Garvey advises against “scratching or manipulating the scalp too much,” since that can lead to “more flakiness or even breakage at the roots.”

If you’re someone who struggles with dryness or flakes in cold weather, she recommends reaching for a hydrating scalp serum “in between washes to keep the scalp comfortable without clogging the follicles.”

Two-Strand Twists

Two-strand twists are basically two styles in one—you can wear them as is or unravel them for a soft, full twist-out. Tetteth tells us that two-strand twists are a client favorite for a few reasons, mainly because they “minimize tension and make it easier to access your scalp for moisture and cleansing.”

Lightweight Crochet Installs

Crochet installs involve attaching extensions to cornrowed hair using a crochet hook, looping the hair through to secure it at the base. The technique is great for creating braided, twisted, or curly looks with minimal tension. Tetteth recommends keeping it light with the amount of hair used, noting that “heavier or overly tight styles might look protective, but they can actually stress your roots and lead to breakage over time.”

If you’re opting for synthetic hair, she advises choosing pre-stretched options “unless otherwise requested by a stylist—they’re smoother, lighter, and less abrasive.”

Traditional Sew-Ins

The colder months are often dubbed “sew-in season” because you’re less likely to sweat under your install the way you might in warmer weather. Tetteh recommends using human hair for your sew-in. “Human hair extensions tend to hold moisture better and feel gentler on the scalp,” she says.

She does caution against keeping sewn styles in for too long, as that can “work against you rather than protecting your hair.” According to Tetteth, signs it’s time to take the style down include flaking, buildup along the parts, and odor. “Six to eight weeks is recommended for most braided or sewn styles,” she says, “and around four weeks for twist or natural styles.”

Stitch Braid Bun

Stitch braid buns are undeniably fierce. The style borders on sculptural, with braids gathered into a bun and defined stitch-like parts between each braid that create a neat, segmented look. With this style, however, Tetteth emphasizes being mindful of tension. “Make sure your edges are always excluded from the tension,” she says. “Avoid braiding baby hairs, and communicate with your stylist about keeping tension moderate. Also, add fewer extensions to the braids along the perimeter to keep the weight light.”

She adds that wearing a silk or satin scarf nightly is essential for protecting your hairline.

Beaded Cornrows

Cornrows adorned with beads, shells, or jewels are having a resurgence after dominating the ’90s and early 2000s. It’s an easy way to add personality to a classic protective style without altering the braid pattern itself.

Garvey says that with braided styles, it’s important to be intentional about adding moisture to avoid “disrupting” the look. “I usually recommend clients switch to a lighter but more frequent hydration routine,” she explains. “Instead of heavy oils or butters that can cause buildup in braids, a lightweight oil, water-based braid spray, or leave-in mist is ideal—something that can penetrate without sitting on top of the hair.”