Design by Sarah Olivieri Beauty Hairstyles, Cuts & Color Trends Micro Braids Are Summer’s Hottest Hair Trend Micro Braids Are Summer’s Hottest Hair Trend From Zoë Kravitz to the Obamas, tons of celebrities are opting for the versatile look right now
Along with shorter cuts that make it easy to keep the hair off your neck during any record-setting heatwave, braided styles , including knotless, cornrows, and more, are often the unsung hero of summer beauty. And for several years in a row, boho braids, a protective style that incorporates loose strands of wavy hair throughout box braids for the perfect undone finish, have reigned supreme—until recently. While Bazaar editors anticipate the mermaid-inspired Boho style will sustain its popularity for seasons to come, micro braids have officially emerged as the latest It look of the season.
The micro style is exactly what it sounds like: ultra-fine braids tightly woven at the roots, which are typically lighter and less noticeable than traditional box braids, and often less curly than boho ones. And since these braids typically can take anywhere from eight to 15 hours to install thanks to their petite sizing, and require less hair for each braid, they’re also known to be extremely long-lasting. Certain celebrities have championed the style for years, but even long-standing fans are adding their own take on the look. We’ve spotted Zoë Kravitz wearing a few wispy forehead tendrils with her micro braids for extra personalization, while stars like Malia Obama and Keke Palmer are opting for shades of red for their final looks.
If you’re interested in trying the micro braids trend this summer but don’t necessarily have all day to devote to getting them done, we hear you. To get the look in nearly half the time, many beauty devotees, including Naked Beauty host and Refinery 29 chief content officer Brooke DeVard, are making the process easier by first crocheting or installing a sew-in weave—typically with human hair— and a section of “leave-out” (or a portion of your natural hair that you plan to style separately). This leave-out is later used to anchor a cluster of feed-in micro braids that provide the illusion of more braids featured throughout the hair.
Regardless of the method you choose, micro braids deserve a place in your summer beauty rotation. While the versatile protective style and buzzy hair trend is ideal for the season, it truly works year-round and provides a more modern, elevated take on the iconic box braid.
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