Forget regular box braids, passion plaits are the summer' 22 go-to hairstyle!

Naturalistas, permed princesses, and protective style mavens can rejoice now that there's a fun new style shaking up the hair game. Passion plaits — the coiled and carefree love child born from the union of larger knotless braids and Senegalese twists — are among the summer's trendiest hairstyles.

Chances are you've seen the boho-chic style, while watching your fave YouTuber or while scrolling through the @moneekstyles Instagram page. Their chief hairstylist Monique Donaldson has been showcasing her handiwork from as far back as October 2021, though she has seen an increase in popularity this summer.

How long will they last?

Passion braids can last for between two to four weeks depending on how well you care for them. "Because of the nature of the style, it still maintains its appearance even after it gets a little worn out," Donaldson explained.

When caring for passion braids, it's important to note that less is more!

We get it, you'll want to show off different styles (half-up/half-down, ponytails, high buns, etc). While this is understandable, Allen recommends minimising styling to one or two styles per week, as she says putting passion plaits into different styles every day can cause them to lose their neatness and look untidy easily.

Oil and massage your scalp once a week with your favourite hair oil to prevent flaking and itchiness.

If you find your braids are beginning to look dull, spruce them up with a little mousse and oil sheen.

Never go to bed without wrapping your braids in a satin scarf or covering them in a satin bonnet.

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