6 Tips for Mixing and Matching Colors in Braid Extensions

Ugh, can we just take a moment of silence for every time we've dealt with tragic post-festival hair? You know the vibe - your strands are drier than the Sahara, full of knots and mystery substances. Not cute.

That's exactly what went down after my first Bonnaroo a few years back. I had visions of rocking those effortless beachy waves for a week straight, but Mother Nature had other plans. By day 3, my hair was a matted, frizzy nightmare. I looked less "festival princess" and more "scarecrow after an epic beat down."

That's when my bestie and savior hairstylist Tasha came to the rescue with a brilliant idea - colored braid extensions! One look at her fresh knotless box braids with bright pops of neon green and I was sold. It was the glow-up my hair desperately needed.

If you too have emerged from a fest looking like you got jumped by The Dementor's Makeover Crew, allow me to reintroduce you to the magic of colored braids. This look has been everywhere lately, from Coi Leray's fiery red tips to Saweetie's ombre masterpiece. It's the perfect way to revive your strands while also expressing your personality through color.

But listen up, sis - rocking this trend ain't as easy as grabbing a box of Splat hair dye and going ham. There's an art to mixing and matching shades to create a look that's vibrant, multidimensional, and most importantly - doesn't make you look like a toddler's fingerpainting project.

That's why I'm dropping all my tips and tricks for constructing a true hair masterpiece. This is your step-by-step guide to achieving festival nirvana hair, straight from your resident braid connoisseur. You can thank me later when you're being chased by paparazzi thinking you're Normani's long lost sister.

Tip #1: Have a Base Plan

The key to laying a solid braid foundation? Decide on a "base" shade that will be the primary color woven throughout. This helps create a nice cohesive blend between your natural hairs and the extensions. It could be your current haircolor, or one that complements your skin's undertones. Warm honeys and chestnuts look stunning on deeper complexions, while ashy taupes and cool cocoas flatter paler tones. Whatever you choose, make sure it's a shade you feel confident rocking all over.  

Tip #2: Consider Your Color Palette

Once you've nailed down your base, it's time to pick accent colors that will make your braids truly pop. The cardinal rule? Stick to a maximum of 3-4 shades in the same color family to avoid looking like a kaleidoscope exploded on your head. I'm talking about variations of the same hue like cherry red, burgundy, and auburn. Or maybe you want to go for an icy blonde situation with platinums, pearls, and ashey greys. Choosing an analogous color story helps prevent clashing while still giving great depth and dimension.

That said, don't be afraid to go bold! One of the hottest trends right now is incorporating unexpected pops of bright or neon shades throughout darker base braids. I'm talking Lizzo's signature green roots or Coi Leray's punchy red tips. A few well-placed vibrant strands can totally elevate your whole look.

Tip #3: Play with Placement

The placement of your colors is just as important as the shades themselves. An easy way to add instant dimension? Focus lighter, brighter hues towards your face while keeping deeper roots and undersections. This creates a gorgeous radiant glow that flatters all skin tones. You can also get creative by placing pops of bright or pastel just towards the ends. It's a subtle way to rock the trend without being too overpowering.

Another major vibe these days is getting chunky, face-framing streaks of color right at the front - think Saweetie's electric teal pieces or Jayda Cheaves' hot pink accents. It's a statement way to make your braids the first thing people see.

Tip #4: Consider Your Style

Before booking that braid appointment, get clear on what specific braid style you want to rock. Jumbo box braids? Lemonade braids? Passion twists? The type of braid can impact how colors show up. Thicker, chunkier styles allow bright accents to really pop, while thinner, detailed braids may require a subtler, more tonal approach.  

For example, you don't want to overcrowd a look with too many shades if you're doing intricate lemonade braids. But a few well-placed bright strands can add a nice pop. Meanwhile, a Poetic Justice-esque jumbo braid could be the perfect canvas for rocking the full Lisa Frank fantasy wig fantasy.

Tip #5: Get Inspo and Consult Your Stylist

While you def want to go into your appointment with a clear vision, don't be afraid to also get input from your braid stylist! They're the experts and may have suggestions for color combos and patterns that could take your look to the next level.

Come prepared with inspirational photos and ideas - pull from celebs, Instagram badies, or just colors that vibe with your personal style and aesthetic. Then have an open dialogue with your stylist about achieving that vision. They know what tones blend well together and which ones may clash against your base or skin tone. With their expertise plus your creativity, you'll co-create a custom braid rainbow that turns heads.

Tip #6: Maintain That Mane

Okay, so you just left the salon looking like a technicolor queen...now what? Colored braids require a little extra TLC to keep them fresh and vibrant. I'm talkin' a good moisturizing routine with braids sprays, foams, and dry oils/serums. They'll not only hydrate your braids, but also help seal in those bright hues so colors don't bleed or become dull too fast. Aim to refresh them every week or two.

You'll also want to wrap or cover your hair at night with a silk or satin scarf/bonnet. This protects your delicate ends and prevents frizz, so you wake up with that sleek, defined braid pattern every morning.

At the end of the day, the most important tip for rocking colored braids is simple: Confidence is key! Don't be afraid to get creative and keep experimenting until you find that perfect, vibrant, head-turning combination that makes you feel unstoppable. After all, great hair has a funny way of inspiring an even greater attitude. So own it, queen!