I still remember sitting in a salon chair for almost two hours, trying to describe exactly what I wanted. I kept saying “boho but edgy” and my stylist kept nodding without really getting it. We finally pulled up a Pinterest board and worked from there. If you have ever been in that same situation — you know exactly what this style is in your head but cannot quite explain it — this article is for you.
Boho braids with shaved sides is one of those combinations that just works. The soft, undone, textured braids balance perfectly against the clean precision of shaved sides. It is structured and wild at the same time. And honestly, it photographs beautifully — which is probably why it keeps blowing up on Pinterest every single season.
Why This Combination Works
Boho braids on their own are romantic and earthy. Shaved sides on their own are sharp and intentional. Together they create a contrast that makes both elements look better. The shaved portion frames the braids on top, draws the eye upward, and adds a personality that neither style achieves alone. Think of it like pairing a flowy dress with chunky boots. The contrast is the whole point.
Here are 16 real ideas with styling tips and honest advice on who each look suits best.
1. Crown Boho Braid with Full Shaved Sides
A loose, relaxed crown braid sits on top with a few face-framing strands left out intentionally, while both sides are cleanly shaved all the way around. This is probably the most photographed version of this style for a reason — the contrast between the soft crown and bare sides is instantly striking. It carries that effortless festival energy without looking overdone.
Styling Tip: Use sea salt spray before braiding for natural texture. Braid loosely then pull the braid apart gently with your fingers to widen it. Leave wispy strands near your forehead on purpose — those loose pieces are what give this look its bohemian character.
Best for oval and heart-shaped faces. The crown adds height without adding width.
2. Goddess Box Braids with Temple Fade
Standard box braids get a boho upgrade when curly extension hair is incorporated mid-braid, creating wispy strands that peek out throughout the length. A clean temple fade on both sides adds a sharp modern finish. The result is structured roots with romantic, curly texture throughout.
Styling Tip: Ask your braider to feed curly hair in every few inches as they braid. After installation run your fingers along the braids — never a brush or you will frizz everything instantly. A tiny press of curl cream on the loose sections defines them without crunch.
Best for round faces. The vertical length of the braids creates an elongating effect that balances rounder face shapes.
3. Fulani-Inspired Braids with Side Shave
A center cornrow running straight back, face-framing braids on either side, and gold beads or threads woven throughout — all paired with a clean side shave. This is a modern take on a deeply traditional style and the pairing of cultural richness with a shaved side feels genuinely fresh and powerful.
Styling Tip: Gold or wooden beads on the face-framing braids are what complete this look. Add small gold hoops in your ears for extra effect. Ask your barber to etch a small geometric design into the shaved side — it pairs beautifully with the Fulani bead aesthetic.
Best for medium to long hair across all face shapes.
4. Dutch Braids with Hidden Undercut
Dutch braids run from front to back sitting on top of the hair, with a clean undercut hidden underneath. Wear the braids down for a polished everyday look and pin them up to reveal the undercut for evenings or weekends. It is essentially two completely different looks from one hairstyle.
Styling Tip: Use dry shampoo at the roots before braiding — it adds grip that helps braids hold all day. When pinning them up use decorative gold bobby pins to keep the boho aesthetic going even in the pinned version.
Best for people in professional settings who want the undercut look without showing it at work.
5. Knotless Boho Braids with High Fade
Knotless braids start flat against the scalp with no knot at the root, making them lighter and far gentler on edges than traditional box braids. Paired with a high fade on the sides the result is a clean sculptural silhouette that makes the braids look intentional and modern.
Styling Tip: Ask for small to medium sizing and have the ends dipped in hot water after installation to seal them and add a natural curl to the tips. Get the fade touched up every two to three weeks to keep it sharp.
Best for people with sensitive edges or fine hair. The knotless method puts significantly less tension on the hairline.
6. Boho Faux Locs with Shaved Sides
Faux locs with intentional imperfection — slightly uneven, with curly strands wrapped in and left hanging at intervals — paired with shaved sides. This look has a raw, earthy quality to it that feels deeply artistic. The shaved sides sharpen the silhouette and stop the locs from looking heavy or overwhelming.
Styling Tip: Go for butterfly locs specifically if you want the most boho texture — the distressed fluffy finish is built into the technique. Moisturize your natural hair well before installation and oil your scalp through the parts every few days to prevent dryness.
Best for medium to thick hair. Works beautifully on longer face shapes.
7. Feed-In Cornrows with Curly Boho Ends and Side Shave
Sleek feed-in cornrows along the scalp with loose curly ends left free — paired with a clean side shave. The contrast between the precise cornrow lines and the soft curly ends is what makes this look so visually interesting. The shaved sides show off the cornrow pattern near the temples beautifully.
Styling Tip: Ask your braider to leave three to four inches of hair at the ends loose or braided very lightly. Scrunch curl cream into the ends after installation to define the curl pattern. A satin bonnet every night will extend this style by weeks.
Best for people who love the precision of cornrows but want a softer romantic finish.
8. Half-Up Boho Braid with Shaved Undercut
The top half pulled into a loosely braided updo while the bottom half hangs free, with the shaved undercut visible at the nape and sides. It has that laid-back confidence that looks effortless but still completely put together.
Styling Tip: After braiding the top section pull the braid apart gently for extra width and a relaxed look. Leave a few strands loose at the front to frame your face. Light hold hairspray keeps everything in place without stiffness.
Best for square and oblong face shapes. The half-up style creates width at the crown while loose hair at the sides softens strong jawlines.
9. Micro Boho Braids with Shaved Sides
Extremely thin, lightweight braids worn loose and slightly undone — with some pulled back and others left hanging — combined with shaved sides. Up close the detail is genuinely impressive. Hundreds of tiny braids moving together create an effect that looks almost like a waterfall of texture.
Styling Tip: Micro braids take eight to twelve hours to install so prepare for a long salon day. Maintain them by applying lightweight oil directly to the scalp through the parts every few days. A satin bonnet every night is non-negotiable.
Best for fine to medium hair textures. The micro sizing complements finer hair without looking bulky.
10. Braided Mohawk with Shaved Sides
Dramatic braids running down the center of the head — whether cornrows leading into a ponytail or individual braids bunched together — with the sides completely shaved. This is not a subtle hairstyle and that is entirely the point. The boho texture in the braids softens what could otherwise feel aggressive and gives it a more artistic energy.
Styling Tip: Ask your stylist to make the braid ends fan out at the top for maximum volume. Gold hair cuffs placed along the braids add great detail. Keep the shaved sides razor sharp — this look only fully works when the sides are perfectly maintained.
Best for longer face shapes where the added height from the mohawk does not over-elongate.
11. Boho Space Buns with Shaved Sides
Two loose, slightly messy buns sitting high on either side of the head with tendrils and loose strands escaping from each, and the sides shaved cleanly beneath them. It is playful and bold at the same time — cute without being too sweet.
Styling Tip: Do not try to make the buns neat — messier is better here. Twist small sections of hair into mini braids before wrapping them into the bun for extra texture. Pull a few strands loose around your face. If your hair is shorter, clip-in pieces in the buns work perfectly.
Best for round faces. The two high points create visual height and help elongate rounder face shapes.
12. Natural Hair Twists with Shaved Sides
Natural hair styled in chunky loose twists or a braid-out on top — no extensions, no heat — with shaved or faded sides. This look celebrates natural texture in its most authentic form and the contrast with the shaved sides is powerful and beautiful.
Styling Tip: Do a braid-out the night before on freshly washed hair. Sleep in the braids with a satin bonnet. In the morning unravel carefully and use only your fingers to separate and fluff. A press of curl cream over the surface reduces frizz and adds definition.
Best for natural hair textures from 3C to 4C. The volume contrast against the shaved sides is absolutely striking.
13. Waterfall Braid with Side Shave
A waterfall braid runs horizontally across the head, dropping sections of hair through it as it goes, creating the illusion of hair cascading down. With a side shave on one side the braid is framed by clean scalp, making it the undeniable star of the look.
Styling Tip: Waterfall braids are tricky to do alone — book a salon appointment for this one. The side shave should be on the same side where the braid ends so they flow into each other naturally. Tiny flowers or small pearl pins woven into the braid add a beautiful romantic touch.
Best for medium to long hair. The braid needs enough length to show the waterfall effect clearly.
14. Curved Part Cornrows with Temple Shave
Cornrows done with curved or wavy parts instead of straight lines — creating geometric patterns across the scalp — with a clean temple shave revealing the design clearly. This is scalp artistry at its most impressive level.
Styling Tip: Find a braider who specifically posts pattern cornrow work on Instagram before booking. Search your city plus “pattern cornrows” to find the right person — this technique requires real skill and you want proof before sitting in their chair. The temple design can mirror the cornrow pattern for a cohesive finish.
Best for people who appreciate detailed artistry. Works on all hair lengths as long as there is enough to cornrow.
15. Loose Boho Braids with Accessories and Full Undercut
Multiple loose individual braids throughout the hair adorned with gold rings, shells, and colored threads — with a full undercut hidden beneath that reveals itself when the braids are gathered up. The accessories are what make this look truly unforgettable.
Styling Tip: Pick two or three accessory types maximum and use them consistently throughout — more than that looks cluttered. Gold rings, cowrie shells, and one color of thread is a perfect combination. Find hair jewelry on Etsy for the most unique options at reasonable prices.
Best for festivals and warm weather events. This style loves being outdoors and being photographed.
16. Braided Updo with Artistic Shaved Design
An elaborate braided updo — multiple braids twisted and pinned into a sculptural shape — while the shaved side features an artistic etched design such as a geometric pattern or floral motif. This is the most formal and elevated look on the entire list. It is sophisticated rebellion — regal enough for a wedding and edgy enough to be completely unforgettable.
Styling Tip: Book your barber and braider on the same day with the barber going first so the braider can work around the fresh design. Always bring a reference photo of the exact design you want — detailed etching requires precision and guessing never goes well.
Best for special occasions and anyone who wants genuine one-of-a-kind artistry.
How to Maintain These Styles
The shaved portion needs the most regular attention. Depending on how fast your hair grows plan for a touch-up every one to three weeks. A blurry undercut loses its impact fast — sharpness is what makes the contrast work.
For the braids sleep with a satin bonnet every single night. This one habit alone adds weeks to your style. Apply lightweight oil like jojoba or tea tree directly to the scalp through the parts every few days to prevent dryness and flaking. Avoid heavy creams on the braids themselves as they cause buildup that makes braids look dull over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is going too tight. Braids installed with too much tension cause pain immediately and can lead to traction alopecia over time. If it hurts during installation speak up — a good braider will adjust without issue.
Do not neglect the area where the shaved section meets the braids. That transition zone needs moisturizing regularly. And do not stretch these styles beyond their natural lifespan — most braided looks are at their best between four and eight weeks. Leaving them in too long causes matting at the root and makes removal much more damaging.
FAQ
How long does installation take? The shaving takes thirty to sixty minutes. Braiding ranges from three hours for simple styles to twelve hours for micro braids or detailed patterns. Plan your day and bring snacks.
Will shaving damage my hair? The shaved hair simply grows back. Make sure your barber uses clean sharp tools and applies a good aftershave balm to protect the skin afterward.
Can I do this on short hair? Yes for many versions. You need at least two to three inches on top for most braided styles though extensions can supplement shorter lengths in most techniques.
What does this cost in the USA? Expect anywhere from one hundred fifty to four hundred dollars in major cities for the full look. Simpler styles in smaller cities can run seventy-five to one hundred fifty dollars. Always tip your braider and barber separately.
What products should I use daily? A lightweight scalp oil, a satin bonnet for sleeping, and light hold edge control for the hairline. A spray bottle with water and a few drops of argan oil is perfect for daily refreshing between washes.
final thoughts
There is a reason this style keeps showing up on Pinterest boards and Instagram saves — it genuinely works for almost everyone willing to commit to it. The sixteen ideas here range from quiet and versatile to completely show-stopping, which means there is something for every personality and comfort level.
Find a skilled braider and a skilled barber who have done this combination before, bring your reference photos, and trust the process. In the right hands this is one of those hairstyles that makes people stop you just to ask where you got your hair done.
