It’s National Braiders Day, aka the perfect time to celebrate the beauty, brilliance, and history behind every single braid, twist, knot, and cornrow you’ve ever rocked.
Whether you sat between your mama’s knees getting your hair braided for school or you just dropped a deposit to your go-to stylist for your next vacation style, one thing is true: braiding is a sacred art form, and the hands that braid are nothing short of magic.
But National Braiders Day isn’t just about fresh styles and edge control (although we’re here for that too!). It’s about respecting the culture, recognizing the craft and skill of professional braiders, and advocating for their rights, because yes, even in 2025, they’re still facing challenges like unfair regulations and under-appreciation.
Here at The Original UnBraider, we’re all about honoring every part of the braid journey—especially the take-down. So today, we’re turning up the love for braiders, giving flowers to their craft, and shining a spotlight on how braid removal (yes, that dreaded part!) can be just as empowering with the right tool
Why National Braiders Day Matters
🖤 Celebration: Braiders are artists. They sculpt, design, and create beauty with their hands. This day gives us a chance to uplift the braiding community and appreciate the talent it takes to slay a style that might take 6–10 hours (and 3 snacks) to finish.
📚 Reflection: Braids have deep roots—from Fulani braids to Ghana weaving to lemonade braids made iconic by Beyoncé. Our ancestors used braids to signify tribes, social status, even escape routes. This isn’t just hair. It’s heritage.
📣 Advocacy: In many states, braiders still face outdated licensing rules and red tape. National Braiders Day is also a platform to speak out, advocate for fair treatment, and make sure their work is seen as the respected profession it truly is.
🎓 Education: Whether you grew up getting braided every Sunday on the porch or just discovered knotless braids on TikTok, this day is about learning and sharing knowledge. Let’s keep these stories alive.
Braids Then and Now: A History Lesson with a Twist
Braiding has roots going back over 5,000 years to Africa, where styles represented everything from tribe and age to social status and spirituality. For example, the Himba people of Namibia still wear braided styles that tell a story of their identity. During slavery, cornrows were even used as escape maps or to hide rice seeds for survival, talk about innovation under pressure.
Fast forward to today: braids are on red carpets, on runways, and in campaign ads for luxury fashion houses. From Beyoncé’s beaded braids in “Black Is King” to Zendaya’s waist-length locs at the Oscars, braided styles continue to be a love letter to our roots, with a modern remix.
The Real Talk: How to Take Braids Out Without the Headache
Okay, back to the moment we all dread: takedown day. Braids have done their job protecting your hair, but now you’re staring at new growth and a tangled mess, wondering if you really have the strength.
Enter: The Original UnBraider.
Designed specifically with braid removal in mind, The UnBraider takes what used to be an hours-long process and makes it so much easier. It’s a 2-in-1 comb that gently detangles and unbraids at the same time, ideal for those long box braids or chunky twists. Plus, it’s perfect for avoiding unnecessary breakage when your hair is most fragile.
Top Tips for Takedown Day:
Start with Moisture: Use an oil-based spray or leave-in conditioner to soften buildup at the roots and glide through tangles. Think of it like pre-poo for your takedown.
Use The UnBraider: Section your hair, start from the bottom, and let the tool do the work. It’s like magic—without the pain.
Don’t Rush: Put on a good playlist (we made you one, keep reading), binge a show, and make it a vibe. Self-care doesn’t have to be all face masks and candles.
Transform your Takedowns with the Original UnBraider, Shop Now!
Let’s Give Flowers: Braiders We Love
Behind every braid style is someone putting in work. Here are just a few of the incredible creatives shaping braid culture today:
Mia (@miaonthehair): DMV-based braid artist and educator. Known for merging luxury haircare with protective styling, Mia’s freestyle stitch work and knotless braids are a masterclass in texture and finesse. Her styles are protective and beautiful and deeply intentional.
Stasha Harris (@magicfingersstudio): The GOAT of precision parts and stitch braids. Her signature look is art.
Nikki Nelms (@nikkinelms): Known as “The Hair MacGyver,” she’s behind Solange’s and Janelle Monáe’s next-level styles.
Kim Kimble (@kimblehaircare): From Beyoncé tours to film sets, her work blends old-school technique with Hollywood glam.
If you have a go-to braider in your city tag them, repost them, and pay them their worth. This is their day, too.
Braided & UnBothered is the soundtrack for every braid moment
Getting your braids installed or taking them down? You’re gonna need the right soundtrack. We curated a playlist full of R&B, Afrobeats, soul, and hip-hop perfect for setting the vibe whether you're starting fresh or wrapping up.
🎧 Click here to listen to our Braided & Unbothered Playlist on Spotify.
From SZA to Mary J. Blige to Missy, it's got the energy you need to keep going even when your arms are tired and you’re down to that one last braid in the back.
Don’t Forget to Share
Show us your braid takedown transformation using #UnBraiderBraidDay and tag us @The_UnBraider. We want to see your before-and-after glow, your fave styles, and your go-to braiders.
Until then hydrate, detangle, and protect those edges. Happy National Braiders Day, sis! 💛
