In a world where staying on trend often means expensive, or hard-to-find luxury, it’s refreshing to come upon a simple accessible style that works across all ages and every budget. Coi Leray braids are exactly that. A simple, beautiful individual braid style that won’t break the bank, or take up your whole weekend when it’s time to put them in or take them down.
In this post, we’ve covered everything you need to know about this flirty and feminine style that became popular one summer but is a winning look year-round.
What are Coi Leray Braids?
Coi Leray braids are another name for jumbo knotless braids with curled ends. But “Coi Leray Braids” is much easier to say when making an appointment or explaining to admirers exactly what style you are wearing.
Coi Leray braids became very popular in 2021 after the up-and-coming rap artist of the same name popularized the style while her hit song “No More Parties” climbed the charts and went platinum. Coi Leray’s thick curly braids elevate her look and quickly became her signature namesake style. Both her music and her hairstyle went viral in the summer of 2021.
What materials do I need for Coi Leray Braids?
In order to prepare for installing Coi Leray Braids you will need 3-6 packs of braiding hair, black rubber bands, Shine N Jam, mousse, edge control, a rat tail comb, perm rods, boiled water, and a wooden rack for braiding hair.
What type of braiding hair do I use for Coi Lerays?
Authorities on traditional Coi Lerays repeat time and time again that Xpression braiding hair is best suited for this style. But any pre-stretched Kanekalon braiding hair will do the trick. Use a wooden rack to organize your pre-sectioned braiding hair to make your braiding process much easier.
Can I do Coi Leray braids myself?
Yes! Gather all of your supplies (above) and pull apart small sections of braiding hair to arrange on the wooden rack. This prep work will help your braiding process move more quickly.
Begin with clean, moisturized blow-dried, or stretched hair. Part off hair down the middle, then pre-section into 8 broad box sections on the left and right for classic Coi Leray’s.
Smooth down flyaways with shine n jam before you begin each braid, feeding in the prepped braiding hair gradually for a smooth knotless braid appearance.
Tie off braids at the desired length with the rubber bands, leaving hair out below the rubber band. Repeat x16.
Wrap “leave-out” portions around perm rods, and dip them in boiled water. Keep a towel nearby to catch and cool steaming rods and hair.
Apply mousse to roots and down the length of braids and finish with edge control. Sculpt soft and sexy swoops along your hairline with an edge brush. Remove the perm rods and admire your handiwork.
How many braids are in Coi Leray braids?
Traditional Coi Lerays include 16 medium-length box braids. Knotless braid-in techniques help maintain flat, even, natural-looking plaits. Sections are pre-parted into 8 sections mirrored identically on each side of a middle part. Breaking with tradition, some varieties of Coi Lerays include as few as 6 to as many as 20+ braids with side parts, diagonals and zig zags.
How long does it take to install Coi Leray braids?
A professional stylist can complete Coi Lerays in roughly two hours. DIY installation time will vary dependent on prep work (is braiding hair pre-divided and ready to use?), skill (are you an experienced braider or a novice?), and precision/speed (are you quick and accurate when parting hair or a slow perfectionist?)
How long should Coi Leray braids last?
Since Coi Leray’s are jumbo-size braids they will tend to last only 3-5 weeks. Smaller braids are easier to keep for longer periods of time as the small tight sections stay neat and resist frizz. While Coi Leray’s only last about a month, they are quick and easy to install and take down which makes them a worthwhile investment of time and money.
How can I maintain my Coi Leray Braids?
Cover your braids in a satin wrap or bonnet at night to minimize frizz and avoid friction against cotton sheets and pillowcases. Clean your roots with dry shampoo and clear your scalp of sweat and dandruff with cotton balls and astringent or an apple cider vinegar cleanser as needed. Reapply styling mousse and edge control to lay down frizz. Keep a leave-in conditioner on hand to spray along the length of braids for added shine
Can I do Coi Leray braids on my natural hair?
Yes! Adding in braiding hair makes braids thicker and more consistent in size from root to tip. But if you have long thick hair you can create the same look with your natural hair without the added expense of bundles and installation fees. The process for creating the style is the same as above, just skip the knotless feed-in steps and no need to boil the perm rods at the end. Set your curly ends with perm rods and a firm hold styling mousse or gel, and lock in the style under a hooded dryer.
Are Coi Leray Braids a protective style?
Yes! Coi Leray braids are the perfect protective style. The large-sized braids place minimal tension on individual strands of hair, avoiding the risks of traction alopecia related to smaller, tighter braided styles. Adding in extra length also helps to protect your natural ends from breakage or damage from overhandling.
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1. Classic Coi Leray Braids for kids
The large plaited style has age-appropriate appeal for grown women and kids alike! Protect the style with a satin wrap or bonnet at night and enjoy a one-month break from the daily upkeep of your little ones’ hair.
2. Classic Coi Lerays with loose wave leave out
Create a softer leave-out wave pattern by skipping the perm rods. Dip ends into hot water briefly for soft loose waves. Dip longer for more curls
3. Coi Leray Braids with 1B Kanekalon hair
Use an edge control comb/brush combo for sweet feminine swooping baby hair
4. Extra long Coi Lerays with #2 braiding hair
Match your exposed roots to the fed-in hair for a seamless look
5. Mini Coi Leray braids
Shorten your installation time with shorter-length braids.
6. Copper Triangle-part Coi Leray Braids
Braid brown hair with copper braiding hair for an extra pop of color. Triangular pie-slice parts add a creative spin to the classic style.
7. Loose Chunky Coi Leray Braids
Adding extra hair with a loose braiding technique can lend to a more natural bohemian style.
8. Classic Coi Lerays with Bright Red Color Pop
Feed in a face-framing color pop for added style and visual interest
9. Medium-long Coi Leray Braids with blue mermaid ombre ends
Use at least three colors (dark brown, royal blue and powder blue) to create this ombre effect. Reserve the lightest color to be fed in near the end of the top layer of braids.
10. Two-tone Copper Coi Leray Braids with Large Adjustable braid cuffs in Gold
Gold accents pair nicely with the warm metallic bronze and copper braiding hair
11. Coi Leray braids with dark brown and mauve kanekalon
Experiment with unexpected colors. This soft feminine rosy-mauve color is perfect for Valentine’s season.
12. Coi Leray Braids with Red-brown color pop
This baseball jersey gold hoop combo is giving sexy tom-boy appeal
13. Classic Coi Leray Knotless braid with Hair Bobble accessory
Clear bobbles are a playful nod to childhood and a lot of fun
14. Medium-Thick #27/4 knotless curly braids
A bit of a departure from classic Coi Lerays, but still thicker and less time-consuming than small individuals
15. Small yellow-blonde Coi Lerays
Golden braids are perfect for summer.
16. Medium Coi Leray Braids with free-style parts
17. Medium-Large Red-Oranga (#350) Knotted Coi Leray Braids
While the knotless braiding technique is key to the classic Coi Leray look, old-school knotted box braiding can be used to achieve a similar look that requires less time and skill.
18. Short Coi Leray Braids with classic thick parts
Short, simple, and sweet
19. Coi Leray Braids with red color accent
This deep color is fall-style goals.
20. Side part Coi Leray Braids with royal blue ombre effect
Stand out at your sporting events with braids in your school colors.
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21. Coi Leray Braids with geometric freestyle parts
22. Medium thick Coi Leray Braids with a classic middle part
23. Part up/Part down Copper color Coi Leray Braids with precise spiraled ends
Change up your look with half up, high ponytails, or low ponytail twists.
24. Softly gathered Medium knotted dark and light brown individuals
25. Classic 16 plait Coi Leray Braids
26. Coi Leray Braids with fluffy curled ends
27. Coi Leray Braids with heavily styled edges
Edge control products like style factors extra strength edge booster plus an edge brush/comb combo are key to sculpting such precise and intricate edges
28. Coi Leray Braids with half blonde braid in
29. Classic Shoulder length Coi Leray Braids
30. Medium brick-lay knotless box braids with wavy dipped ends
This variation, a departure from the classic Coi Leray Braids, takes more time to install. But the smaller sections will ultimately last longer than the 16-plait version.
31. Extra long Coi Leray Braids with perm rod spiral ends
The extra length is extra feminine and fun.
32. Coi Leray Braids with triangle parts
33. Coi Leray Braids with #2 Brown hair
34. Medium Coi Leray Braids
35. Small long knotless box braid individuals in medium-dark brown
36. Banded Coi Leray Braids
For the novice braider, rubberband method braiding may prove to be an easier more accessible technique for adding in hair, especially when working with a restless child. Sections are banded tight against the root and braiding hair is pulled through the space between the band and the base of the section. Natural hair and braiding hair can then be braided down, or for a more finished look, additional hair can be added around the base to hide the rubber band.
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