Hair Braiding Hasn’t Evolved In Centuries—HaloBraid Is Changing That

For centuries, braids have protected the health of Black hair while serving as a vehicle for creativity, self-expression, and livelihood. But that legacy has long come with a time-consuming reality: The braiding process can be brutal. Clients and stylists alike can spend hours—sometimes days—plaiting hair from root to tip.

For generations, that lengthy process has simply been accepted as part of the experience. But Yinka Ogunbiyi wondered if there could be a better way. As HaloBraid’s co-founder, she’s reimagining the centuries-old technique with an automated hair-braiding device designed to make the process faster and more efficient.

Ahead, we sat down with Ogunbiyi for an intimate discussion about the device, what the technology means for stylists, and what it will bring to the hair industry.

Why HaloBraid Exists

To understand HaloBraid’s inception, you need to know a little about Ogunbiyi first. She’s a Harvard-trained biomechanical engineer who describes herself as an inventor. And while hair wasn’t her first industry, it has always been a fundamental part of her identity—especially braids. “I’ve worn them pretty much my whole life, and my mom learned to braid when she was just 12 years old,” she shares.

Her reverence for the process and its place in Black culture is clear. With HaloBraid, she’s not trying to eliminate that. Instead, she’s created a tool to help stylists cut down braiding time. “Black women spend billions of hours on braids, but what would it mean to get those hours back? That’s where the idea began,” she shares.

It came to her during the pandemic while attempting to braid her own hair. “I realized that hair braiding is mechanically repetitive,” she says. Like sewing, braiding is monotonous and physically demanding. HaloBraid was created to alleviate that stress, just like a sewing machine. During her research, Ogunbiyi interviewed braiders and found that most shared the same issue: the physical toll of braid installations. Body aches, back pain, and even more critical conditions such as early arthritis and carpal tunnel were all common.  Even worse? That strain is only amplified over the years.

How HaloBraid Works

It’s no surprise that HaloBraid’s announcement has shaken the internet. But the brand has been tight-lipped about the device’s mechanisms. Ogunbiyi shared a basic understanding of how it’s designed to work. Each braid will be hand-started by the stylist to maintain the artistry, but the device will finish it. She explains that because HaloBraid can braid up to five times faster than human hands, it could cut appointment times in half.

“With Halo, stylists will no longer be limited to how much labor they can perform, and they can use that time to invest in their business in other ways,” she says. For many braiders, that tradeoff is a no-brainer. As a tool in their kit, it allows them to create their clients’ dream hairstyles while protecting their hands and bodies.

What HaloBraid Means for Braiders 

While robotic technology isn’t always viewed as beneficial, HaloBraid is one of the exceptions. From the start, the device was designed as a tool for stylists and an asset for salons. “The stylist is still an integral part of the braiding process,” Ogunbiyi says. “They’re still there creating and conceptualizing beautiful braid patterns. We’re just helping to speed up and hopefully make their work more consistent.”

Celebrity stylist and textured hair artist Vernon François agrees. As the brand’s first creative director, he notes that the technology puts the stylist’s well-being first. “Braiding is one of our oldest and most enduring hair practices, yet the physical and mental demands placed upon braiders have largely been accepted as part of the work,” he says. “HaloBraid has the potential to reduce repetitive strain and time without compromising the quality of the braid.”

What HaloBraid Means for Clients

For Ogunbiyi, saving time is only part of HaloBraid’s potential. She believes quicker installations could also encourage clients to refresh their styles more regularly and create more opportunities for stylists to prioritize hair health throughout the process. “We surveyed over 2,000 people and found that 95% would get their rebraided if the process were faster,” says Ogunbiyi.

With less time devoted solely to installation, stylists can spend more of the appointment educating clients on best practices for caring for their hair and scalp before, during, and after wearing braids. “It means that we can begin properly nurturing a category that has historically been underserved,” François says. “Yes, it saves time, but it also supports the health and longevity of the client’s hair.”

That focus on an historically underserved category is central to HaloBraid’s larger mission. “We’re putting a focus on people with Afro and textured hair, who spend the most time and money on their beauty practices,” Ogunbiyi says. HaloBraid’s debut marks one of the rare moments when technological innovation has been developed specifically with the needs and experiences of this community at the forefront.

What’s Next for HaloBraid?

The future of HaloBraid is bright. At the end of October, the brand officially comes to market with a live-action demo day. The device will also be released to salons who’ve been patiently waitlisted throughout the process. According to Ogunbiyi, that list includes over 7,000 locations worldwide. “It’s remarkable to know that HaloBraid will be in almost every continent and that everyone will have access to this experience,” she says. 

As for the history of braiding, well, that is slated to change too. “Braiding will always be at the forefront of innovation and craftsmanship,” François says. “It’s history and artistry rolled into one—the only difference is that it will now be assisted by technology smart enough to transform how we show up.”