When Monteria Johnson, also known as Tookie, posted her innovative Braided Baldie hairstyle, she did not expect it to go viral.
Summer is always the perfect time for stylists to premiere their best-braided designs, such as tribal braids and other protective styles like Bantu knots. Johnson has definitely left her mark this season by creating a viral hairdo that is now infiltrating salon suites everywhere.
Johnson didn’t even expect to become a hairstylist during her formative years of learning how to become a master braider many would come to know her as. Growing up in old-school style salons inspired her first business — Natural Hair Flows.
Her mission of joining the California Make-U and Hairstylist Guild led her on a journey of rebranding Natural Hair Flows into her current brand, Tookie Did It.
The Braided Baldies Goes Viral
Although Johnson’s brand was already popular, she only expected her viewers to see the Braided Baldie style and think it was up to par with her other works. However, the viral response she received helped her reflect on how she enjoys using social media as a tool to find inspiration and help inspire other stylists.
“We all get inspiration from somewhere,” Johnson said. “ If I can inspire other people to be more creative, then it’s just making the world better.”
Johnson’s first attempt at the style came after a client from Chicago requested freestyle design braids. During the pairs search for inspiration, they came across a beehive braid pattern, which is typically used for sew-ins. From there, Johnson’s creativity began to sore.
Image Source: @tookiedidit
“I was just thinking about the old school aspect of it and then also thinking about [creating] something new because everybody is wearing all the same styles,” Johnson said.
The following day, one of her regulars who saw the first attempt requested the same style with the addition of a heart design. Johnson agreed and committed to creating one continuous braid full of design. Her second attempt at the style is ultimately what went viral and thus the ‘Braided Baldie’ was born.
Her first two Braided Baldhead videos garnered over 4 million views on TikTok and over 200K likes on Instagram combined.
“I wasn’t trying to invent anything because the style, in my opinion, had already been done multiple times,” Johnson said. “ I just put my spin on it.”
Those interested in trying the Braided Baldie style can expect their tresses to be tucked away into one continuous braid that curves and contorts into hearts, crosses, stars, zig-zags or all of those designs all at once. The end of the braid is usually tucked into another, creating a ‘bald’ appearance.
How to Wear The Braided Baldie
Johnson wants people who are apprehensive about trying this style to remember that confidence is key. She believes if you have confidence anything can look good and this one key factor is what contributes to a lot of styles becoming “trendy.”
“It’s because of the energy and the vibe. That’s why I believe it’s really just your attitude and confidence that give you the ability to rock anything,” Johnson said.
She believes this same confidence is what played a role in propelling the Braided Baldie style to viral heights. In her video, Johnson can be heard hyping her design and sending positive affirmations into the universe, claiming that this style would be the style of the summer.
“I definitely feel like this is going to be this summer’s hairstyle,” Johnson said in her viral TikTok video. “This is 2024, all summer, it doesn’t matter how you get it braided, but the braided bald head needs to be the style for the summer.”
The design savvy stylist asserts hair is a means of expression and Black women everywhere should be able to turn heads in this style if they choose. Johnson also wants to challenge other stylist to be creative and set new trends so they don’t get bored in their craft.
“You can take what I’ve done, recreate it and make it your own,” Johnson said.
Tookie’s Tips for Stylists
Here are Tookie’s four guiding principles for stylist who want to add the Braided Baldie to their services:
- Start the creative process early — ask clients questions about designs they like and dislike
- Draw or visualize designs before braiding — having a reference point will help stylist determine where braids will begin or end
- Be intentional with your design — there should be no straight lines. Usually when braids start on one side of the head, it will end on the other.
- Consistency is crucial — keep the same thickness throughout all braids.
