Nigerian-American engineer Yinka Ogunbiyi has shared a new demonstration of HaloBraid, a device designed to help professional hairstylists finish individual braids faster while retaining control over the hairstyle.
The demonstration has drawn attention to the company’s attempt to automate part of a service that can require hours of repetitive hand movements. HaloBraid says its device can finish individual braids up to five times faster than manual braiding.
That claim concerns the completion of individual braids, rather than an entire salon appointment. The company’s own guidance says the total time saved depends on the style, braid size and the way a stylist incorporates the machine into their work.
The process begins with a professional sectioning the hair and starting each braid by hand. The stylist determines its size and pattern before guiding it into the device, which continues the braid.
According to HaloBraid’s description, air lifts the hair into braiding channels. The device then follows the form established by the stylist and releases the completed braid.
The company presents the technology as an assistant to trained professionals. It does not perform the whole appointment independently, and the stylist remains responsible for preparing the hair, designing the style and starting each braid.
The device also finishes one braid at a time. Its advertised applications include individual box braids and knotless braids, across sizes from micro to extra large.
HaloBraid’s published guidance identifies several limits. It is not designed for cornrows or other styles braided directly along the scalp, and it does not currently add braiding hair automatically.
Stylists can use extensions, but must introduce them through their own technique. For goddess or boho styles, the company advises crocheting additional hair into the style after the braids have been completed.
Ogunbiyi’s interest in the problem developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she spent four days braiding her own hair. She subsequently worked with co-founder David Afolabi on the technology.
The company announced a $7 million seed funding round led by Seven Seven Six, the investment firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, with participation from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital. The funding announcement preceded the latest demonstration.
The company has described reducing the repetitive workload on stylists as a central aim. Its proposed business model links payments to appointments where the device is used, rather than requiring participating salons to purchase it outright.
Full pricing is to be shared during onboarding. The company says introduction will take place in phases with selected professional stylists and salons, through its Founding Stylist programme.
Training and support are included in that programme. HaloBraid says early partners may receive hands-on instruction, with further educational resources and assistance as availability expands.
The latest demonstration does not establish universal commercial availability or independently verified time savings across different salons. The company’s performance and comfort statements remain its own claims.
HaloBraid is initially intended for professional use. Salon owners and stylists can apply for early access through the company’s website, while service and maintenance terms are to be provided during onboarding.
Demonstration photographs: Instagram / @halo.braid, via Punch.
