Box braids are one of the most outstanding hairstyles worn across the world for decades. While the hairstyle takes its root in Africa, the sleek, elegant and glamorous hairdo is trending among Black-American women.
Albeit the process of box braids hairstyle is obviously common, there are new salient trends that make it worth documenting.
In this article, we share all the information from our research on box braids and everything you need to know.
Also Read: 21 Must-Know Hair Trends for Black Women That Will Be Big in 2023
What are box braids?
Box braids are three-stranded plaits with hair sectioned off mostly in shaped squares or boxes throughout the scalp and braided to whatever length you want it. Although box braids are plaited with a square of box parting pattern traditionally, many are exploring circle and triangular shapes too.
Extension hair such as natural hair or synthetic hair is used to install box braids to make it more beautiful, lasting and protective to your hair.
Box braids and several other braided styles originated in Africa as far back as 3500 B.C. Women in Africa box braid their hair to protect it from frequent manipulations, help it to grow and to ease the pain of combing natural, coyly hair.
There are many ways of braiding box braids, among them are Traditional and knotless braids.
Traditional box braids are created by wrapping extension hair around the base of the natural hair and creating a knot attachment at the scalp, while Knotless braids incorporate the extension into the base of the natural hair without a knot.
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Who are box braids for?
While box braids are commonly worn by women in Africa, the good news is anybody at all can wear the hairstyle. As long as you have hair about two inches long and want to box braid, you can get your hair braided.
A caution though, that box braids may not last long on Caucasian and Asian types of hair due to their slippery texture. Apart from that, you can box braid if your hair is straight, wavy, coyly, or curly.
What’s the process like?
Before you begin, understand and decide how you want your box braids to be. There are different sizes of box braids:
1. Small braids
Small box braids are often called micro braids and they’re itty bitty plaits. Some are as tiny as mouse wire and often take longer hours to finish.
2. Medium braids
Medium box braids are a bit bigger than small braids and are the most popular size request. It has about the same width as a pencil or pen. We can thank Poetic Justice star Janet Jackson, circa 1993 for introducing this style to Black-American women.
3. Large braids
Large braids are chunky and thick and make quite the statement. These plaits can have a width between the size of a Crayola marker and a jumbo Sharpie or even as big as a baby’s wrist size. Large braids take fewer hours to be done with.
Getting your hair ready…
Getting box braids takes time to make. You would also want to keep it for a few weeks to two months too, for the beauty and elegance. As such it requires that you keep your natural hair clean and moisturized before you braid. To do this please;
- Wash
- Shampoo
- Condition
- Dry
- Moisturize your hair.
It is recommended to opt for a hydrating oil that will quickly absorb into the hair and deliver a burst of moisture.
Getting your materials and tools ready
You’ll need;
- Braiding hair
- Scissors
- Styling gel
- Hair clips
- Shampoo to wash your natural hair
- Moisturizer for your natural hair
- Wide-tooth comb
- Rat tailed comb
- Edge control
- Hot water
- Two big towels
How to install box braids?
Depending on how big you want your box braids you’ll need about four to nine synthetic braiding hair. Now synthetic hair has rough ends, which aren’t easy to use in that state. So you have to feather the hair first.
You might have seen a hairstylist feathering synthetic hair for braids. The process is easy; here is a step by step guide below:
- Remove the hair from the package taking off the rubber bands holding the bottom and center of the hair together
- Hold the bottom of the hair in one of your hands facing upwards with your other hand, and pull up small sections of hair continually
- When done, hold the hair at the center and use your other hand to figure comb the hair
- You might also use a big wide comb to make it even
- Additionally, you can rub a little amount of moisturizer in your palm and apply it to synthetic hair. This would hold the hair together.
- Once the ends are feathered and combed, it’s ready for installation!
Installing your box braids- step by step guide
- To box braid your hair, divide it into four sections with your rat tail comb.
- Secure three sections with the hair clip or rubber band depending on what you have.
- Do take your time while parting your natural hair into smaller sections for the braids.
- The smaller size you part depends on how big or small you want your box braids.
- Your stylist should follow the guidance below to install your braids
- Rub some edge control on your first section.
- Grab smaller braiding hair and hold it at the base of your natural hair.
- Using your natural hair as one of the three braiding sections, begin to three-strand braid, looping braiding hair around your natural hair and then continue weaving.
- Continue braiding the hair down.
- Add more synthetic hair depending on how long you want your box braids.
- When you get to where the extension ends, Cut off any scraggly ends with scissors for a clean look.
- Repeat the process all over your head.
- Shape the ends of your hair with hair scissors
Making box braids relax with hot water setting
After braiding your box braids, you’ll notice it is rigid. This somehow adds to the pain felt on the scalp. To make the hair relaxed and flexible so you can swing your head however you want, you need a hot water setting of the synthetic braids.
Hot water setting makes the box braids relax and softer, making you show up in poise.
To relax your box braids using hot water;
- Use scissors to trim all fly-away edges of each braid·
- Put water to a boil using a boiling kettle·
- That should take about 5-7 minutes·
- When the hot water is ready, pour it into a cylinder-shaped a container, about 10 to 12 inches long
- Sit back and relax backward in a chair, with your face facing slightly upward
- Wrap a large cotton towel or washcloth around your neck from behind, as you do in the salon·
- Your stylist will keep the box braids in hot water from behind, leaving it to settle within a minute or two·
- Dry hair with a towel
- Style as desired
- You can use styling gel to style the edges of your hair
- There you have your relaxed box braids!
How long do box braids last?
After going through all the trouble of installing box braids, you would definitely want to make the style last.
Box braids can last a maximum of ten weeks if the hairline and back of the neck are redone at the six-week mark. Some people can keep box braids for as long as three months. However long you decide to keep it, make sure it doesn’t exceed three months as it will result in mating, inching, natural hair breakage and smell.
You should spray your box braids with spritzed moisturizing oil at least three to five times a week.
Use the tips below to help you properly maintain your braids for weeks or a few months:
1. Wrap them up at night with a silk/satin bonnet or scarf.
For maximum protection, use a hair net on your box braids after scarfing. This helps to minimize frizz and extend the life of the style. Going to bed without scarfing your box braids makes it dull after a few weeks.
2. Moisturize your scalp with oil.
If you plan on wearing your box braids for longer than a month or so, you may notice that your scalp gets dry or itchy. Use a light oil to hydrate your scalp whenever necessary. Olive oil, sweet almost oil, or lavender oil are excellent for braids.
3. Avoid Swimming pool
If you cannot stay away from swimming for the time being while having box braids, make
sure to dry your hair after with a hand dryer. Leaving it to dry naturally takes longer and may smell.
How to unplait box braids?
After rocking your box braids for a few weeks, it’s time to take them off. Taking out your braids is just as important as the installation.
You want to make sure you’re not doing damage to your hair when taking out the extension. Shedding will be normal because each strand of hair has a lifecycle and some of those hairs will reach theirs while still in braids, however, you can reduce breakage and extreme shedding by following a few important rules.
Don’t rush to take the braids out, make sure you slowly unravel and pull apart the braid. Unplait the braids with only your hands and no product for the first round. For the second round, it is recommended to use a wide-tooth comb while using a rich, intensive, detangling conditioner. This removes knots and buildup from dry, tangled hair.
If you hit a snag in the braid, try your best to comb it out. Pulling at the snag or tangle can cause breakage
Moisturize your scalp as you go. You’ll likely be washing your hair after taking out the braids so use the time to pre-poo with an oil or hair mask while taking down your hair. Then follow up with your regular cleansing and conditioning routine at the salon.
How to choose a braid style?
Choosing a box braid style depends on your environment and how long you want to keep it. For hot weather, you might opt for medium-sized box braids so you can manage discomfort when you sweat.
Small braids in hot weather make it smell so quickly since there’s less air passing through. Bigger sized might also make it difficult to style behind.
However, if you plan to keep your box braids for only two to three weeks, you might consider opting for big braids since it takes a shorter time to braid with a short life span too.
As many protective stylists know, traction alopecia can occur if your braids are too tight. To ensure that your hair stays intact, you’ll have to monitor your stylist’s technique for any discomfort.
Facts about box braids?
1. Protects your natural hair
Box braids are a great way to protect your hair from the wear and tear that is associated with constantly visiting the salon, perming and styling your hair.
These braids are not only a go-to for giving women a break from styling their hair, but box braids are also known as a protective style sought after in the natural hair community. In short, a protective style is a styling option that keeps your ends protected and the hair from environmental factors, heat styling, friction against clothing and any other factors that may be causing damage or breakage.
2. Encourages hair growth
They offer the added benefit of encouraging length retention because the braided hair will not be bothered by repeated manipulation, nor by harsh weather conditions.
3. Braids can be very itchy.
For the first few weeks after braiding you’ll experience an itchy scalp. An itchy scalp is due to dry scalp and, if braids are too tight it can cause tension on the scalp.
4. Braids can be Heavy
If you want the glamorous hip-length braids seen all over Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram get ready for the weight. What many fail to mention is how heavy the braids can be. Simple tasks like sleeping, putting your hair in a ponytail, and running can become a bit more difficult due to the extra weight from the braided extensions.
Ask your stylist for less dense hair and to use fewer packets of hair on your head.
5. Takes longer time
Depending on different factors, box braids can take as long as eight hours or more. The size of your braids, the hair used and the hairstylist contribute to the amount of time it takes to get braids done.
The average professional hairstylist can install box braids in about 5 to 6 hours, but the longer the hair, the more time required.
To avoid waiting time, opt for shorter braid styles to cut down braid time.
6. Braids are expensive
Due to the labor-intensive hairstyle of box braids, it costs money. With your stylist on her feet for hours, and her hands braiding at the speed of light; the price is validated. As with any other hairstyle, this can vary based on location and other factors.
While all is done, tip your stylist for making you look fabulous.
7. Box braids result in Shedding
While box braids protect and give you hair growth, expect a lot of shedding. Hair sheds about 50 to 100strands per day! So the shedding strands have been kept intact within the braid, but this is all revealed when taking down the braids. So shedding that was supposed to occur over 5 weeks, is coming out all at once.
Additionally, the added weight of braids can pull your hair strands out, this tends to occur more towards the edges and nape of your head.
Take your time when combing after unplaiting your box braids.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do people dip box braids in hot water?
It’s the hot water that seals those ends together. It kind of melts the hair together, so hot water is what seals the ends. Sometimes people like to use a little slip knot at the end.
What do I need for box braids?
1. Foam Reset Rinseless Hydrating Cleanser
2. Super Hold Styler
3. Manketti Oil Finishing Mist
4. Super Dry Shampoo
5. Bloom Omega Healthy Hair Oil.
6. Scalp Toner For Flaky & Itchy Scalps.
7. Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste.
8. Leave-In Conditioner.
9. Synthetic hair
How long do regular box braids last?
After your full-day appointment, you can expect your box braids to last a total of four to six weeks without a touch-up, if maintenance is kept up including trimming away extension fly-aways, keeping edges smooth and hydrated, and ensuring your scalp health is in tip-top shape.
Do box braids damage hair?
The most common type of damage associated with box braids is major shedding. When the braids are done too tightly, they literally pull your hair out at the roots. The damage is not usually immediate, but it happens over time
Which braids last the longest?
Thin braids or micro box braids can last up to three months, which out of all the braid sizes, is the longest time without having to go back to the salon; a gift in and of itself.
Take away
Box braids are a great way to protect your hair from regular salon manipulations. While it takes longer to braid, it can be relieving for daily combing and styling of natural hair.
For a professional look, visit a salon and make sure you carry enough snacks and a book to keep you company while you sit for hours.
Take care of your braids by scarfing them before bed and oiling the scalp daily.
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