How To Do Box Braids: A Bit By Bit Guide

Braids are the hairstyle that always remains in fashion and never gets old. One of the types of braids is “Box Braids”. These braids are versatile in style, as you have seen our ancestors doing it and nowadays people love to do it. The other braids like fishtails, dutch or french braids do not support the frizzy, curly or coily hairs. Coily hairs are the most time taking to make braids out of them as they are difficult to manage. Talking as people because the box braids are also loved and done by the men also. This is the fashion for both genders. You can enhance the length of your hairs by trying these braids.

Mostly people with extreme curly and frizzy hairs experiment with these box braids. This helps them to maintain their hair efficiently. You do not need to spend dollars for these box braids, as they took a lot of time in making. Professional salons charge too much money. In this article, we will help you to explore the easiest way to do these box braids on your own. Or you can take help from anyone at your home. Save your money by using the guidelines in this article. You just need to be focused on little details and use the hair tools correctly. 

Understanding What Are Box Braids:

Basically, box braids are the hairstyles to protect the hairs and it is most commonly done by the black women because they have the most coily and curly hairs. These braids are done and completed with the help of extension, commonly used for the people with coily short hairs. The hairs are braided by taking sections in small square boxes or sometimes in triangles.

That is why the name of these braids are box braids. This hairstyle is called protective as it helps to protect each strand of the hairs from any damage caused by other hairstyles, it also locks moisture into the hairs. Each strand is locked into a braid which provides length and volume to the hair. There are many other options available in box braids, you can style them according to your choice and preference. 

How to Box Braid Your Hairs, Step By Step Guide:

Here is the step by step guide for beginner box braids and box braids diy. So you can make them easily at home. The included steps are given below:

• Prepare Your Hairs for Easy Box Braids:

This is the first step towards box braiding. There are many options by which you can prepare your hairs for box braids, some of them are discussed here. For example, prepare a mixture of vinegar and warm water in proportion to 3 by 1, and dip your hair into that water for around 15 minutes, a white cast will appear on your hairs indicating that you can air dry them now.

Another way to prepare your hair is to use a nice and gentle shampoo and conditioner for hair. This will help to remove dirt from the hair and let your hair strengthen for all of the process. This also lessens the percentage of damage while doing box braiding. You can use the product range of Loreal Paris launched specially for curly hairs. You can use some oils or leave in conditioners after shampoo and conditioner for some extra care. 

• Detangling and Hair Drying Box Braids For Beginners:

Now the second step is to detangle your hairs and let them get dry. You can use some blow dryers to dry your hair with a wide tooth comb. Using a hair brush will open up your coils and it will make combing very difficult for you. You can use leave-in products and detangling serum of Loreal Paris and do not forget to use their heat protectant before blow drying your hairs. This step will make parting box braids easier for you. 

• Start Parting Box Braids:

Sectioning your hairs is the most important step for box braids diy. First of all you have to make 4 sections all over your head. Like horizontally from the crown of your head till the nape near your neck and vertically the section should be divided from ear to ear. These overall sections will make braiding easier for you. Use hair claws to secure other 3 sections and work freely on one single section. 

Use a tail comb for the clear sections, you can make further sections to make a braid of your own choice of size, but it is recommended in between 4 by 4 or 2.5 cm sections. But make sure to section equally so your scalp should come bare any weightage. Here you can use some hair products to smooth down the texture of hair and make combing easy for you. It will also help with blending into the extensions or artificial hairs. 

• Next Step is Extensions:

For this step you have to purchase extensions according to the colour of your natural hairs to avoid any difference. Now you have to make a braid by also adding the extension. You have to make a loop or just add extension while braiding. These are the 2 options, do whatever suits you and you are comfortable with. Use a slightly thicker strand of synthetic hairs and start braiding with a thin strand to make them equally in the braids. Start braiding by overlapping the right section over the middle one and same for the left one to overlap the new middle section which is made after the overlapping of the right and middle section. You have to keep balance in between both of the hairs. 

• Secure the Braids:

Pursuing this process will end up in a braid made with your synthetic and natural hairs. You can take breaks and rest in the middle to work efficiently for getting your desired results.  Tie up the end of the hairs with some hair ties or rubber bands. Make sure the braids are tight enough and should not produce any tension on the scalp. 

• Sealing the Easy Box Braids:

After completing the braids on your head, you have the last step to follow which is locking the look, for which you have to work for hours. Simply you have to dip your braids into a hot and warm water to lock the hairs into the same position, for the same purpose you can use some mousse to keep your hairs in the same positions with any other step. 

How to Do Box Braids Maintenance and Care:

When we spend hours on a hairstyle, then we should care about it also. Here are some care steps for your box braids.

• You have to follow a proper washing conditioning routine to take care of your braids. Follow a routine of washing your braids every 2 to 3 weeks. Wash them off with shampoo and warm water to wash off any dirt. Use conditioners and after oils to keep them hydrated. 
• You can use some cotton to oil the scalp and avoid any dryness. 
• Use a silk pillow cover at night or if it is not available try to wrap your braided hairs into a silk cloth. It will prevent your hair from a rash rub and avoid any frizziness. 
• Keep your hands gentle while styling the braids and when you reach about 4 to 5 weeks you should open up your braids to breath them up and relax your hairs. 

Faqs:

• How to start box braids for beginners?

Always start braiding hair by shampoo and conditioning your hair, let them dry or you can dry them off with a tool. Start by sectioning your hair and once you have some sectioning, merge your natural hairs with extensions and start braiding. Braid your hair by taking 3 sections of the hairs and overlapping the right and left one over the middle ones. Secure the ends by a hair tie and dip the braids into warm water to keep them in place. 

• What are the rules for box braids?

There is no hard and fast rule for box braiding, but you have to follow some instructions like do not braid more than 4 by 4 cm. As it will create tension on your scalp due to its weight.

• How many sections should you do for box braids?

You need to do overall 4 sections on your head. Vertically it should be from your crown area to the nape near your neck and the horizontal one should be from ear to ear.

• Is it better to do box braids on wet or dry hair?

Doing braids on wet hairs creates a tension on your scalp when the braid will dry so always wait for the hairs to dry and make braids on dry hairs.