Box braids are among the most widely used protective hairstyles, regardless of the season. DIY has become a way of life, particularly during the pandemic. It can be intimidating to style natural hair, especially if you attempt to make your box-braided hairdo. If visiting a salon or paying a stylist to put in box braids is out of your price range, or you’re just up for the challenge, we’re here to walk you through the process step by step.
How should box braids be maintained?
All the love and care in the world should be lavished upon your crown. Since natural hair textures are more brittle than other hair types, having a reliable routine is crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Include the right products in your daily hair care routine to maintain the appearance of box braids for a long time while protecting your scalp’s health. These are some suggestions for keeping box braids fresh:
- To avoid dryness, irritation, and hair damage, moisturize your scalp daily with water and PATTERN’s Scalp Serum, Hydrating Mist, and Argan Oil.
- Establish a hair care regimen that includes cleaning and moisturizing your scalp and braids to avoid buildup and damage.
- To retain the freshness of your braids at night, lie on a silk pillowcase and cover your hair with a cap or satin scarf.
How long do box braids take?
According to the resident hairstylist at All Things Hair, box braids can last between four and six weeks. The most time I would advise keeping box braids is two months, and the maximum amount of time I would recommend keeping them in is six weeks. The length of time you wear your braids in, though, is ultimately up to you. Nevertheless, it requires expertise and patience to achieve this look, so it’s crucial to maintain the style once your braids look immaculate.
These plants are relatively simple to maintain and don’t need to be washed or brushed daily. However, it would help if you considered some actions to boost their staying power. Your scalp can’t breathe when your box braids are in, much like when you leave other protective hairstyles such as cornrows or crochet braids in for an extended period. According to some hairstylists, the scalp is a continuation of the different skin on your body, and when that skin is covered, the dead skin cells and natural oils have nowhere to go, causing them to accumulate on the scalp.
How long do box braids on your hair take to complete?
Box braids with additional extensions often take 4 to 8 hours to complete. The time needed will change depending on your braiding expertise, technique, and preferred box braid style. The longer and smaller the braids are, the longer they will take to install. If you want to make giant box braids or bob-length box braids, it will take less time. Even without extra hair extensions, it can take an hour to several hours, depending on your natural hair length and desired braid size.
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Step by step to achieving box braids
You are now prepared to follow this step-by-step tutorial on creating box braids as you know the inside scoop on them.
Step 1: Cleanse your hair
Start by giving your hair a thorough shampoo to eliminate any accumulated product, sweat, or grime buildup. Smooth out your hair using PATTERN’s Lightweight Conditioner before detangling.
Step 2: Deep condition your hair
The best approach to give your curls the power and moisture they require before braiding is to use a deep conditioning treatment for your hair, like PATTERN’s Leave-In Conditioner.
Step 3: Detangle and dry your hair
To spread out the curls, blow dry your hair outdoors or on low to medium heat using a comb. If your rings are tighter, you might need a blow dryer to extend them. If your curls flop, use a blow dryer or let them air dry. Before blow-drying your hair, remove all knots with PATTERN’s Wide Tooth Comb or a brush. Detangle and brush out the rings if you’re air-drying your hair to make it lay flat. Your hair will have more slides, which will facilitate braiding and installation.
Step 4: Section your hair
Draw a horizontal section on the back of your head using a rat tail comb. Make the portion 1 to 2 inches from your neck, depending on the size of the box braids you want.
Step 5: Boxes for airports
Create a vertical portion in the first segment to form a square. Your desired braid size will determine the square shape (box) size. For medium box braids, cut a 1-inch part, and for jumbo braids, cut a 2-inch piece.
Step 6: Condition your hair
Apply a medium-to-strong hold gel after the cream. Try PATTERN’s Styling Cream to give your hair an additional layer of nourishment. If you’re adding extensions, applying a gel will help your hair become smoother and avoid frizz. It will also assist your hair blend in with the synthetic hair.
Step 7: Fasten using rubber bands
At the base of your hair, attach tiny elastic rubber bands to each square form you divided. It ought to resemble a series of small ponytails running over the back of your head. Repeat steps 4 through 7 until your head is full of boxes fastened with elastic bands at the root.
Step 8: Get 8 to 10 packs of hair.
Buy at least five bundles of hair if you want your box braids to be a specific size. Unless you want to have to quickly run back to the beauty supply store to grab a few more packs, always purchase more than you initially think you’ll need. You can save the extra bags if you don’t utilize them all for your following style. Hair that has been pre-stretched has been stretched and has tapered ends. Many people love this hair since it is lightweight, tangle-free, gives off a more natural appearance, and speeds upbraiding.
Step 9: Begin the braiding
Over the elastic band, please take a short length of hair and fold it in half at the root. Your original hair should be in the middle, with the extensions on either side. The braiding process begins as usual.
Will box braids damage my hair?
A protective style tucks your ends away to prevent breakage and damage and encourage hair growth. Split ends, moisture loss, and time savings can all be avoided by giving your hair a vacation from manipulation. Because environmental factors like humidity, extreme heat, or freezing temperatures can harm the hydration and firmness of your curls, maintaining your hair in a style like box braids will help avoid damage.
