Box braids hairstyles are back, if they ever really had left! Box braids have been quite a popular hair style among African-American women. Given the drastic change that this simple hairstyle can bring in one’s personality, the box braids styles are trending and getting very popular among women of all ages around the world. So what are box braids and how can you style them? Let’s find out in this post.

Box braids are basically individual plaits divided by small squared-off parts or boxes. These kinds of braids can be of any width, length or style, but most women like to add synthetic or natural hair extensions to the braid for extra length and fullness.

The best thing about box braids hairstyles is that they can be manipulated into many different styles. While it may take a long time to style the box braid, but the final outcome is beautiful and lasts for a long time, sometimes even months.

Best Hair for Box Braids

What is the best hair for box braids you may ask? We recommend using 100% Kanekalon Jumbo braid. If  you’re allergic to syntactic hair or want to use real human hair instead, you should use human kinky hair (4B) because they will not slip as easy as syntactic hair. However, human hair is more expensive than Yaki hair. So, if you’re price conscious and don’t care much about your braids get a little dry and not having the ability to heat style your braids, go with syntactic. But if you have a few loose change you can spare and want more styling options like curling irons, hot rollers – go with real human hair. Be mindful that, human hair is harder to seal with hot water, is more slipping and the ends are more likely to tangle when worn loose. So, 100% Kanekalon Jumbo braid is the best hair for box braids. 

How Long Should I Keep My Box Braids In?

We recommend a max of 3 months. Box braids hairstyles are nice and you have fallen in love with you. But anything longer than that you will have problems. Your natural hair and new hair growth under the braids will start to twist and lock by themselves making it hard to remove the braids. As a results, some of your natural hair will have to come out with the braids, or even cause a lot of breakage to your natural hair. Braids can help grow your natural hair but if staying to long, they can have the opposite affect.

How to Do Box Braids Hairstyles

Box braids are made by parting hair into individual boxes. These boxes can be small, medium or even large sized. Once the box is created, the section of the hair in the box is split into three even sub-sections and braided till the ends. This process is repeated until all the hair is braided into individual braids. Box braids hairstyles can be done on natural hair or extensions. Here is the step by step guide on how to style box braids:

1. Divide the hair into four sections and secure each with hair clip.

2. Lose the section you want to start braiding first.

3. Make a vertical part in the section chosen, followed by a horizontal one next to make your box.

4. Take your hair inside the box and split them into three sub-sections.

5. Begin braiding the hair all the way down.

6. Keep a firm grip until you reach the ends.

7. Repeat this process until each set of box braids is completed.

8. Spray some oil sheen to add texture and luster.

9. You can also use extensions to make your braids look lengthy and fuller.

How to Style Your Box Braids

Now that you already to how to style box braids, you might want to check some box braids pictures to find out different styles and accessories that you can put on your braids for more enhanced look. Whether you are heading to a party, business meeting or casual social gathering, box braids is one hairstyle that you can carry everywhere you want with different variations. Check out the different box braids pictures below and you will see how girls these days carry their braids well for different occasions.

Video Credit: Jennifer Olaleye

Video Credit: JeNeevaLove

Box braids have been around since ancient times and even today look quite fashionable among African-American women. Once you master the art of how to style box braids, you can experiment with number of fun ways to design your braids. There are hundreds of designs that you can experiment with. Take a look at the box braids pictures and accessorize your braids with colorful pins, bands and clips. Make them look chic, trendy and elegant as per your mood and occasion. You can choose from everyday styles, casual or elegant updos for special night outs.

Video Credit: Delightfulace Watson

Video Credit: tiarra monet

30 Box Braids Hairstyles

Video Credit: myblackhair