Not sure how to style box braids? Then you have come to the right place! This article has everything you need.
Hairstyles are not just about how you style your hair but also about self-expression and personal identity. Just like how your outfit can make that first impression on people, your hairstyle can also impact others!
Among the various hairstyles that emerged over the years, braids are, for sure, among the most loved hairstyles.
As we know, there are many different braids like French braid, dutch braid, regular braid, etc. The box braid is the trendiest and most protective hairstyle among these braids!
The process of styling box braid can have a significant impact on your fashion and your outfit. If you are looking for different ways to style your box braids, continue reading this article to find out!
1. Braids
A braid is an intricate pattern formed by joining three or more hair strands. Though braids are known by different names in different cultures, styling your hair in braids is quite common everywhere. ‘Braids’ are sometimes called plaiting or interlacing of hair.
Braids are an art of styling hair that is said to have originated in the African culture and can be traced back 5000 years.
If you are looking for a hairstyle that will protect your hair and provide that chic look, then braid is your hairstyle!
1.1. Box Braids
Among the various types of braids, the most loved one would be the box braids.
Box braid is a style of braiding in which the hair is partitioned into sections, and each of those sections is braided. Box braids got their name from the box-like shape of the root formed in each section.
They are a protective form of braiding most popular among the African people. In early times in the African culture, braids were used to distinguish between people based on their community, age, etc.
The tighter braiding style makes box braids different from regular braids to ensure no strand of hair is left behind.
Though people have different opinions about who made the box braids famous globally, the most common opinion is that Janet Jackson made it famous with her debut film in 1993.
It can take about 4 to 8 hours to do a box braid style on your complete hair. Or even more based on the length and texture of your hair. But if appropriately maintained, your box braid can last 4 to 6 weeks without touch-up. It’s so worth the hours spent doing it!
2. How to Style Box Braids?
There are many diverse ways when it comes to styling box braids. It is possible to do it with your natural hair, or if you want, you can experiment with some coloured hair extensions, too!
So you don’t have to worry even if you have short hair. You can do box braids on your hair with hair extensions! Let’s look at the different ways to style a box braid.
2.1. Box Braid Ponytails
Box braided ponytails became more popular as getting it done is more accessible. You can grab your box braided hair and hold it together with a tie.
Try doing a high pony or a low ponytail as well. Or you can use a colourful hair tie to make your ponytail look unique!
2.2. Half Updo
If you don’t feel like putting in much work on your box braids but still want to look like a fashionista, box-braided half updos are for you!
Like regular half updos, take half of your hair from the front to the middle and secure it with a hair tie, and you’re all good!
2.3. Center Parted Half Updo
This is similar to the half-updo, but instead of taking your hair to the back, you should part it in the middle and hold it together with a hair tie.
This is even fit for the red carpet!
2.4. Braided Bun
This is another chic yet simple way to style your box-braided hair. A high bun is a go-to hairstyle when it comes to the topic of styling your box braids.
Taking your whole section of braided hair and wrapping it up in a high bun can accentuate your whole look.
Or you can take half the hair, wrap it in a bun, and let loose the rest for a more defined look!
2.5. Undercut Box Braid
This is the perfect box braided style to show anyone you are an absolute queen! You can shave half of your hair and make a box braid out of the rest.
Or shave hair from one side of your head and do the box braid on the rest. This badass look will let you slay one or two trends simultaneously!
2.6. Colored Extensions on Box Braid
What more relaxed way to look trendy than experimenting with different coloured extensions on your braids? You can add hair extensions to make long box braids.
You can try adding bright-coloured hair extensions to make a pretty look. Or try adding dark-coloured hair extensions to make a bold look. You will surely capture attention with the coloured wings on your box braids.
Red, ginger, pink, blue, and brown extensions are standard go-to hair extension colours for box braids!
2.7. Crown Braid
You can get a more defined look by styling a box braid with a crown braid. Doing the crown braid with a box braided hair can seem tricky for beginners, but you will be able to learn it in no time!
2.8. Twisting Box Braids
You can give your box braids a fun twist to make them look chic. Give it a try if you want to stand out in the crowd!
2.9. Box Braids With Bangs
Bangs have always been everyone’s favourite, and what fun way is there to do the box braid than with the bangs? Do a box braid on your bangs and look more fashionable than ever!
2.10. Spaced-out Box Braids
Instead of taking closer sections, space your sections out when doing your box braid to get large box braids and an edgy look!
Key Takeaways
Though the question of how to style box braids can be a bit tricky and confusing for some people, it is, for sure, worth your time and effort!
The above styles are only a few of the most common box-braided hairstyles. And with time, more chic ways to style box braids would come into the limelight. You can even make your own way of styling box braids!
No matter how you style your box braids, respect the culture involved. And slay in that box braid of yours!
Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Apeksha Soni
