How To Install Box Braids On Yourself

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Box braids can give you the chic, maverick look you've ever wanted and make maintaining your pilus twenty-four hours-to-solar day much easier. Getting box braids professionally done at a salon tin can be expensive, but y'all can create this hairstyle at home. By attaching constructed hair to your natural pilus with some patience, you tin achieve beautiful box braids in no time.

1
Shampoo and condition your hair. Get-go by washing your pilus with your normal shampoo in the shower or bath. And so, apply a moisturizing conditioner so your hair does non get frizzy when y'all dry it.^[1]
- Use a leave-in conditioner if your hair tends to be very dry or frizzy.
- Yous should shampoo and status your hair even if you are going to utilise hair extensions for the braids, as this will ensure the hair extensions attach properly to your natural pilus.
2

Detangle your hair with a rummage. Let your hair air dry out completely if it is straight and fine, and then use a plastic wide-tooth rummage to gently remove any tangles or knots. Start combing your hair at the ends, and work your way up the strand, gently removing knots and tangles as you go. Do not tug or pull at your hair too difficult, every bit you do non want to tear or rip your hair. Try to remove as many tangles equally you can so your hair is easy to braid.^[2]

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3
Blow dry your hair directly if it is very curly. Apply a rut protectant gel or spray to your pilus before you accident dry out it. Utilise a castor to blow dry your hair in sections then it lays flat and straight. This can make parting your hair for the braids easier, specially if you lot have very curly hair.^[three]
- If your blow dryer comes with a comb or selection attachment, yous can utilise that.
- Y'all can also flat fe dry hair with a hair straightener if y'all'd prefer. Make sure you apply heat protectant before you lot straighten your hair.
4
Trim the ends of your pilus if they are dry out or split. If you have ends that feel dry when yous rub them or appear flat and frizzy, yous may trim them advisedly. Trimming the ends tin can aid to forbid fuzziness at the ends of the complect and keep the braids locked in for a longer period of fourth dimension.
- Trimming the ends is especially important if you are using synthetic hair to create the box braids, every bit synthetic hair tends to attach better to fresh, make clean ends.
five
Dissever your hair into 4 box shaped sections with a wide-tooth rummage. Create 4 sections by dividing your hair down the center from your forehead to your neck, then from ear to ear. Get out the first section you plan to piece of work on undone. Make sure the sections are evenly parted, with a clear straight line at the roots, forming a box shape. Use three large pilus clips to keep the remaining 3 sections out of the way.^[iv]
- Make sure your hair is evenly divided betwixt each department. You may demand to do the parts in front of a mirror to get a better sense of their shape.
6
Apply hydrating gel or foam to the ends of your hair to prevent frizz. Utilise your hands to run a small amount of hydrating gel or cream on the ends of your hair, rubbing in the gel well. This volition help to keep the ends of your hair moist, reduce frizz, and make it easier for the synthetic hair to blend in with your natural hair.^[5]
- Look for hydrating gel or cream at your local beauty supply store or online. Gels and creams that contain coconut oil and argon oil are usually skillful options.
vii
Role your pilus into a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section with the pointed end of a rat tail comb. Have the pointed end of the rummage and run it through 1 of the front parts yous made earlier in your hair. Section out a .five inches (ane.3 cm) section of pilus above your ear if you are doing small to medium-sized braids. If you are creating jumbo box braids, section out 2 inches (five.1 cm) of pilus.^[6]
- Make sure the part above the department of hair is straight. Apply the comb terminate of the comb to brush away whatsoever flyaways above the role so the part is straight and clean.
- Tie back the rest of the pilus in the department so information technology is out of the way.
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Get 6-8 packs of constructed hair for long, thick braids. Apply synthetic hair, rather than human hair, for the box braids, as it will not frizz. Shorter, thinner box braids may crave fewer packs of hair. Await for constructed pilus that is smooth and soft at your local beauty supply store or online.
- When in doubt, go more pilus than you think y'all might demand. You can then use any leftover hair for another way afterwards or return it, if the retailer allows returns.
- Soft-pressed Kanekalon Expression hair and pre-stretched Kanekalon hair are the most common types of constructed pilus used for box braids. You could as well employ homo hair or yarn hair.^[7]
two
Take 1 to 2 inches (2.v to five.1 cm) of synthetic hair. Identify the hair extensions between your fingers in a staggered line. Suspension the hair into 3 sections. Identify 1 section of the hair extensions betwixt your pointer and heart finger. And so, take the next department and place it between your center finger and ring finger 1 to 2 inches (two.5 to five.one cm) below the kickoff section. Agree the tertiary section between your ring finger and pinkie 1 to two inches (2.5 to 5.i cm) beneath the 2nd section.^[eight]
- Staggering the hair in a line will give the ends of the braids a feathered, rather than blunt, look, making the pilus appear more natural.
3

Remove ⅓ of the hair. Set information technology aside, as you lot volition not be using it to form the braid. You can use information technology later when you make new sections of hair for your braids.
4
Form a loop with the remaining hair. Accept 1 department of pilus and place it over the remaining department of pilus and so they interlock into each other to form a loop. Make sure 1 section has more pilus than the other. The 2 pieces of hair should create a loose loop, where the smaller department hangs over the bigger section.^[9]
- Y'all should now have 3 even sections of synthetic hair to work with.
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1

Place the constructed hair over your natural hair at the roots. Plough your hand so your palm is facing in. Then, concord the synthetic hair at the middle section with your thumb and pointer finger and place information technology over your natural hair right at the roots. Concord the constructed hair in place with your fingers, lining up the synthetic hair with your natural hair.^[10]
2

Allow your natural pilus to fall in the middle department of the constructed hair. Y'all should have iii strands of hair, 2 strands on the outside and 1 strand in the middle. Your natural pilus should fall underneath the synthetic hair in the middle section.
three
Braid your natural hair in with the synthetic hair. Hold tight to the middle section and accomplish underneath to i of the exterior sections. Pull hair from the outside section to the middle. Then, reach underneath once more and pull pilus from the other outside department to the middle. This is the starting time of the braid, with your natural pilus tightly integrated into the synthetic hair. Brainstorm your complect tight near the scalp so that information technology volition look new.^[11]
- Maintain a house grip on the synthetic pilus and your natural hair with your fingertips so the constructed hair does not slip off.
- Continue braiding the hair all the style to the ends, reaching underneath the eye section to place the hair sections on peak of each other.
- You don't need to braid your hair tightly to get it to stay.^[12] Braiding your hair too tight can actually lead to harm. Keep even, firm pressure as you braid and then the braid appears compatible and smooth.
4
Secure the end of the complect with a hair elastic, if needed. If the synthetic hair is thick, yous may non demand a pilus elastic to secure the end of the braid, as information technology may stay in place on its own. If the pilus is thin or fine, use a not-snag rubberband to keep the braid in place.
- Elastic bands tin can cause frizzing, so simply employ one if you need information technology.^[13]
5
Braid each section ane at a time, taking breaks every bit needed. Piece of work section past section, parting a small, shine section of your natural pilus. Then, section the synthetic hair and attach it to your natural hair to braid it in. It may take several hours to practise your entire head in box braids and so take breaks between each section, or as needed.^[14]
- Brand sure you create each complect quickly and evenly, as braiding your pilus likewise slowly can cause frizziness. Utilise the same corporeality of force per unit area so the braids all take the same thickness and shape.
6

Trim off whatsoever flyaways with pair of scissors. One time you lot have braided your unabridged head, apply pair of scissors to remove whatsoever flyaways at the ends. Snip them as close to the braids as possible and so the braids appear smoothen, beingness careful not to snip any of your natural hair.^[xv]
7
Dip the ends of the braids in hot h2o to seal them. Pour boiling water in a basin and dip each braid from the midsection to the ends in the water. This will help to remove any remaining flyaways and frizziness on the braids, forth with sealing the braids and preventing them from unraveling.
- Y'all can remove the hair elastics once you have sealed the braids if you lot prefer not to have elastics on the braids.
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1
Cover your braids with a silk or satin scarf at night to foreclose frizziness. Necktie the scarf around your braids at the scalp. If your braids are longer than the scarf itself, you can loosely pivot the braids up before wrapping the scarf, finer shortening them while y'all sleep, or leave the ends exposed.^[16]
- Yous can besides slumber on a silk or satin pillow cover to continue your complect smooth and frizz complimentary.
2

Wipe your braids with witch hazel 2-three times a calendar week to keep them clean. Dab a clammy cloth with witch hazel and wipe downwardly the braids one at a time. This style, they stay make clean without having to get too moisture in the shower or bath. Box braids can feel incredibly heavy when wet and are prone to frizziness when they are soaked in water.
three
Wash your scalp with shampoo and water to foreclose itchiness. Part the braids and clip them upwardly, exposing your scalp. Wash your scalp 1 section at a time, being conscientious non to get water on the braids.^[17]
- Y'all can try washing your scalp iii-4 times a calendar week, rather than every twenty-four hour period, and so you exercise not adventure getting the braids wet.
iv

Massage natural oils into your scalp once a week to continue information technology hydrated. Coconut oil, almond oil, and shea butter are adept options. Using a cotton pad or cotton ball, or clean fingers, rub a generous dab of oil over your scalp in sections. Try to embrace as much of your scalp as possible without getting any oil onto your braids.^[18]
5
Take the braids out within ii months to forestall pilus damage. Box braids usually final for 6-8 weeks, just even if they still look smashing past that point, accept them out so your hair stays healthy. Keeping your pilus braided for too long tin can crusade it to break abroad from the scalp, leading to long-term harm to your hairline and your scalp.^[19]
- Utilize your fingers to gently unravel the braids from the spot where the synthetic hair attaches to your real pilus. Avert using a fine-tooth comb when taking your braids downwardly, as this can lead to rips and tears in your hair.
- Ask friends or family unit to assist with the unbraiding process in order to cut down the time and effort needed.
- Throw away the extensions once you accept removed them.
- Look iii-iv weeks to put new box braids in so your hair tin recover.
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Add New Question

Question

Can you get in the pool with box braids?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2022.

Professional person Hair Stylist

Expert Respond

Yes, you can go in the pool with box braids. Yous should necktie them up prior to getting in the h2o (only if your unabridged head will come in to contact with the water) considering once they get wet, they'll become heavy.
Question

Can you get in the pool with box braids?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Pilus Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico Schoolhouse of Hair Design in 2022.

Professional Hair Stylist

Practiced Answer

Aye, you tin go in the pool with box braids. Y'all should tie them up prior to getting in the h2o (only if your unabridged caput volition come up in to contact with the water) because in one case they get wet, they'll become heavy.
Question

How long does information technology take to do medium sized box braids?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Blueprint in 2022.

Professional Pilus Stylist

Expert Answer

Medium box braids can take several hours to do, usually almost 5-8 hours, depending on your speed and how long the braids will be. Waist length box braids would have much longer to practise than mid-back length box brids.
Question

How long can you keep box braids in your hair?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology educational activity at John Amico Schoolhouse of Hair Design in 2022.

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Box braids tin can concluding almost 6-viii weeks. Even if your braids still look presentable afterward 8 weeks, you should accept them out to preclude breakage.
Question

How do you loosen tight braids?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology instruction at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2022.

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Respond

Box braids are more often than not braided tight. There's no way to loosen them; yous would need to take them out if they're too tight for you.
Question

Can you get in the pool with box braids?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Pilus Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Pilus Design in 2022.

Professional person Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Yes, you tin go far the pool with box braids. You should necktie them upward prior to getting in the water (only if your unabridged head will come in to contact with the water) because once they get wet, they'll become heavy.
Question

How do yous loosen tight braids?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Pilus Pattern in 2022.

Professional Hair Stylist

Good Answer

Box braids are generally braided tight. There's no way to loosen them; y'all would need to take them out if they're as well tight for you.
Question

Can you become in the pool with box braids?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2022.

Professional Hair Stylist

Skillful Answer

Yes, you can get in the pool with box braids. Yous should tie them up prior to getting in the water (only if your entire head volition come in to contact with the water) considering one time they go wet, they'll get heavy.
Question

Is box braiding good for my hair?

If done properly, it prevents your hair from breaking, and then in that sense it is. However, if you keep the braids in besides long they tin cause breakage, knots, and matted pilus.
Question

How often tin I launder my pilus in the shower?

Yous should launder no more than two-3 times a week (wash too much and your braids volition go frizzy).

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Things You'll Need

Clarifying shampoo
Conditioner
Hair dryer (optional)
Wide-molar rummage
Large hair clips
Synthetic pilus extensions
Hair elastics
Boiling water
Witch hazel
Cotton pad
Satin or silk scarf
Natural oils

About This Article

Article Summary X

To practise box braids, start by parting your hair downwardly the center into four equal sections. Prune three of the sections so they're out of your style, and go out i department down to start with. Then, working i section at a fourth dimension, complect strands of synthetic hair that are i-2 inches thick into pocket-sized strands of your natural hair. Once yous've finished braiding synthetic pilus into all 4 sections, dip the ends of the braids in hot water to seal them. For tips on caring for your box braids so they stay looking beautiful, read on!

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