Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Preparing your hair for braiding
• Part 2 of 4: Dividing the synthetic hair
• Part 3 of 4: Securing the synthetic hair
• Part 4 of 4: Taking care of your box braids
• Necessities

Box braids can give you the chic, bohemian look you've always wanted and make day to day maintenance of your hair a lot easier. Getting these braids done professionally in a salon can be expensive, but you can also create this hairstyle at home. By attaching synthetic hair to your natural hair with a little patience, you can make beautiful box braids in no time.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Preparing your hair for braiding

1. Shampoo and condition your hair. Start by washing your hair with your normal shampoo in the shower or bath. Then apply a moisturizing conditioner so that your hair doesn't frizz when you dry it.
   • Use a leave-in conditioner if your hair is very dry or frizzy.
   • You should use shampoo and conditioner in your hair even if you are going to use hair extensions for the braids as this will ensure that the hair extensions adhere well to your natural hair.
2. Detangle your hair with a comb. If your hair is straight and fine, let your hair air dry completely, then use a plastic wide-toothed comb to gently remove any tangles or tangles. Start by combing your hair at the ends, working your way up, gently removing knots and tangles as you go. Don't pull too hard on your hair because you don't want to tear or break your hair. Try to get rid of tangles as much as possible so that your hair is easy to braid.
3. Blow-dry your hair straight if it is very curly. Apply a heat protectant gel or spray to your hair before blow drying. Use a brush to blow-dry your hair in sections so that it lies flat and straight. This can make parting your hair easier for the braids, especially if you have very curly hair.
   • If your hair dryer comes with a comb or plucking attachment, you can use that.
   • You can also flatten dry hair with a flat iron if you prefer. Make sure to apply heat protectant before straightening your hair.
4. Tip your hair if it is dry or there are split ends. If you have points that feel dry when you rub them or appear flat and frizzy, you can trim them gently. Tidying your hair can help prevent frizz at the ends of the braid and make the braids last longer.
   • Trimming the ends is especially important if you are using synthetic hair for the box braids, as synthetic hair tends to adhere better to neat, clean ends.
5. Divide your hair into four box-shaped sections with a wide comb. Make four sections by dividing your hair from the center of your forehead to your neck and then from ear to ear. Leave the first part you plan on editing for what it is. Make sure the sections are evenly spaced, with a clear straight line at the roots, creating a box shape. Use three large hair clips to keep the remaining three sections out of the way.
   • Make sure your hair is evenly distributed on each section. You may need to do the dividing in front of the mirror to get a better idea of ​​its shape.
6. Apply moisturizing gel or cream to the ends of your hair to prevent frizz. Use your hands to apply a small amount of moisturizing gel or cream to the ends of your hair and rub the gel in well. This helps to keep the ends of your hair moist, reduce frizz, and make it easier for synthetic hair to intertwine with your natural hair.
   • Look for hydrating gel or cream at your local beauty supply store or online. Gels and creams containing coconut oil and argon oil are usually good options.
7. Using the pointed end of a rat tail comb, divide your hair into 1-inch sections. Take the pointed end of the comb and run it through one of the front sections you made in your hair earlier. Set aside a 1/2 inch section of hair above your ear if you are doing small to medium braids. If you are making large box braids, divide your hair into 5 cm sections.
   • Make sure that there are no loose hairs above this section. Use the comb end of the comb to brush away any hair that gets in the way above this section so everything is neat.
   • Tie the rest of the hair back together in the section so that it doesn't get in the way.

Part 2 of 4: Dividing the synthetic hair

1. Use 6-8 packs of synthetic hair for long, thick braids. Use synthetic hair, instead of human hair, for the box braids, as they won't frizz. For shorter, thinner box braids, you need fewer packs of hair. Look for synthetic hair that is smooth and soft at your local beauty supply store or online.
   • When in doubt, take more hair than you think you need. You can use leftover hair for a different style or return it, if the store allows it.
2. Take 2.5-5 cm of synthetic hair. Place the hair extensions between your fingers in a staggered line. Divide the hair into thirds. Place some of the hair extensions between your index and middle fingers. Then take the next section and place it between your middle and ring fingers 2.5-5 cm below the first section. Hold the third part between your ring finger and little finger, 5 cm below the second part.
   • Laying the hair on top of each other gives the ends of the braids a feathery rather than blunt appearance, giving the hair a more natural look.
3. Remove ⅓ of the hair. Set it aside as you won't be using it to form the braid. You can use it later when making new sections for your braids.
4. Form a loop with the remaining hair. Take a section of hair and place it over the remaining section so that they interlock and form a loop. Make sure that one section has more hair than the other. The two parts should form a loose loop, with the smaller part hanging over the larger one.
   • You should now have three equal sections of synthetic hair to work with.

Part 3 of 4: Securing the synthetic hair

1. Place the synthetic hair over your natural hair at the roots. Turn your hand so that your palm is facing inward. Then hold the synthetic hair in the middle section with your thumb and index finger and place it over your natural hair at the roots. Hold the synthetic hair in place with your fingers and line the synthetic hair with your natural hair.
2. Drop your natural hair into the center of the synthetic hair. You should have three strands of hair - two strands on the outside and one strand in the middle. Your natural hair should be below the synthetic hair in the middle section.
3. Braid the synthetic hair into your natural hair. Hold the middle section and reach underneath for one of the outer strands of hair. Pull the hair from the outer section to the center. Then grab under again and pull the hair from the other outer section to the center. This is the start of the braid, with your natural hair woven tightly into the synthetic hair. Start your braid tight at the scalp so that it looks new.
   • Hold the synthetic hair and your natural hair firmly with your fingertips so that the synthetic hair does not slide off.
   • Braid the hair to the ends, under the middle section, to lay the hair sections on top of each other.
   • Do not braid too tightly as this can lead to damaged hair. Keep even, firm pressure while braiding so that the braid appears even and smooth.
4. Secure the end of the braid with an elastic hair braid, if necessary. If the synthetic hair is thick, you may not need a hair elastic to secure the end of the braid as it can stay in place. If the hair is thin or fine, use a smooth elastic to hold the braid in place.
5. Braid each part one at a time, taking breaks as needed. Work part by part, separating a small, smooth section of your natural hair. Then you divide the synthetic hair and attach it to your natural hair to braid it. It may take several hours to apply all of the braids, so take breaks between each part, or as needed.
   • Make sure to do each braid quickly and evenly as braiding your hair too slowly can cause frizz. Always use the same pressure so that the braids all have the same thickness and shape.
6. Trim any bouncy hair with scissors. Once you've braided your entire head, use scissors to remove any leftover hair at the ends. Trim them as close to the braids as possible so that the braids appear neat and be careful not to cut any of your natural hair.
7. Dip the ends of the braids in hot water to seal them. Pour boiling water into a bowl and dip each braid in the water from the center part to the ends. This will help to remove any remaining loose hair and frizz from the braids, and will seal the braids and prevent them from loosening.
   • You can remove the hair elastics if you have sealed the braids if you prefer not to have elastics on your braids.

Part 4 of 4: Taking care of your box braids

1. Cover your braids with a silk or satin scarf at night to avoid frizzy hair. Tie the scarf around your head by your braids. If your braids are longer than the scarf itself, you can loosely thread the braids before putting the scarf on so that they are essentially shortened while sleeping, or leave the ends uncovered.
   • You can also sleep on a silk or satin cushion cover to keep your braid smooth and frizz-free.
2. Clean your braids with witch hazel two to three times a week to keep them clean. Dab a damp cloth with witch hazel and wipe your braids one at a time. This way they stay clean without getting too wet in the shower or bath. Box braids can feel incredibly heavy when wet and are prone to frizz when soaked in water.
3. Wash your scalp with shampoo and water to avoid itching. Divide the braids in half and clamp them, exposing your scalp. Wash your scalp by hair section and be careful not to get water on the braids.
   • You can try washing your scalp 3-4 times a week, rather than every day, so you don't run the risk of getting the braids wet.
4. Massage natural oils into your scalp once a week to keep it hydrated. Coconut oil, almond oil, and shea butter are good options. Using a cotton pad or cotton swab, or clean fingers, rub a generous amount of oil over your scalp in sections. Try to cover as much of your scalp as possible without getting oil on your braids.
5. Take the braids out again within two months to prevent hair damage. Box braids usually last 6-8 weeks, but even if they still look good after that point, take them off anyway so your hair stays healthy. Keeping your hair braided for too long can cause it to break from the scalp, leading to long-term damage to your hairline and scalp.
   • Use your fingers to gently unravel the braids from where the synthetic hair attaches to your real hair. Avoid using a fine-tooth comb when taking out your braids as this can lead to breakage and tearing of your hair.
   • Ask friends or family to help you unravel your hair to speed it up.
   • Discard the extensions once you have removed them.
   • Wait 3-4 weeks to put in new box braids so that your hair can recover first.

Necessities

• Clarifying shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair dryer (optional)
• Broad-toothed comb
• Large hair clips
• Synthetic hair extensions
• Hair elastics
• Boiling water
• Witch hazel
• Cotton pads
• Satin or silk scarf
• Natural oils