This article was co-authored by Shun Pittman. Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".
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You can style box braids quite easily. Think of each box braid as a thick strand of hair which you can weave, style, and shape into your favorite look. You can use box braids to create a simple bun or twist, or you can weave the braids into larger braids and arrange them in fashionable patterns.
Steps
Twists, Bun, or Mohawk
Form a tight ponytail. Pull back all of your braids into a ponytail, using an over-sized headband. Arrange the ponytail on the top of your head.
Section the braids. Divide them into six to eight sections.
Twist each section. Within each section, make a single twist from the root to the ends. Secure with a hairband or small braid.
Finish the styling. Now that you have several larger twists, you can pin them into all kinds of shapes. Try pinning them up as a bun, or arranging the twists along the top of your head for a braided mohawk.Advertisement
Perimeter Braid
Lower your braids. Spread the braids downward around the perimeter of the head. Let them hang, covering your ears, face, and back.
Start making a larger braid. Pick a starting point about 2.5 inches (6cm) in front of your ear. Start French braiding three smaller braids together. Continue around the perimeter of your head, adding more braids as you go.
Secure the braid. Once you've completed the perimeter braid, tuck and pin down the ends with a hairpin.Advertisement
Miscellaneous Styles
Form larger braids. Gather three to six braids on the side of your head, near your ear. Braid them together and secure with a hairband. Repeat on the other side, then bring the two larger braids toward the back of your head and secure with a clip.
Add a curl. Attach flexi rods or perm rods to the ends of your braids. Dip them in warm water for 7–10 seconds, then dry gently with a towel. Release the ends and check out your new curls or waves.- You can add this step to most of the other style ideas.
Make a box braid basket weave. Bring braids across the top of your head, taking alternating braids from the left and right sides. Cross them over each other at the center to make a basket weave pattern.
Create a ponytail up-do. Bring the braids at the back of your hair together in a ponytail.[1] Wrap the remaining braids around the base of the ponytail, forming a bun around the ponytail's base.Advertisement
Community Q&A
- QuestionHow long do I keep the style in for?
Community AnswerAs long as you want, but your hair/scalp has to "breathe," so I would recommend a new hairstyle every week. - QuestionHow do you French braid on box braids?
Community AnswerDo it the same way you would with regular hair. I have done this before, so I recommend you start at the bottom of the scalp, or your box braids will be very poofy and weird looking.
Tips
- Lubricate the hair with water or moisturizing spray to keep it strong and soft.Thanks
- Add flowers, beads, or hairbands for extra style.Thanks
- Bobby pins may not hold every style in place. Use rubber bands if necessary, but keep the braids well-moisturized to avoid stress damage.Thanks
Warnings
- Do not tie the hair in a ponytail or with a tight hairband until after the braids have been washed for the first time. The stress could cause hair loss.Thanks
- Leaving in a tight style for too long can cause hair loss. Take out the box braids after eight weeks, while the hair is dry.Thanks
- If you stick to one style for too long, the part may remain in your hair even after you've taken out the box braids.Thanks
References
- ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.
About this article
To style box braids, start by pulling all of your braids back into a tight ponytail on the top of your head. Next, divide the braids into 6 to 8 sections and twist each section from the root to the ends. Finally, once you have several larger twists, pin them into any shape you like, such as a bun or a braided mohawk. To learn how to make a perimeter braid, keep reading!
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