Black girls everywhere make a great case as to why box braids may be the coolest and most timeless hairstyle. The beauty of braids is that they come in many different shapes and sizes, whether it’s cornrows, French, fishtail, or the box braids’ unidentical twin sister — the iconic knotless braids — but not only that, they can also be tailored to be as unique as you are. They can look delicate, powerful, feminine, and fierce all at the same time and may well be the most versatile hairstyle out there.
Box braids take the crown as the OG of all braids types. They look great in their own right as well as being able to be styled into a number of updos.
Having been a popular hairstyle in black culture for centuries, box braids involve sectioning hair into small, boxy sections before braiding the hair away from the scalp. Unlike cornrows, French and Dutch braids, box braids don’t sit tight to the head — each individual braid flows freely, allowing the look to be easily swept back into a ponytail, tied in a top knot, parted to any side, and even, well, braided.
If you’re planning on keeping your braids in for a while, it’s important to make sure your hair and scalp are in excellent condition to keep them looking lustrous and avoid any unwanted frizz. Firstly, when you have your braids freshly done, your scalp can feel tight and tender and might even be a little itchy at first, but a good scalp tonic can help relieve this sensation.
Another thing worth noting is to spray a leave-in conditioner, moisturising serum, or hair oil onto your braids every few days to keep the hair cuticles smooth and nourished. Finally, be sure to wash your braids regularly, pressing and squeezing them together in order to massage the product through rather than scrubbing it in.
We asked award-winning hairstylist Charlotte Mensah, founder and creative director of Hair Lounge, on London’s Portobello Road to answer your most asked questions on box braids and here are her thoughts.
Are there any downsides to box braids?
“Box braids are great for anyone who wants a low-maintenance easy hairstyle. Anyone with any texture can have box braids as long as their hair is long enough to create a braid. This style works well on all hair types, just make sure your hair is in good condition as its health is very important. Do your research and make sure your braid stylist has experience in caring for and styling natural hair. Avoid having your hair pulled too tight around the edges because a tight style is not just damaging for your hair, but it also prevents your scalp from getting adequate oxygen.”
How to best prep for box braids?
“It’s important that before you braid your hair, you do a deep conditioning treatment – this will help to strengthen and revitalise the hair. Make sure your ends are trimmed before installing braids to prevent added damage and make sure the hair is thoroughly detangled before the box braids are done.”
How to keep box braids fresh?
“To keep your braids fresh and lasting longer, I’d recommend adding as part of your daily regime use Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Finishing Mist. I would also recommend wrapping a silk scarf on your head or use a silk pillowcase at night to keep any rough textures away from your hair and scalp. This will keep your hair from becoming dry and brittle.”
Here are the main tools you need for your box braids:
- Braiding hair
- Combing set
- Edge Control
Here, we take a look at some of our favourite stars’ rocking the most phenomenal box braids to inspire your next trip to the hairdresser.
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