{"id":593,"date":"2022-09-11T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-11T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/?p=593"},"modified":"2022-12-28T07:31:41","modified_gmt":"2022-12-28T07:31:41","slug":"box-braids-protective-hairstyles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/box-braids-protective-hairstyles\/","title":{"rendered":"18 Pretty Box Braids Protective Hairstyles You’ll Love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Box braid hairstyles make one of the most common protective hairstyles, and it\u2019s not even a debate. There are many kinds of box braids as you\u2019ll see later, but they all work to protect your hair in a similar way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking about box braids, there are knotted (regular) and knotless box braids. Some other hairstyles that fit into the umbrella of box braids include boho braids, mini braids, and tiny braids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, you\u2019ll get a free tutorial on how to make box braids protective hairstyles easily. Before continuing, however, you\u2019ll get answers to some of the pressing questions about the hairstyle on the internet, as well as some necessary clarifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Box Braids Destroy Your Hair?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are so many things that could eventually lead to hair damage, and box braid is not one of them. Regardless of what you\u2019ve heard elsewhere, box braids fall under the protective hairstyles<\/a> category, and as you\u2019d expect, they do protect your hair from some forms of damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unless you\u2019re implementing some really terrible hair care advice, installing box braids shouldn\u2019t do anything remotely close to destroying your hair. However, if you strongly believe it is, there are tons of other protective hairstyles you can try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Do You Keep In Box Braids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The answer depends on how much time and effort you\u2019re willing to sacrifice to maintain the hair. If you can afford to redo the hairline whenever necessary, you may be able to carry it for up to three months, but it shouldn\u2019t last more than eight weeks otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, box braids can last for as long as you\u2019re willing to keep them. It\u2019s even better if you\u2019re skilled enough to redo the split ends and hairline yourself since those are the only challenges that may force you to undo the hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Braids Make Your Hair Grow?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your hair has a stable growth rate that\u2019s determined majorly by genetics and partly by your diet. The kind of hairstyle you wear has little or no effect on making your hair grow, even the protective styles<\/a> you know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While braids will protect your hair from some forms of damage that could threaten its growth, it doesn\u2019t actually do anything to make the hair grow quicker or better. So, don\u2019t expect any magic just because you\u2019re wearing braids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I Get My Box Braids Wet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting your hair wet without drying can cause adverse reactions, regardless of what hairstyle you\u2019re wearing. However, it\u2019s clearly more pronounced when wearing certain hairstyles compared to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For box braids, you shouldn\u2019t have any problems with getting them wet casually. As long as you ensure it dries properly after getting wet, the hair should always look as good as new. However, you should always try as much as possible to keep your braids away from water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do You Need for Box Braids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To make the perfect box braids<\/a>, there are a couple of items and tools you need to put in order. While some of these items are optional, some are absolutely necessary if you want something remotely close to those amazing box braids you see on Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a list of the things you need to make box braids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Shampoo and conditioner for the initial wash before you even start making the hair. It\u2019s recommended to wash at least one day before the installation to allow the hair to air-dry naturally.<\/li>
  2. Six to eight packs of hair, depending on how long and thick you want the style to turn out. If you only want short and thin braids, five packs of hair should do, but getting six keeps you on the safe side.<\/li>
  3. A parting comb and a couple of clips to part your hair into sections and hold them together.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How to Do Box Braids Protective Hairstyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    To make box braids yourself, you need to start by shampooing and conditioning your hair. Of course, you\u2019ll need to take your hair apart if you have one installed previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then, using shampoo and conditioner, wash your hair properly to ensure it\u2019s at its best state. It helps to complete this step around a day or two before installing the hairstyle to ensure it air-dries properly. If you don\u2019t mind using heat, you can wash and use a drier on the same day to make the process quicker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After washing and drying your hair, you may want to detangle it with a comb. Removing the tangles makes your hair easier to braid, which helps a lot if you\u2019re installing the style yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also, you may want to trim your hair if there are split ends to ensure you have a clean-looking result eventually. The trimming process marks the end of prepping your hair for box braids; at this point, you can jump into the hairstyle proper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To start, follow the steps below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Section the hair<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first step in doing box braids is sectioning your hair. There are different ways to go about it, but my favorite is sectioning your hair into two roughly equal parts. Using the clips you got earlier, clip one half to prevent it from getting in your way while plaiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then, divide the unclipped part of your hair into two roughly equal parts to create two new sections and clip one of the sections down. At this point, you can apply any styling products you intend to use to the loose part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Section the extensions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Just like with every other step in this tutorial, sectioning the hair extensions can be achieved using many different methods. Whatever gives you what\u2019s plenty enough to make your hair will work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s crucial to note that human hair extensions are longer-lasting, but you\u2019ll be dealing with a lot of frizz. On the other hand, synthetic hair extensions give you an escape from frizz but will be less likely to survive immersion in water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Start braiding the hair<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In the small unclipped section, take a pinch of hair and braid it with some hair extension to form a single strand. Instead of making it to be cornrow-style, you should go for straight braids that leave the sections looking like little boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Complete the entire section and move on to the next section<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Depending on how large you want the braids to be, the individual sections should have about 20 braids. Once you\u2019re done with the first quarter, unclip the next and start braiding it just like the preceding one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After braiding the first two sections, head over to the other half and separate it into two sections like the one you\u2019ve just done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you want some extra flair to the style, you may try some modifications to the default look; like changing the color of the extensions, making it extra tiny, or making it extra large. Here are some examples to inspire you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    18 Pretty Box Braids Protective Styles You’ll Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    1. Shoulder-Length Mid-Sized Box Knotless Braids<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Shoulder-Length
    @ofilistyles<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    2. Long Small Box Braids <\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Long
    @_laydidthat_<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    3. Top Bun Box Braids with Curls <\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Top
    @styledbytherealb<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    4. Box Braids with Neat Edges<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Box
    @stylezbythebrat<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    5. Brunette Curly Box Braids<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Brunette
    @infinity_beautylounge<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    6. Black Long Knotless Box Braids<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Black
    @hairbytiaa<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    7. Waist Length Box Braids<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Waist
    @perfectedbykey<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    8. Jumbo Long Box Braids with Curls<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Jumbo
    @the_hairserver_sj<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    9. Jumbo Shoulder-Length Box Braids with Curls<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Jumbo
    @hairbymarienesther<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    10. Small Knotless Braids with Curly Ends<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Small
    @houseofiye<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    11. Mixed Tone Box Braids<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Mixed
    @braidsby.synara_<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    12. Red Long Knotless Box Braids with Curly Ends<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Red
    @braidedbybri_clt<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    13. Love-Shaped Box Braid Hairdo<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Love-Shaped
    @sasheamari<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    14. Classic Black Knotless Box Braids <\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Classic
    @braided_strands<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    15. Red Straight Box Braids <\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Red
    @ebenezerhairbraiding<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    16. Ombre Knotless Box Braids <\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Ombre
    @finessedbydeb<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    17. Pink Box Braids with Curls<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Pink
    @eemy_trancas<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    18. Simple Box Braids<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Simple
    @finessedbydeb<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Box braid hairstyles make one of the most common protective hairstyles, and it\u2019s not even a debate. There are many kinds of box braids as you\u2019ll see later, but they all work to protect your hair in a similar way. Talking about box braids, there are knotted (regular) and knotless box braids. Some other hairstyles…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":716,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":18,"label":"Braid Hairstyles"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/how-to-make-box-braids-protective-hairstyle-1024x536.jpg",1024,536,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Helen Eme","author_link":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/author\/helenemma\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":18,"name":"Braid Hairstyles","slug":"braid-hairstyles","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":18,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Hey, Welcome to Sisters' Bombshell, in this section of the blog, I'll be sharing with you some of the best braid hairstyles for women that you'll find inspiring. Just make sure to stick around and do not forget to follow us on our social media handle, most especially Instagram to get daily hairstyle inspiration.","parent":15,"count":17,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":18,"category_count":17,"category_description":"Hey, Welcome to Sisters' Bombshell, in this section of the blog, I'll be sharing with you some of the best braid hairstyles for women that you'll find inspiring. Just make sure to stick around and do not forget to follow us on our social media handle, most especially Instagram to get daily hairstyle inspiration.","cat_name":"Braid Hairstyles","category_nicename":"braid-hairstyles","category_parent":15}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=593"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":743,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593\/revisions\/743"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/716"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbombshell.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}