Box braids are a popular and stylish protective hairstyle that can offer both a trendy look and protection for your natural hair. If you’re aiming to achieve long box braids that are not only beautiful but also durable, here’s a comprehensive guide.
Preparing Your Hair
Before you even start the braiding process, it’s crucial to prepare your natural hair properly.
Cleanse and Condition
Start by thoroughly washing your hair with a gentle shampoo. This helps to remove any dirt, oil, and product buildup on your scalp and hair strands. Use lukewarm water as hot water can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause dryness.
After shampooing, apply a deep conditioner. Focus on the ends of your hair as they are usually the driest part. Let the conditioner sit for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the product instructions. You can cover your hair with a plastic cap and use a towel-wrapped heating pad to enhance the conditioning effect if needed. This step helps to hydrate and strengthen your hair, making it more resilient during the braiding process.
Detangle
Once you’ve rinsed out the conditioner, gently detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb or your fingers. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots. This helps to prevent breakage during the braiding process. If you encounter any knots that are difficult to remove, apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or detangling spray to ease the process.
Dry Your Hair
Pat your hair dry with a soft towel. Avoid rubbing vigorously as this can cause frizz and breakage. You can also let your hair air dry partially or completely, depending on your preference. If you’re in a hurry, you can use a blow dryer on a low heat setting, keeping it at least 6 inches away from your hair to prevent heat damage.
Gathering the Necessary Tools and Materials
To create long box braids, you’ll need the right tools and materials on hand.
Hair Extensions
Choose high-quality hair extensions that match your natural hair texture and color as closely as possible.
Synthetic hair can be used for a more budget-friendly option, but human hair extensions generally look more natural and are easier to style. For long box braids, you’ll need enough extensions to achieve the desired length. Measure the length you want your braids to be from your scalp and purchase extensions accordingly.
When buying hair extensions, look for ones that are soft, tangle-free, and have a good thickness. Thinner extensions may result in skinnier braids that won’t give the full, long look you’re aiming for.
Combs
A wide-toothed comb is essential for detangling your natural hair before braiding. Additionally, a small rat-tail comb can be useful for creating clean parts and for separating sections of hair during the braiding process.
Hair Clips
Use hair clips to separate your hair into sections as you work. This helps to keep the hair organized and makes the braiding process more efficient. You can use regular bobby pins or larger alligator clips depending on the thickness of your hair.
Rubber Bands
Small rubber bands are needed to secure the ends of the braids. Make sure to choose rubber bands that are not too tight to avoid cutting off circulation to the hair strands but tight enough to hold the braids in place.
Edge Control or Gel
If you want to smooth down your edges and create a sleek look, an edge control product or hair gel can be applied to your hairline. This helps to keep the hair in place and gives a polished appearance to your box braids.
The Braiding Process
Now that your hair is prepared and you have all the necessary tools, it’s time to start braiding.
Sectioning Your Hair
Begin by parting your hair into small, even sections using the rat-tail comb. The size of the sections will depend on how thick or thin you want your braids to be. For longer box braids, it’s often better to have slightly thinner sections as they will look more defined and less bulky. You can use hair clips to hold each section in place as you work on the others.
Start from the front of your head and work your way back, creating a row of sections across the top of your head. Then, continue with the sides and the back of your head until all of your hair is sectioned.
Attaching the Extensions
Take a section of your natural hair and a corresponding amount of hair extensions. Fold the extensions in half and place the folded end against the root of your natural hair section. Use a small rubber band to tie the natural hair and the extensions together at the root. Make sure the rubber band is snug but not too tight.
You can also use a braiding hair glue if you prefer a more secure attachment. Apply a small amount of glue to the root of the natural hair section and then press the folded end of the extensions onto it. Hold for a few seconds until the glue sets. However, be careful when using glue as it can be difficult to remove and may cause damage to your natural hair if not used properly.
Starting the Box Braid
Once the extensions are attached, you’re ready to start braiding. Take the combined section of natural hair and extensions and divide it into three equal parts. Cross the right section over the middle section, then cross the left section over the new middle section. This is the basic three-strand braid pattern.
As you continue braiding, gradually incorporate small amounts of additional hair from the sides of the section into each strand. This is what gives the box braid its characteristic “boxed” appearance. Keep the tension on the braid even as you work to ensure a neat and uniform look.
Continuing the Braiding
Keep braiding down the length of the combined section, incorporating more hair from the sides as you go. Make sure to keep the braid tight enough to hold its shape but not so tight that it pulls uncomfortably on your scalp. If you notice any lumps or unevenness in the braid, gently adjust the strands as you braid to smooth them out.
When you reach the end of the section, use a small rubber band to secure the braid. You can trim the ends of the extensions if they are too long or leave them as they are for a more dramatic look.
Repeating the Process
Repeat the steps of attaching the extensions, starting the box braid, and continuing the braiding for each section of your hair until all of your hair is braided into long box braids. Take your time with each braid to ensure a high-quality result.
Maintaining Your Long Box Braids
Once you’ve achieved your long box braids, proper maintenance is key to keeping them looking good and lasting long.
Washing Your Braids
You can wash your box braids, but it’s important to do it carefully. Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of gentle shampoo. Gently dunk your braids into the water and swish them around to distribute the shampoo. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the braids vigorously as this can cause frizz and tangling.
Rinse the braids thoroughly with lukewarm water until all the shampoo is removed. You can then apply a small amount of conditioner to the braids, focusing on the ends. Let the conditioner sit for a few minutes and then rinse it out.
After washing, gently squeeze out any excess water from the braids with a towel. Do not twist or wring the braids as this can damage them. Let the braids air dry completely before styling or sleeping on them.
Moisturizing Your Hair
Even though your hair is braided, it’s still important to keep it moisturized. You can use a leave-in conditioner or a braid spray to apply moisture to your natural hair underneath the braids. Spray the product onto your scalp and along the length of the braids, then gently massage it in. This helps to prevent dryness and breakage.
Additionally, you can use a small amount of oil, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil, on the ends of the braids to keep them soft and prevent splitting. Apply a tiny drop of oil to your fingertips and rub it onto the ends of each braid.
Protecting Your Braids at Night
At night, it’s important to protect your long box braids to prevent tangling and flattening. You can wear a satin or silk bonnet or wrap your head in a satin or silk scarf. These materials are smooth and slippery, which allows the braids to move freely without getting caught on rough fabrics like cotton.
If you prefer not to wear a bonnet or scarf, you can also sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase. This provides a similar level of protection for your braids.
Avoiding Excessive Manipulation
Try to avoid constantly touching and playing with your braids as this can cause frizz and loosen the braids over time. Only style or adjust your braids when necessary, such as when you need to re-tie a loose rubber band or smooth down your edges.
Also, avoid pulling or tugging on the braids, especially near the roots, as this can cause pain and potentially damage your natural hair and the extensions.
Checking for and Fixing Loose Braids
Regularly check your braids for any loose ends or sections that have come undone. If you notice a loose braid, you can carefully re-braid it using the same technique as before. If a rubber band has come loose, replace it with a new one to ensure the braid stays in place.
Styling Your Long Box Braids
Long box braids offer a lot of versatility when it comes to styling.
Updos
You can create a variety of updos with your long box braids. For example, you can gather all the braids into a high ponytail and then twist or braid the ponytail to create a more elaborate look. Another option is to create a bun by wrapping the braids around a hair donut or by simply twisting and pinning the braids into a circular shape.
Updos are great for formal occasions or when you want to keep your hair out of your face.
Half-Up, Half-Down Styles
A half-up, half-down style is a popular and easy way to style long box braids. Simply gather the top half of your braids and secure them with a hair tie or clips. You can leave the remaining braids down for a casual yet stylish look. This style is perfect for everyday wear or for a more laid-back event.
Adding Accessories
To enhance the look of your long box braids, you can add various accessories. For example, you can thread colorful beads through the braids for a fun and bohemian look. You can also attach ribbons or small flowers to the ends of the braids for a more feminine touch.
Hair clips with jewels or other decorative elements can also be used to clip the braids in different ways, adding a touch of glamour to your hairstyle.
Conclusion
Creating long box braids requires careful preparation of your natural hair, the right tools and materials, a proper braiding process, and ongoing maintenance. By following these steps from a professional perspective, you can achieve beautiful, long box braids that will not only look great but also protect your natural hair for an extended period of time. Remember to be patient during the process and take good care of your braids once they’re done to ensure they stay in top condition.
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