Box Braids

Box Braids is the classic protective style — neat, sectioned plaits that tuck your hair away for weeks and style a dozen ways. Durable, versatile and timeless.

It adapts to your hair type with small tweaks, which is part of why it's so universally loved. Read on for the step-by-step, the products and the pro tips.

How to get the look

1. 1

   Start on clean, towel-dried hair and mist with heat protectant.

2. 2

   Rough-dry, then section and shape with a round brush or wand.

3. 3

   Define the style — waves, volume or sleekness — working in small pieces.

4. 4

   Set with a flexible hairspray and break it up with your fingers.

What you'll need

Hand-picked products — tap to shop on Amazon or Google Shopping.

• Round brushOlivia Garden ceramic round brush
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• Ionic blow dryerDyson Supersonic hair dryer
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• Heat protectantColor Wow Dream Coat heat protectant
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• Curling wandghd curve curling wand
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• Sectioning clipsDiane sectioning hair clips
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• Texturizing sprayOribe Dry Texturizing Spray
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• HairsprayLOreal Elnett hairspray
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Your step-by-step product routine

Use them in this order for the best, longest-lasting result.

1. 1

   Protect. On damp hair, mist a heat protectant (Color Wow Dream Coat) from root to tip — it shields the strand and cuts heat damage by up to 70%.

2. 2

   Rough-dry. Take hair to 80% dry with an ionic dryer (Dyson Supersonic) to fight frizz, then smooth and lift the roots with the round brush.

3. 3

   Section. Clip hair into sections (Diane clips) and work one at a time — small sections give a far cleaner, longer-lasting result.

4. 4

   Shape. Style each section with the wand or brush (ghd), curling away from the face and leaving the ends out for a modern bend.

5. 5

   Texture. Once cool, work in a little texturising spray (Oribe) for grit, separation and movement.

6. 6

   Set. Mist a flexible hairspray (Elnett) and break the shape up with your fingers so it moves instead of helmet-setting.

Pro tips

• Cool each curl fully before touching it — heat sets the shape as it cools.
• Use a boar-bristle brush to distribute oils and add natural shine.
• Less product, placed well, beats a lot of product everywhere.
• Curl away from the face for the most flattering, modern bend.

How to make it last

Protect the shape while you sleep and it'll last a second or third day with minimal effort.

• Loose top-knot or silk bonnet at night
• A blast of cool air revives a flat section
• Dry shampoo at the roots buys you another day

Common mistakes to avoid

• Styling soaking-wet hair — get to 80% dry first or it won't hold.
• Cranking the heat to maximum — most hair styles fine at moderate temps.
• Curling everything in one direction so it looks stiff.

FAQ