Box Braids: All About Routine-Part 1

The box braids, those good old mats with additions, are back. Many stars have adopted them, such as Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, or Zoe Kravitz. MCA gives you all its tips to take advantage of these so-called protective braids and trends.

DETERMINE STYLE FOR BETTER RESULTS

For an optimal result and a long performance of the box braid, it is necessary to know well to determine its expectations and its choices upstream.

> The choice and the length of the wicks

The "rule of four" introduced by Clarisse Libène, founder of Belle Ebène website and organizer of the Natural HairAcademy event, is a good benchmark to adapt according to each: "no more than four packets, no more than four weeks, no more than four times in the year ". Kanekalon fiber bundles -leader synthetic wicks - are commonly used for their flexibility, lightness, and versatility. There are a variety of colors and textures ranging from the smoothest to the most frizzy. MCA tip: To prevent any form of allergy, it may be helpful to soak the wicks for a few minutes in cold or lukewarm water diluted with a little shampoo. Then lightly dab the material with a towel. Be careful, these wicks cannot withstand the heat of the hair dryer, it is necessary to let them air dry without wringing them out. Regarding the length, everything depends on the desired style. On the shoulders, the box braids do not put too much pressure on the scalp. Long, they require more hair. Depending on the density and health of your hair, you must determine a reasonable length. The thickness also plays a role in the final result. If the hair is thin, it is better to avoid making too large, so heavy mats, which would exert too much pressure on the cosmetology mannequin head.

> The route: what impact on the scalp?

Depending on the desired style, there are different plots: the square shape is one of the most realized, but the rendering can be irregular and the mats are much more spaced. It is the same for the triangle shape which requires a greater thickness of locks. But "the wick must not be twice as thick as the section we are going to matter," warns Aline Tacite, responsible for the Salon By BE and founder of the event Boucles d'Ébène. It is better to bet on circles-like patterns for more regular mats. And make sure you have a good look and look.