Considering Box Braids? Here's Everything You Need to Know

A photo posted by Beyonc?? (@beyonce) on May 30, 2014 at 11:22am PDT

Lipstick: If you're considering box braids, what makes you a good candidate? Length of hair? Condition of it? Texture? Lifestyle?

Jennifer Vanel: Box braids are great for a person 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. But this service requires time, so be prepared to sit for a few hours or more!

L: How often do you need to get them rebraided?

__JV:__A few weeks or months—it depends on how long you decide to keep them in. When removing your braids, have someone help you because the process can be tedious. Start at the bottom, and unbraid your hair using a comb to help detangle your real hair from any hair pieces added. If your stylist used synthetic hair, he or she might have used a flame to bind the synthetic hair at the ends, which means you'll need to cut the ends before you start to unbraid them.

__L:__What's the trick to making them last? If you're going to sit that long, you don't want them to unravel!

__JV:__In order for them to last longer, they need to be nice and tight to the root. That doesn't mean they need to be uncomfortable though. If you're tender-headed, start off with large box braids to see if you can tolerate them.

__L:__What should you do before going in to the salon?

__JV:__They don't require anything before having them done, but I would suggest having your scalp free of any product. And don't get any chemical treatments before having your braids done.

L: How do you maintain them?

__JV:__Try not to pull them too tightly when you style them. And use a silk pillowcase when you go to sleep. You should also beware of using too many products because it can cause build up. Shampoo as needed but not too often, too much manipulation will cause flyaways.

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