Stunning Box Braids with Scalp Braids in the Back: Ultimate Style Guide You Can’t Miss!

Introduction to Box Braids

Protective styles for natural hair are a must, especially as summer approaches, and box braids never disappoint. These styles are timeless and beloved by celebrities like Zendaya, Rihanna, and Zoë Kravitz for good reason. They keep natural hair protected, encourage hair growth, and provide a much-needed break from daily styling.

“They can support hair growth by keeping your ends tucked away and reducing manipulation, as long as you maintain proper care and avoid excessive tension,” says Suzette Boozer, celebrity hairstylist and Dippity-Do curly-hair expert. Box braids are most often installed with extensions and come in various lengths, sizes, and colors. When creating the style, synthetic hair is braided into box-shaped parts of hair, achieving a longer style that forms a protective barrier around natural strands.

Compared to loose natural hair, box-braid styles are a very low-maintenance hairstyle. They are not prone to immediate frizz after getting wet, making them perfect for vacations, and mostly require sleeping with a satin scarf or bonnet to help maintain shine and prevent breakage.

Illustration showing the structure of a box braid with extensions

What to Know Before Getting Box Braids

If you are considering getting box braids, there are a few things to keep in mind, according to Ursula Stephen, celebrity hairstylist and global ambassador for Tresemmé. First, it’s best to treat and trim your hair beforehand. Natural hair is often blow-dried prior to installation to make the process easier for your stylist, so you can have your ends cut then.

Stephen recommends researching your stylist beforehand and being conscious of the sensitive parts of your scalp during the braiding process. “If you have a thin or weak hairline, then you shouldn’t put excess tension on those areas,” she warns. The style of box braids involves extensions pulling on hair, making it better suited for thicker, coilier, and coarser curl types. To avoid hair damage, steer clear of this style if your hair is of a thinner texture, as the braiding hair might struggle to find a grip.

The History of Box Braids

Braids can be traced back 5,000 years in African culture to 3500 BC. Braiding began in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia. In some African tribes, braided hairstyles were considered a unique way to distinguish each tribe from the others. Box braids, specifically, stem from Egypt in 3100 BC but gained newfound popularity in the 1990s.

Choosing the Right Box Braid Style

“Consider how you’d like to wear your braids. Smaller braids allow for more styling options and flexibility, while larger braids create a more uniform, stationary look,” says Boozer. “Think about your lifestyle and maintenance preferences when deciding.”

Types of Box Braids

Box braids come in various styles such as micro, jumbo, and knotless. You can also add color by having dyed strands braided into the style. “Box braids are an excellent protective style suitable for any season,” says Boozer. “They require minimal daily styling, making it easy to just get up and go. They’re also a fun way to experiment with different colors without chemically processing your natural hair.”

Knotless Box Braids

This particular style is the knotless version, which comes without the traditional knot at the start of the braid. They’re often more comfortable and put less tension on your scalp and edges.

Micro Box Braids

If you have the patience to wait, we highly recommend trying micro box braids. The extra-small style lasts longer than regular small or medium braids. Plus, the finished look is a minimalist dream.

Jumbo Box Braids

“Twinnem” rapper Coi Leray is known for her signature hairdo-jumbo box braids with small spiral curls at the end-leading the style to boom across Insta feeds everywhere. The great thing about large box braids like these is they won’t take all day to install. Alternatively, because of their size, they also won’t last as long. If you’re looking for a protective style for a quick getaway or event, though, these are a great option.

Bob Box Braids

Take a trip back in time with a braided bob. This jumbo version seen on Jourdan Dunn is a perfect nod to the ’90s (especially the half-up, half-down style), and the hints of gold add an extra layer of fun.

Triangle Box Braids

Triangle box braids are exactly what you think they are: Instead of having the sections of hair form a square, the stylist makes a triangle instead.

Collage of various box braid styles: micro, jumbo, knotless, bob, and triangle sections

Maintenance and Care for Box Braids

How Long Do Box Braids Last?

Although box braids are a protective style that allows for minimal hair manipulation, it’s important not to leave them in for too long. “Typically, box braids can last anywhere from four to eight weeks depending on how you care for them and your hair’s natural texture,” says Deisy Alfaro, Dippity-Do curly-hair expert. “After that point, the roots can loosen and buildup starts to affect the scalp, so it’s important not to stretch them beyond that window.”

Are Box Braids Low-Maintenance?

Yes, box braids are extremely low-maintenance. You can wash them, swim in them, and work out with limited frizz. This makes them perfect for vacations or wearing during the warmer months.

What Helps Box Braids Last Longer?

Even though box-braid styles like a box-braid bob or even goddess-style box braids are meant to be low-maintenance, they still require some care. “You still need to hydrate and cleanse the scalp,” Alfaro says. “I recommend using the Dippity-Do Girls With Curls Curl Boost Spray on your scalp and braids a few times a week. It’s light, smells amazing, and adds moisture without buildup. A diluted shampoo or scalp cleanser can be used every two to three weeks, followed by a leave-in to keep the braids looking fresh.”

Once you have your box braids in, it’s easy to forget about your actual from-the-root hair, which, yes, still requires moisturizing. There are plenty of curly-hair products designed to soften the hair and reduce itching associated with keeping a style in for too long. “Products that have penetrating ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil are great to use while wearing these styles,” says Stephen. As for when to take them down, she recommends keeping them in for no more than two months.

Image of someone applying scalp spray to box braids

The Process of Getting Box Braids

The hair is first washed thoroughly, deep conditioned, and detangled. “This part is key,” says Alfaro. “I always recommend using the Dippity-Do Girls With Curls Ultra-Hydrating Coconut Curl Styling Cream beforehand to soften and hydrate the hair.” She goes on to explain that the hair is sectioned into square parts, which is where the style gets its name. Synthetic or natural hair extensions are then added and braided into the hair. “The whole process can take several hours depending on length and thickness, but the results are so worth it,” she says.

Pros and Cons of Box Braids

As with any hair decision, there are pros and cons that should be taken into account. While one pro is its protective nature, a downside is that installing box braids can be very time-consuming. Boozer notes that “one of the biggest pros is versatility-you can wear them down, in a ponytail, half-up styles, or buns, unlike cornrows, which usually stay in one fixed look. On the downside, you must be gentle when styling and pay extra attention to your hairline to avoid tension and breakage.”

Is Hair Shedding Normal After Removing Box Braids?

Yes, some hair shedding after removing box-braid styles is totally normal. Boozer explains, “On average, you naturally shed up to 100 strands a day, but when your hair is braided, you don’t see that daily shedding.” She continues, “When you take the braids out, you’ll notice the accumulated shed hair. However, excessive shedding can occur if the braids were too tight or handled roughly.”

Is It Bad to Wear Box Braids All the Time?

It’s not bad to wear box braids regularly, but giving your hair a break in between installs is important to keep the hair healthy. “Continuous tension can weaken your hairline over time,” says Alfaro. “I recommend a two-week break in between and focusing on scalp care and protein treatments in between.”

Can Box Braids Damage Your Hair?

One of the main reasons for getting box braids is that it's a protective style. However, there are certain instances when they might actually do more harm than good. Alfaro explains that this style should never be installed too tightly or left in for too long. “Braids should never feel painful or cause tension bumps,” she explains. “I always tell clients: If it hurts, it’s too tight. Also, skipping aftercare or using heavy products can lead to buildup and breakage.”

Take Out Box Braids in 20 Minutes?! | FAST HACK

Inspiring Box Braid Styles

Now that we have the basics out of the way, here are some of the coolest box-braid ideas to consider. The style options are endless, from knotless box braids and goddess braids to bob braids and box braids with beads.

Shiny Box Braids

If you want your braids to look glossy like Zendaya’s, make sure to keep a container of mousse on hand. That, paired with a little hair oil, will surely do the trick.

Photo of Zendaya with glossy, medium-sized box braids

Low Pony Box Braids

An elegant low pony is the perfect way to style your braids out of your face. Instead of a hair tie, try wrapping a single braid around the pony for a seamless look.

Raindrop Box Braids

Who needs jewelry when you have hair accessories? These raindrop beads are the perfect addition to a box-braid hairstyle.

Boho Knotless Box Braids

Blondes come in many shades-platinum, strawberry, and of course, honey. Opt for a warmer honey blonde hue in a boho style this season.