Now that you've canceled your meetings for the day, called out of work, and sat in your stylist's chair for more than six hours, your box braids are complete and you can give your Instagram-feed the Poetic Justice vibes it's been needing; but we all know that after a week or two, we're ready to free our tresses from their shackles and move on to a new style. To remedy this problem, we've searched the internet far and wide and compiled a list of ways to upgrade your traditional box braids into a whole masterpiece.
Nothing is more sacred to a Black woman than a fresh set of individuals and xoNecole is here to provide you with the perfect guide to how you can hook yours up just in time for the holiday season.
Here's a list of some of our favorite celebrity-inspired box braid styles that gives this old school hairstyle a modern makeover.
1.Ashley Blaine Featherson
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Ashley Blaine Featherson gave her box braid style a throwback feel by opting to put it into a half ponytail styled to the side.
2.Yvonne Orji
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Yvonne Orji achieved full queen status at ESSENCE's Black Women in Hollywood Awards this year and adorned her braided crown with a gold headband.
3.Teyonah Parris
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Teyonah Parris rocked this embellished box braid look in 2016 and it still hasn't gone out of style. Level up your look from simple to sophisticated by adding a floral element to your braided ponytail.
4.Skai Jackson
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This braided bow makes 17-year-old actress Skai Jackson look wise beyond her years, so it's sure to help you get your grown and sexy energy all the way together and you can learn exactly how to accomplish this style here.
5.Amandla Stenberg
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Amandla Stenberg gave her braids the ultimate upgrade by implementing different hues of blue braiding hair.
6.Jessica Williams
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Jessica Williams is a pro at box braids and proves that this look is perfect for days when you're prepared to let your jewelry and makeup be the stars of the show.
7.Danai Gurira
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Danai Gurira is always giving us the natural hair inspo we didn't know we needed, and this threaded box braid up-do is no exception.
8.Tessa Thompson
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Tessa Thompson can do no wrong, and her braids are everything that's right in this world.
9.Amandla Stenberg
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Queen of rocking braids on the red carpet, Amandla Stenberg stuns again, this time with an asymmetrical box braid bob. We couldn't help but add sis to the line-up.
10.Bantu Braids
Jessica Williams came through with the come through yet again with this Bantu braided style that we can't wait to try this winter.
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Featured image by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for InStyle.
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Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
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A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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