Looking for a nice design for your hair this season? Go through these different types of braids and choose the best from box braids vs. knotless ones. Scalp hairs are an important source of attraction.
Good hair growth makes you feel confident and allows you to try new patterns, especially for women. With the advancement in hair treatment nowadays, it has become easier to maintain the growth and glossiness of hair.
These treatments involve the usage of many chemicals, heat, etc., to get the desired results like straightening of hair. If you want a heat-free hair treatment, the protective hairstyle is a perfect fit.
Apart from this, hair braids not only look attractive but also are a great option for curly-haired women. Here are certain differences that will help you choose from box braids and knotless.
What are Box Braids?
If you are planning to get a new look for a longer duration, traditional box braids are a great choice to consider. Box braids have been practiced as a protective hairstyle for many years.
In this method, you add one piece of extension hair to your real hair and then braid it, which tends to make a knot at the top. Box braids are an inexpensive method of hairstyle and can be braided in a shorter time. When you are thinking of getting braids, you should consider certain criteria, like your hair type and texture.
If you have thinner or fine texture type hair, the box braid method is for you, as they are long lasting and will not get slipped or disturbed by sweat and other activities.
According to your lifestyle and personal preference, the box braids can be considered, as they remain neat, frizz-free, and do not fall apart easily. Hence, you get an overall good grip and health of the braid even in water.
Apart from this, you can create three different types of hairstyle in box braid: small, medium, and large. With the help of Kalekon hair extensions, you can make attractive box braid hairstyles with different colors.
How to Make Box Braids?
Box braids are heat-free protective methods that look attractive and give a professional look. These braids can also be DIY at home and are easy to handle. Here is a guide to making box braids at home.
- Before braiding your hair, make sure to clean it and air dry on the previous day. If you want to manage your curly hair properly, you can also choose to make plaits or blow dry them before braiding. By making plaits, your natural hair will remain stretched enough.
- Make sure you divide your hair into 5 to 6 parts in the front and back so that you can easily create box braids. Afterward, apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair, especially the ends, so that it remains moisturized and healthy in the braids.
- Start braiding with any one side, front or back; meanwhile, tie the other side. You can create any kind of box braid, small, medium, or large, for a refreshing look.
- Once you have made sections in the hair, apply hair jam on each root of the hair. This will help control the edges, keep the hair frizz-free, and give a nice odor.
- Brush the hair to make sure they are smooth and free of lumps. For a sleek edge, use an edge brush.
- If you are DIY box braids at home, you can consider tying each section with rubber bands. This will help keep the roots flat, give a tight grip to the box braids, and keep the box braids neater for a long time.
- It is advisable to pre-wash your pre-stretched braiding hair in white vinegar to remove the chemicals from the synthetic hair and avoid itchiness or any other negative reactions. Rinse the synthetic hair with water and allow it to dry before braiding.
- Usually, these synthetic hairs are straightened. If your natural hair is too curly compared to them, you can apply extra hair jam. This will make the real hair stretch and flatten out so it can blend easily with synthetic hair.
- The pre-stretched braided hair comes in medium-sized bundles, which need to be separated in equal parts as per the type of box braids you are making. From each bundle of hair, you can make at least 3 to 4 box braids.
- Each section of real hair will be attached to the synthetic hair. Fold the synthetic hair in half, pull out a piece of hair from one side, and bring it to the middle. This middle piece of hair will be lined up with real hair. Move forward by wrapping the other sides to start the three-stranded box braid.
- Continue the box braid till the bottom, especially braid the bottom tightly so it does not get unraveled and looks sleek. Use the same process for all other sections.
- Make sure to keep the three pieces equal so your braid looks uniform and nice. You can apply hair jam while making braids to reduce friction and make the process smoother and easier.
- Once all the hair is box braided, cut the uneven hair ends to make the hairstyle look lined up, natural, and beautiful. Later on, dip the ends in hot water to seal them. You can create a cleaner look by cutting the little pieces of hair that are coming out from the braid.
- For a final touch, use a slay and lay edge gel on the edges for a cleaner look and frame to the braids.
What are Knotless Braids?
Knotless braids came into existence because of the tension caused by box braids on the scalp. Apart from this, there were instances of hair breakage due to box braids. In the unending argument of box braids vs knotless, it solely depends on which hairstyle you prefer. When it comes to knotless braids, they are more expensive than traditional box braids and take a longer time to form.
In this protective hairstyle, there is the absence of knots on the roots of the hair, and it mostly consists of the feed-in method with the hair. The braided hair is added to the real ones in a continuous form without being too tight and causing tension on the scalp. The knotless braids are versatile in nature.
Because of their lightweight and absence of knots on the roots, you can create at least 10 to 12 different hairstyles on a daily basis. This will help you get casual, vacation, and even professional looks as and when required.
Knotless braids overall look great and also remain for a longer time. This protective hairstyle is convenient in every way; you can add accessories like headbands, change into colorful braided hair for different occasions, etc.
How to Make Knotless Braids?
Knotless braids are rising in popularity because of their convenience. In the debate of box braids vs knotless, you can start styling your braids in different hairstyles the same day you have the knotless braids. You can easily jump in the pool with this style without worrying about damage or frizziness.
Apart from this, with these braids, you do not have to worry about the water, you can go outside in any type of weather, and your hair will remain the same. You can wash these braids just like you wash your real hair without disturbing the hairstyle. Here is a guide to making knotless braids at home.
- Begin this protective hair styling with washed and dry hair. You can create as many sections as possible with different shapes, like stars, squares, etc, for an attractive look.
- Depending on the number of knotless braids and length, purchase the Kanekolan pre-stretched hair. You can be creative with these braids by choosing two different colors to give a highlighted touch to your hair.
- With the help of a Denman brush, stretch the braided hair so it can be easily de-tangled, and separate the number of braids required for your hairstyle beforehand. Make sure the pre-stretched hair is separated equally for a uniform look.
- Use a reg tail comb for making clean sections in your real hair. Smoothen your hair from roots to ends with moisturizer so it remains well-conditioned under the braids. You can also consider applying hair fertilizers to prevent dandruff growth while you have your braids.
- For keeping the knotless braids for a longer time and in neat condition, you can consider edge control and curling mousse for the hair. By using them, you’ll get a nice grip on the braids, and their texture will be maintained.
- Begin the process by fully detangling your with a wide tooth comb. You can part the hair as per your convenience, ear to ear, or parting half in the back and half in the front.
- Creating partitions helps frame the braids correctly and helps create equal parts so that your braids look neater.
- Apply hair jam on the parting areas to make it smooth and create a line of difference between the hair that is supposed to be braided and the ones that needs to be tucked.
- Start making knotless braids of your desired size with pre-separated hair. Divide the synthetic hair into unequal parts, where one is larger than the other.
- You will be making three parts of the synthetic hair by this separation. Make a criss-cross with the separated strands. The smaller piece of hair will be attached to your natural hair.
- You can make a knotless braid in different ways. The first way is braiding your natural hair for a small length and then adding synthetic braids as per requirement. The other option is placing one strand that you created above on your natural hair and then crisscrossing it with the other two strands.
- Placing the synthetic hair on your natural hair, you are not required to feed in braids now and then. This is a very simple method of knotless braiding that is very light on hair and does not create a knot or tension.
- The knotless braids mimic natural hair, as you cannot determine the difference between real and synthetic. Apart from this, the braids do not get bulky and can be easily moved up and down.
- You can be creative with the knotless braids by making curly ends or curly hairs in between the braids. You can also choose accessories like beads to seal the hair ends and look attractive.
How to Maintain Box and Knotless Braids?
Box braids vs knotless totally depend on personal preference. Both these styles elevate women’s looks and remain for a longer time. If you are a novice, you should find a professional who is well-versed in making braids initially. Once you know the method, you can definitely try it at home to save your time and budget.
- For your braids to last longer, make sure you follow the tucking method. In this method, your natural hair is hidden behind the synthetic hair.
- While deciding between box braids and knotless, always select a small or medium-sized braid. This will make it easier to handle, less in weight, and cause less frizz.
- Although box braids vs knotless are not affected by water immediately, in the longer run, the natural hair underneath the braids will start to frizz or revert. So it is advised not to wet the length of the hair, and instead, just wash the scalp. If your hair is in contact with salt water or chlorine, only then are you required to wash your hair regularly.
- While selecting from the box braids vs knotless, it is necessary to protect your hair in both conditions. It is inevitable to protect your hair in the shower while going outside or to bed. You can choose a satin bonnet or scarf in the shower and in bed to protect the hair from getting wet and losing its moisture.
- In both box braids vs knotless hairstyles, can last longer if the above measures are taken into account. If you want to take down the braids for a new style, you can cut a small chunk of hair with scissors and untangle the braids with detangling oil. Otherwise, knotless braids will start to unravel on their own after 4 to 6 weeks.
Conclusion
Braided hair has always been a trend and is not going to retire anytime. The styles and methods may change to make the braids look more attractive and be done quickly. Box braids vs knotless have their own set of followers.
For those who want a sturdy braid that can be done in less than three hours and falls under budget, the box braids are perfect for you.
For those who intend to create new styles that match their outfit and occasion and cause less scalp tension, the knotless braids are meant for them.
When it comes to knotless braids, the health of hair is maintained due to less tension on the scalp. But when it comes to fullness, the box braids take the front seat. The box braid vs. knotless is totally dependent on the individual.
With the DIY mentioned above, you can try both the protective hairstyle at home. The end result of both braids is a neat, nice, and attractive-looking hairstyle.
