Boxer Braids Tutorial: 10 Steps To A Perfect Boxer Braid
Braids are among women’s favorite hairdos since the beginning of times! However, one of them has become the current darling: the boxer braids. The style is named that way because is the hairdo fighters choose to hold back their hair during the fight, so they don’t get all over their faces and in the way of the combat.
It became famous in 2021 and nowadays it’s still successful among several women, celebrities or not. Among celebrities who joined the trend to go to the beach, to fashion shows, concerts or even walk stylishly on the red carpet are the beautiful Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, and Rita Ora.
Even bloggers and YouTubers decided to adopt the hairstyle to stand out on the screen or social networks, like the gorgeous Thássia Naves and Chiara Feragni.
After all, boxer braids are quite versatile and convenient, can be done on all types of hair on all kinds of occasions, from typical daily ones to formal.
Boxer Braids: An Amazing Hairstyle to Try
Admit it: you even saw someone with a boxer braid and thought how cool it would look on your hair too, didn’t you? Well then! With that in mind, in today’s post, you’ll learn how to do a perfect boxer braid step by step, with tips to choose the hairdo’s style that best suits you without the need to go to a hair salon to look beautiful and cool.
That’s right! Even though the hairdo looks complicated, you can do a boxer braid by yourself and at home. After a little practice, you’ll see you’ll be able to learn how to do the boxer braid quickly! Let’s go!
Boxer Braids Vs. Box Braids: The Differences
Despite the similarity in the names, which makes many people mix up the hairdos, these types of braids are totally different. Box braid, which you already read about here in the blog, consists of afro style braids, and are done on the locks with synthetic hair. So, it’s a type of hair extension, only with braids.
Boxer braid, on the other hand, refers to the style used by boxers or MMA fighters to tie the hair up during combat. So, from now on, you won’t mix them up anymore, ok?
Fresh Boxer Braids Styles to Try
As mentioned before, the boxer braid is super democratic, suits all hair textures and can be styled in several different ways, as we’ll show you next. Pick the one that best suits your personality and goes for it!
1. One-sided boxer braid
Having muse Jennifer Lopez as one of the supporters of the style, the single boxer braid, which means, a boxer braid on only one side of the head, suits all hair types and can be made by any woman, from the most discreet to the coolest ones, regardless of the occasion.
However, according to current hairstylists, this model suits even better women with long hair, since the longer the braid is, the better it looks.
2. French boxer braid (traditional)
This is the most common and classic type of boxer braid: the French braid. You can do several different versions of the hairdo with it, from the single braid, as shown above, to double braids (the most traditional ones), three or even four braids.
In practice, hair is braided from the roots, braiding the strands little by little and securing the entire hair.
3. Reverse Boxer Braid
The reverse version of the braid, which means braiding by crossing the strands under the middle one, is also one that celebrities use the most. As well as inverting the original hairdo, you can choose to loosen up the strands, giving it a more relaxed look and making your locks seem fuller.
Throughout this article, you’ll learn how to do the double French reverse braid, which is the most classic one.
4. Boxer braid with the ponytail
Perfect for women with medium to long hair, the boxer braid with a ponytail is a stylish and relaxed do that really suits girls who like to play around with possibilities or have thin hair. You can go for one or more braids and even wear the ponytail straight or “messier”, to give the strands a bit more thickness.
5. Boxer braids with a bun
In the same train of thought as the previous style, the boxer braid with a bun is also perfect for women with thin hair who don’t want the ends too small. Just as in the ponytail, you can loosen up the strands to finish off the hairdo to make it look fuller, as well as secure the bun higher or lower on the head.
6. Boxer braids with buns on top of the head
Worn and adapted by the gorgeous socialite Kim Kardashian, the boxer braid with small buns on top of the head is a favorite among women. In addition to making it look beautiful, it’s a modern and bold hairdo, perfect for those who like to leave tradition behind. However, according to specialists, the style suits better women who like getting attention and preferably have a full, long hair to obtain a neat effect.
7. Connected boxer braids
If you’re skilled with your hands, you can go for the connected boxer braid to obtain a beautiful and laid-back look. Both braids connected on the back of the head on this hairdo, so you have to do both at the same time.
Wonder if you can do it? Of course, you can! Remember that it may be difficult at first, but with practice, you can master it and become faster and faster at doing this braid.
How to Style Boxer Braids
Now that you know more about the boxer braid, it’s time to learn how to make one of its most frequently worn and classic styles: the French boxer braid, but its reverse version. In this case, we’ll teach you the double braid version, which is the traditional form of the hairstyle.
Step 1: With your hair clean and dry, apply serum or mousse to give texture to the strands.
Step 2: Then, split your hair in the middle, with a line going from the forehead to the nape of your neck.
Step 3: Tuck one of the sides in a bun and begin braiding the other.
Step 4: Start braiding splitting three strands close to the forehead, pulling them back, as shown in the image below.
Step 5: To obtain the bumpy look of the reverse braid, instead of crossing the strands over the middle one, cross them under instead, as in the image shown below.
Step 6: At this point, you can also choose the position of your boxer braid according to the final effect you wish to achieve. It looks more aggressive on the top of the head, for example. Close to the ears, as in the image below, in a half-moon shape, it can look more romantic. It’s your choice!
Step 7: When the strands reach the nape of your neck, begin tightly braiding the hair with a simple traditional braid until the end, so it’s very close to the head.
Step 8: Repeat the whole process on the other side of the hair.
Step 9: Hairstylists recommend that you always braid it very tight, so it looks tidy. Only after you’re done, if you want the “messy” and more laid-back look, you can loosen the strands.
Step 10: Another tip is letting loose a few strands in the front to make it look more romantic. If you prefer a more polished braid, just keep them very tight with all strands secured.
Watch The Following Tutorial about How to Do Boxer Braid Very Simply
When to wear it?
As you can tell by this post, the boxer braid can be worn in several occasions, from daily, regular situations to formal ones. With all the options, you can wear the hairstyle to party with your friends, since it suits all kinds of looks, regardless if it’s day or night, in all seasons.
You can also wear the boxer braid to go to a wedding. For that, just add accessories like hair crystals to make it look more elegant. And if you’re thinking of wearing the hairdo to go to work or study during your daily routine, feel free, just letting loose a few strands or loosen up the braids to make it look more casual, as taught previously.
Some Boxer Braids Hairstyles You Can Also Try
8. Four Boxer Braids
Boxer braids are so popular that they’ve been worn by everyone, from Kim Kardashian to her sisters, JLo, and they are a great hairstyle for dirty hair. To create this hairstyle, you need to section the hair in four pieces, one on each side and two on the top, and do the Dutch braids.
9. Side Boxer Braids
Instead of starting your braid from the top, for this boxer hairstyle, you need to start knitting from the center of the forehead and direct the braids slightly on sides.
10. Boxer Braids for Thick Hair
Perfectly brush your hair and prep it with some oil. It helps to separate the hair with braiding. Create a straight part and make sure that when you are working on one side you clip away the other so that no hair will interfere with the one you are working on.
11.Khloe Kardashian’s Boxer Braids
We weren’t kidding when we said that most stars love this hairstyle. Khloe Kardashian went for this look and if you have blonde highlights on a brown base just like hers, you’ll end up with a great color mixed braid.
12. Boxer Braid for Split Ends
Boxer braids work fabulously for hair with damaged ends. Apply some styling gel in the split ends area to make sure all the threads stick together once your braids reach the tips.
So? Do you see there’s no secret to spicing up your look by wearing a boxer braid? Have you done yours already? Tell us here in the comments!
