How to make your braids curly with hot water

When women go for box braids, they have plenty of things in mind, such as forgetting the curl-related hassle.

However, as time goes by, they start thinking about curly box braids. Curls have been the most popular hairstyle for centuries. In fact, curls are a certain beauty standard. Voluminous curls are always a part of the regal image of various princesses. Real or not, these medieval and Disney queens dictate the fashion for many modern women.

That’s why the lucky owners of amazing box braids start missing their unruly curls and want to do something about it. The solution is as easy as pie. Curl the braids!

There are a few ways you can curl box braids.

Curling iron method

How to make your braids curly with hot water

Natural curly box braids are easy to achieve with a curling iron. However, if you have synthetic box braids, the heat can ruin them in a flash. Make sure to avoid any contact with the heat unless you want to bid farewell to your beautiful braids. If you have natural box braids, you can proceed to unbraid them after the curling procedure. You’ll get amazing voluminous curls.

Hot Water Method

The simplest way to curl your box braids is to dip them into a boiling water. Use rollers to roll your braids, cover your face with a towel in order not to get burned, and dip the hair into hot water for a few minutes. Afterward, remove the rollers fast and the beautiful curls are ready. This method is risky because you can burn yourself. Make sure to watch your safety.

Here are a few smart tips to make your curling process faster and easier:

  • Use distilled water instead of tap water since it’s much softer and doesn’t have any mineral deposits
  • Add a few drops of oil to the water. It will help your hair avoid dryness when dipping. The oil helps seal the moisture in.
  • When choosing the rollers for making curly box braids, consider perm rods. They are made from a durable plastic and can withstand heat well. At the same time, they have elastic bands that help keep the hair in place.

If you want to curl hair extensions before attaching them to your hair, you can follow exactly the same procedure. Just submerge the extensions into the water and leave it boiling for an hour or two for the long-lasting results.

Gorgeous Curly Box Braids for A Regal Look

Curly box braids have an interesting look. Fortunately, they are not very popular yet, so you still have a chance to sport a unique hairstyle. There are several ways you can curl your beautiful box braids for an enchanting appearance.

While the curls on the box braids might not last as long as you wish, they are great for any special occasion. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your box braids. The more styles you try, the more beautiful you can feel without drastically changing the hairstyle. You can also try these French braids for curly hair. 

1. Half Updo

Do you have a fancy occasion coming up? A loose half updo is the perfect soft and romantic hairstyle for your box braids with curly ends. Just take a few of the braids and secure them together at mid-height in the back.

2. Blonde Box Braids

On your dark skin, light blonde is a beautiful hair color. Weave blonde half-braided extensions into your natural hair about an inch or two away from the scalp for a beautiful ombre effect.

3. Jumbo Box Braids

Looking for a full mane sure to turn heads? Go for jumbo curly box braids! These beauties are a mix of black, light brown, and caramel and tipped with gold hair cuffs. To get lift and volume, flip most of them over to one side. 

4. Thin Curly Box Braids

A peppy hairstyle can be just the look to bring out your energetic, flirty side. Make a high half updo with your curly thin box braids, pulling the ponytail almost all the way through on the last loop to get the height.

5. Crochet Braids for Older Women

Just because you’re aging, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on beautiful hairstyles. Feel beautiful with silver or gray ombre into curled-up box braids. A shoulder-length or bob haircut is easy to maintain, too.

6. Box Braided Ponytail

A sleek ponytail is never a bad choice, and the curls at the ends of these box braids stand out beautifully on a high ponytail that’s been glossed with pretty purple and pink coloring. 

7. Curly Box Braids + Undercut

Put an edgy twist on long curly box braids by asking your stylist to shave in an undercut or fade. Whether you wear hair up or down, the shaved areas will be noticeable and contrast nicely with your curls.

8. Little Girl’s Braids

Little girls love feeling like princesses, so give your little one curly box braids in her favorite color. A medium or dark purple color is beautiful against dark skin tones. This hairstyle also looks adorable with glasses! 

9. Caramel, Wrapped Box Braids

To bring some lightness to your box braids, go with a light blonde or caramel color. These long braids can also be wrapped with thin string and jeweled up with hair cuffs or hoops for a character.

10. Curly Black and Red Box Braids

Dark red is one color that is perfect for giving curled box braids a bit of edge. Switch up your face dimension in a minute by gathering a small section of braids into a high ponytail, leaving a thicker section loose at the hairline to tuck in behind the ear.

11. Loose Curly Orange Box Braids

If you aren’t afraid of bright colors, an electric orange is in your future! Your long curled box braids will certainly make a statement when worn loose over the shoulders.

12. Highlighted Box Braids

For just a little color added to your braids, highlights are the answer. Choose a light blonde for dark brown or black braids. The balance of color is sure to be flattering.

13. Knotless Box Braids

This little girl’s hairstyle proves box braids with curly ends have no age limit! A high ponytail of knotless braids is seamless and classy. The ends are filled with medium to large curls instead of tight spirals for a softer look.

14. Black and Blue Braids with Large Curls

Large curls at the ends of box braids make a totally different statement than tight spiral curls. We love the sporty mix of dark and light blue on this women’s shoulder-length cut.

15. Extra Long Curly Twist Braids

If a glamorous hairstyle is what you’re seeking, choose extra long curly box braids. Whether you wear them in a high ponytail or down loose over shoulders, heads will turn in admiration!

16. Curly Jumbo Box Braids

A pop of pink is the first thing friends will notice about these jumbo blonde box braids. The second thing they’ll notice is how the braids combine with long curly locks for a beautiful mixture.

17. Long Box Braids with Curly Ends

Long box braids are regal in themselves, but with curly ends, you’ll feel like Rapunzel herself. Pull the top half of your braids into a cute high ponytail and wrap in several strands of braids instead of a hair tie.

18. Medium Curly Box Braids

Not sure if you want thick or thin braids? Play it safe yet stylish with medium box braids. This look features a side part and braids mixed with loose locks that are curly at the ends.

19. Curly Crochet Box Braids

Thick braids combined with curly hair is a beautiful boho style you can achieve with crochet. This protective style will last four to eight weeks and looks even better with a few blonde highlights.

20. Small Box Braids with Curly Ends

A lot of tiny box braids is a great way to thicken up your hairstyle and give it a glam vibe. Hair is braided about three quarters of the way down, leaving ends loose and wavy. Decorate your braids with hoops and hair cuffs.

21. Partial Curly Box Braids

How to make your braids curly with hot water

Mixing hair extensions is a great way to create a unique hairstyle. You can have voluminous Senegalese twists on top and cute curly box braids on the bottom. If you get tired of such hairstyle, consider reversing it.

Best Jumbo Box Braids

22. Curly highlighted twists

How to make your braids curly with hot water

Highlighted twists look even more amazing if you curl them. The more voluminous the twists or the braids are, the more beautiful they look when curled. Consider making large waves or tight coils as an experiment.

Crochet Braids for Women With Curly Hair

23. Pump up the volume

How to make your braids curly with hot water

When you make your box braids curly, you add them the volume they might lack when straight. The longer your box braids are, the more amazing they will look when curled. Long hair allows you to make tight curls.

24. Short curls

How to make your braids curly with hot water

Natural short box braids can be curled by using a flat iron. However, if they are short enough, they will most likely curl up on their own. The tighter you make the short braids, the more chances they will curl naturally.

Medium Box Braids to Try

25. Amazing results

How to make your braids curly with hot water

You can get an amazingly beautiful hairstyle by using box braids. After braiding and curling, unbraid the hair. It doesn’t matter if it’s natural or synthetic. The braiding allows it to become impressively curly and beautiful.

Senegalese Vs. Box Braids

FAQs

Are box braids bad for curly hair?

Box braids are often called a protective hairstyle, especially for curly hair. The braids protect your hair by reducing the need to apply heat. Since the braids offer a long-lasting style, you won’t need to use hot tools or harsh products to make your hair look nice every day.

However, frequently braiding curly hair has resulted in thinner, more damaged hair. You’ll want to take periodic breaks from box braids to prevent this.

What kind of hair extensions to use for curly box braids?

Synthetic extensions are common for box braids. However, the best extensions to use are human hair extensions, followed by high-quality synthetic extensions. 

Natural human hair extensions are more expensive than synthetic ones, but they look much more natural. If you can afford it, the investment will prove to be well worth the price.

Can you straighten curly box braids?

Yes, you can straighten curly box braids. One popular method is to dip them in hot water. This method is especially effective for synthetic hair extensions.

Or, if your braids are thin enough, you can also use a flat iron to flatten them. Make sure you use some kind of hydrating oil, like Argan oil, after applying heat to your braids. 

Why do box braids curl up?

If your braids are curling up, you are probably packing them too tight. You can try massaging the braid between the palms of your hands and pulling them apart from a little.

Curling may also be a sign that your natural hair is dry. You can apply oils or anti-frizz products to prevent curling from hydrating the hair.

If you are still not sure if you should go for curly box braids, take another look at the results. It takes a very short time to make them. This is probably one of the easiest box braids hairstyles you can create in the comfort of your own home.

What happens when you put hot water on braids?

It's the hot water that seals those ends together. It kind of melts the hair together, so that hot water is what seals the ends. Sometimes people like to use a little slip knot at the end.

Does hot water loosen braids?

Use warm water. To help loosen up your braids you can wet a cloth with warm water and gently rub your scalp. We suggest using warm water as cold water may feel a bit uncomfortable on your scalp. Do this for a few days until you find relief.