DIY Box Braids on Natural Hair

Almost waist-length

Hello everyone!

A couple of weeks ago, I installed box braids on my hair by myself. Yes. Hold On! 

I have had my hair out for about 6 months plus and I felt it was due for a protective style. The last one was kinky twists which I did in September 2013 and rocked for about 3 months before my big chop. Fast- forward till today, I've been able to grow my hair out successfully with my edges in tact and I just needed to tuck them in for a few weeks. Well, I decided on box braids since it was the easiest to make. Problem was, I didn't have a capable stylist and I wasn't ready to put my edges in jeopardy. Prior to now, the idea of box braiding my hair myself had crossed my mind and so I went on Youtube to satisfy my curiosity. Long story short, I  started with my mum's hair. By the time, I was ready for mine, after a few trials, I had fairly perfected the skill of braiding and so I was ready.  

Because I cherish my edges.

Prep. 

•  Two days before, I deep conditioned with Organics Hair Mayonnaise, washed with African Naturalistas Black Natural Shampoo, conditioned with African Naturalistas Moisturizing and Detangling Conditioner and moisturized with Hawaiian Silk Herbal 16-in-1 moisturizer freebie from NITC8, sealed with Castor oil and Shea butter(LOC method) and then braided my hair in sections.
• Bought 1 pack of Xpression extensions, Color 2. The big size. ( Should have bought one small one along but I didn't want the braids to be too full so I made up my mind to make do with the single one)
• Cut the extensions into 3 equal parts (Sorry no pictures, maybe next time)
• Took each one and stretched it(like the stylists do)
• After which I moisturized each one with EVOO(Extra Virgin Olive Oil). No, I didn't comb it. I probably would next time 
• The morning of the day I braided my hair, I quickly co-washed my hair(the same one in sections two days earlier) and allowed it to air-dry. 

The back is slightly bigger. Love it still.

Procedure

•  As my hair was still in sections, 9 to be exact, I picked it each one after the other, moisturized with shea butter again, divided it into smaller sections of about 3 or 4( I ended up using my fingers instead of a rat-tail comb/cutting comb) and began braiding. 
• It took my about 4-5 hours to go round my head sitting in front of a mirror even though I almost ran out of extensions. It was raining cats and dogs so I couldn't go out to get more. 
• I unconsciously left my edges out. I didn't know when it became a ''brush'' style. Lol 
• When I was done, I dunked my hair into a bowl of hot water(there was no one at home. I promise, I was careful.) to smoothen the ends. 

Maintenance 

• Because of my dry scalp, I spray my scalp with my hair spritz daily.
• Co-wash every 2 weeks concentrating on my scalp and moisturize and seal afterwards. 

I plan to leave it in for about 4 weeks before taking it down and re-installing 4 weeks later. Surprisingly I didn't find it strenuous or tasking. I guess that was the whole idea considering the number of braids. So yeah its some I plan to do over and over and possibly try twists and others. I'm DIY-savvy like that.

So, what do you guys think? How did I fair? Is it something you might actually consider?

Love, knits and knots
eBunitehair