Protective style [1] season will be here before we know it, and there's no look in the spring and summer months that's more fitting for the season than box braids [2]. Convenient and easy to maintain, box braids are a go-to style for many for a multitude of reasons. Not only do they encourage growth by keeping the manipulation of your natural hair at a minimum, but as a bonus, they're also good for helping you shave several minutes off of your getting-ready routine.

With that said, since most people are planning on spending a lot more time indoors in the next few months and less time at hair appointments [3], you might feel inclined to learn how to install your own box braids at home. And while turning this into a DIY [4] project is doable, it's not always easy for everyone, especially if you're not used to doing your own hair. Thankfully, YouTube is treasure trove of useful information from beauty vloggers and natural hair gurus, and there are enough beginner-friendly box braid tutorials [5] to go around.

Read ahead to check out a few of our favourites.