The Rising Costs and Complications of Getting Box Braids

The article discusses the increasing complexity and cost of getting box braids, particularly knotless and boho styles, highlighting the pressure on Black women to maintain certain hairstyles due to societal expectations. The author attempts to get a braiding appointment to illustrate the challenges, facing high prices and limited availability. Experts Nesrine Malik and Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman provide insights into the economic factors, including high demand, labour costs, and the impact of tariffs on synthetic hair imports. The article also touches on the historical context of Black hair as both an expression of identity and a site of oppression, with current beauty standards leading to commercialisation and increased costs. Opoku-Agyeman notes that while consumers face high prices, stylists also struggle with expenses for products and training, often not benefiting from the increased costs. The piece concludes by reflecting on where to direct resentment—toward the beauty industry profiting from societal anxieties rather than the braiders themselves.