Can a self-proclaimed 'plain Jane' REALLY pull off Kim Kardashian's 'boxer braids'? FEMAIL writer who likes 'hiding behind her hair' tries out the controversial cornrows on the streets of New York

Kim Kardashian is all about her signature 'boxer braids' these days, sporting a number of different variations of her beloved cornrows in numerous selfies on her Instagram page.

The 35-year-old is so obsessed with her look that she shared a tutorial on website last week on how to achieve her 'boxer braids', which are essentially four large cornrows. And while the hair style has been around for generations, Kim and her sisters Khloe, 31, and Kylie Jenner, 18, suddenly can't get enough of it. 

After years of hiding behind her own hair, FEMAIL reporter Erica Tempesta decided to take a cue from the Kardashian-Jenner clan and head to the salon to try out the intricate updo in her everyday life, and here is how she fared.

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How to video: Kim Kardashian took to her website last week to share a tutorial on how to achiever her signature 'boxer braids', which are essentially four large cornrows braided into two plaits 

Testing it out: Femail writer Erica Tempesta decided try out the look for herself after years of hiding behind her hair 

Borrowed style: In recent months, Kim has shared numerous photos of herself donning cornrows, a hair style that has been worn by black men and women for decades 

When I asked to try out Kim Kardashian's 'boxer braids', I readily agreed before even watching her tutorial, simply because I love trying out new hairstyles. But I quickly realized that the only thing new about the look was the fact that Kim was wearing it. 

Everyone from Zendaya to Justin Bieber has rocked the look in recent months, never mind the countless number black men and women who have been wearing the style for decades, and while I would be wary to say the look is 'trendy', it is a far cry from the 'plain Jane' straightened hair and middle part that I wear daily.

Unsurprisingly, the Keeping Up With the Kardashian's star's tutorial featuring Justine Marjan of Mane Addicts has been shrouded in controversy as many people have accused her of 'cultural appropriation' by labeling the cornrow hairstyle as 'boxer braids'.

And I'll admit, the first thing I asked Jocelyn, my hair stylist at Cutler Salon in Soho, was what 'boxer braids' were in the first place, because to me, they looked the same as the elaborate cornrows some of the members of my high school cheerleading squad wore for games.

Confession: Erica admitted that usually wears her hair down and parted in the middle because she treats her locks like a security blanket 

Trusting the pros: Erica went to Cutler salon in New York City's Soho neighborhood to get her hair braided 

Jocelyn explained that the style Kim rocks in her tutorial consists of just four large cornrows - so there was nothing new about it. However, in January, around the same time Kim started wearing the braids, Instagram users and various media outlets started dubbing 'boxer braids' the hottest 'new trend' to the ire of those who have been wearing them for years. 

The backlash surrounding Kim's video was so intense that she changed the titled of the tutorial to 'KKW Signature Braid', which isn't exactly being embraced either. 

While some deduce the name came from the film Million Dollar baby because it was the hair style of choice for Hilary Swank's character, who is a professional boxer, it's unclear if Kim coined the term or she borrowed it from someone else. 

However, the one thing Kim does get right in her clip is the fact that these beautifully intricate braids need to be professionally done. I spent 20 minutes having my hair done by Jocelyn, and I wouldn't dare try to lose the blood flow to my arms by attempting to do it myself. 

And while Kim's favored look these days is cornrows, Jocelyn said people more frequently come into the salon looking to achieve the choppy lob she was sporting last February. 

Looking good: When Erica arrived at the salon, her hairstylist Jocelyn started by dividing her hair into four sections and braiding each one individually 

Expert opinion: Jocelyn explained that the controversial term 'boxer braids' is relatively new as the hairstyle is made up of cornrows 

Amazing skill: After creating two cornrows, Jocelyn braided the sections into one plait 

Can't hide them: Erica couldn't help but notice that she desperately needed to dye her hair because her gray strands were on display in the tightly woven braids 

The hair stylist said tends to braid more hair in the summer, when women with curly hair opt for a style that they can keep for a few days rather than a blowout that won't last in the humid New York City weather. 

Jocelyn explained that a lot of the times when women try cornrows for the first time, they discover they aren't fans of the shape of their own head - and I quickly find myself in that group. 

The reason I avoided having cornrows braided into my hair in high school was the fact that I can't stand to have my hair pulled off my face. It makes me feeling so insecure that I won't even try a slicked back ponytail. 

My hair looked amazing from the back as Jocelyn did a fantastic job creating four cornrows and then connecting them into two braids down my back, however, the cornrows drew attention to the fact that my hairline has started to recede a bit by my temples. 

I felt like I looked less like a Kardashian and more like a balding dinosaur - which is not what I was going for. Despite by initial discomfort with no longer having my hair as my security blanket, the braids were surprisingly comfortable. I felt like I could do anything and not have to worry about what my hair looked like. 

Felt great: Erica was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the tight hairstyle was 

Let the professionals take charge: It took Jocelyn about 20 minutes to braid Erica's hair, and Erica admitted that she would never attempt to try to do cornrows on her own head 

However, that attitude changed when I stepped outside and realized that my head was freezing. I started to give my boyfriend Chris more credit for walking around with a shaved head in the winter. 

And while I was self-conscious that people were staring at my inability to pull off cornrows, I quickly remembered that I live in Manhattan - and island where you can walk down the street naked and no one would blink twice.

When I stopped in Chop't to get my lunch, I managed to forget about my hair until the woman at the cash register said she liked it. Maybe it looked better on me than I thought?

Walking into my office, I was once again flooded with the feeling that people would be staring at me, but I am self-absorbed by nature and no one really cared at all.

I certainly expected my boyfriend to make fun of me for not being able to pull the hairstyle off, but even he surprised me by saying it looks 'solid, actually'.

Winter weather: Erica can be seen showing off her new hairstyle on the streets of New York City. The writer explained that she was surprised by how cold her head was with her hair pulled back in cornrows 

Ready for work: Erica is pictured working on a story at her desk after she had her hair braided 

Preparing her fans: Last month, Kim shared this photo of herself with make-up artist Pat McGrath (center) and hairstylist Jen Atkin (R) using the hashtat '#SecretProject'

He may have been more distracted by Jocelyn's braiding skills than whether the shape of my head looked ridiculous. I asked him to elaborate on his thoughts, but got nowhere quick. 

'It looks nice? he said tentatively. 'I don't know what am I a hair stylist?'

However, when I asked him if I looked like Kim, he burst into laughter. 

'Yeah, whatever your heart believes,' he told me. I guessed that was a hard no, but I was pleased to see later that my cornrows were perfect for doing a Pilates video in my apartment. 

Khloe has also taken to her website to wax poetic about her and her sisters' love of braids, which unlike Kim she calls cornrows. The youngest Kardashian sister noted that she, Kim, and Kylie 'all rock the style a little differently' while prompting their fans to contemplate who wears them best. 

The bestselling author said she 'likes to be a little more edgy', and recently had her hairstylist Jen Atkin do four braids mixed with gold twine, while Kylie 'does a more traditional cornrow'. 

Inspiration? It's unclear where the name 'boxer braids' came from, and while many have dubbed the term as 'cultural appropriation' others have deduced it is a reference to Hilary Swank's hairstyle in Million Dollar Baby

Keeping up with Kim: The reality star's sisters Khloe Kardashian (L), 31, and Kylie Jenner (R), 18, have also sported cornrows in recent months 

Always popular: Ciara (L) wore her hair in cornrows to Maxim's 10th annual Hot 100 celebration in 2009, while Zendaya (R) wore them in Paris last October 

Blond braids: Justin Bieber claimed Hailey Baldwin (R) made him get cornrows last January when he shared this photo 

And like her older sister, Kylie has also been slammed for 'appropriating black culture' after snapping a selfie of herself modeling them last July. 

However, Khloe revealed that for Kim, the look is all about keeping her hair away from damaging heat styling. 

'Kim has been really into her braids lately. She's obsessed with getting her hair healthy, so she keeps these braids in for days to cut down on products and heat styling,' she explained. 'Kim's French braids are a little more classic, like she's about to go to soccer practice. 

'I'm all about the quadruple rows she rocked for New York Fashion Week, though - they were almost as cool as mine!'

And while I think the hairstyle does draw attention to my awkwardly shaped face and the thin baby hairs at my temples, I will say it would be amazing to keep the cornrows in all week long and not have to worry about straightening my hair three times a week. 

However, my big takeaway though was that I desperately needed to dye my hair, as my gray strands were prominently on display in my tightly braided cornrows.