Photo: @Rebundle.co
Braiding hair is no longer just the casual two-dollar pack at your local beauty supply store. This multi-million dollar market has evolved into an evergreen lab of innovative alternatives addressing the long-held woes of braid-wearers–the itch, the shedding, the irritability, and menacing tangle, to name a few. With so many options available, “what hair to buy” has become a guessing game for many. While we’re all for a tried and true pack of X-pression braiding hair, excitement runs wild for the newcomers and late bloomers in the industry. From wavy to straight, biodegradable and hypoallergenic, we’ve put together this nifty guide to help make sense of the best brands on the market and what to keep in mind when shopping.
Unruly
What’s great about it? It’s our very own line of braiding hair, and we designed it to take the guesswork out of the hair-buying experience by providing all the hair you need for your favorite braided styles, in one convenient, pre-bundled pack. Our hair is also hypoallergenic, pre-stretched, and has been tested and approved by our mobile hairstyling services‘ clients and stylists.
- Price range: $$
- Feels like: Soft and light-weight
- Best used for: Braided hairstyles such as mid-back or waist length box braids and cornrows
- Available colors: Colors 1B and 4 (off-black and medium brown)
- Black owned?: Yes!
- Where to buy: The Unruly website, not currently sold in stores
- How much to buy: Hair is already pre-bundled by style
Braid Better by Rebundle
What’s great about it? A plant-based, hypoallergenic alternative to traditional braiding hair made from banana leaves. Braid Better by Rebundle also keeps the customer and environment in mind, because their fiber is compostable and biodegradable which is perfect for those looking to minimize their carbon footprint. They even have a recycling program for synthetic hair fibers. All bundles are approximately 28 inches long, can hold a curl, and withstands 400 degrees heat.
- Price range: $$$
- Feels like: A rough straw-like texture that may feel a bit inflexible to the touch but loosens while braiding
- Best used for: All long braid styles. Avoid shoulder-length braids as the brand does not recommend holding the hair to an open flame. Use hot water or a hot toolset to 400 degrees or lower only.
- Available colors: Black, Brown (reddish tone), Blonde, and Blue (Lagoon)
- Black owned?: Yes! (Side note: The fiber was developed by a black chemist right here in the USA)
- Where to buy: The Rebundle website, not currently sold in stores
- How much to buy: 4 to 6 packs are suggested for small-sized box braids.
Janet Collection
What’s great about it? These pre-sectioned bundles of joy are a beginner braider’s best friend! Stocked with 3 bundles of 12 pre-sorted hair portions, each pack comes with 36 ready-to-braid pieces saving braiders up to an hour of styling time!
- Price range: $-$$
- Feels like: A lightweight manageable texture
- Best used for: Knotless braids and feed-in cornrows
- Available colors: An assortment of single tone blacks, browns and reds, as well as dark roots/light color options
- Black owned?: No
- Where to buy: Company website, Amazon, Walmart, Sam’s Beauty
Latched and Hooked
What’s great about it? Boasting a tremendous array of two, three, and four toned ombre and full-color styles, Latched and Hooked’s non-toxic hair provides a playful spin to any braided look. Affordable and designed with the highest qualities of synthetic fibers, the Black woman-owned and operated brand promises zero irritability and unraveling for a comfortable and polished install. Most importantly, the pre-stretched and unstretched options are wash-friendly and are made for reuse.
- Price range: $$
- Feels like: A soft, human-hair-like texture
- Best used for: Perfect for multi-dimensional, color-centric braids worthy of Pinterest praise
- Available colors: The non-stretched variety includes gradients of black, subtle browns and striking blondes. In addition to a selection of 2, 3 and 4 toned ombre styles. Pre-stretched colors offer black, brown and blonde shades as well with an assortment of jewel toned hues and soft shades.
- Black owned?: Yes
- Where to buy: The Latched & Hooked website and Amazon, not currently sold in stores
Rasta Fri Braids
What’s great about it? A human hair and synthetic blend, reviewers (penned and vlogged alike) rave about the brand’s zero to minimal shedding and frizz- free results.
- Price range: $$
- Feels like: A velvet, snag-free feel
- Best used for: All of your favorite braided looks–Senegalese twists, knotless braids, stitch braids, etc.
- Available colors: A variety of blacks, browns, blondes, greys and reds to match your desired shade
- Black owned?: No
- Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart, House of Hair LA
Bobby Boss King
What’s great about it? The hair comes already curled making styles like goddess box braids super easy to achieve without having to spring for pricey human hair. We’re obsessed with the Ocean Wave and Body Wave styles in particular which are available only in 28 inches. Both curl patterns offer a dreamy bohemian quality perfect for your favorite cool girl, mermaid look!
- Price range: $-$$$
- Feels like: More of a synthetic feel than the other brands on this list, however the hair boasts minimal shedding and tangle.
- Best used for: Long goddess box braids (AKA Zoe Kravitz Braids) and feed-in cornrow styles
- Available colors:
- The Ocean Wave: Your usual darks (1, 1B and more). Plus single and dual toned confectionary hues of icy mints, blues and pinks to name a few
- The Body Wave: 1B, 2, 4, T4/613
- Black owned?: No
- Where to buy:
- The Ocean Wave: Sam’s Beauty, House of Beauty, Amazon
- The Body Wave: Sam’s Beauty, House of Beauty, Amazon
On Our Radar: Lillian Augusta Hair
What’s great about it? The brainchild of biological and environmental scientists, Lillian August Hair, is the next best thing in plant-based, synthetic hair. Founders Jannice Newson and Nana Britwum offer a carcinogenic and toxin-free, biodegradable product that they hope will enhance the experience of hair braiding and serve as an integral part of the hair braiding community of the future. Check out their teaser video here:
- Price range: TBD
- Feels like: We can’t wait to try!
- Black owned?: Yes
As long as popular braided styles keep trending, advancements and more options for braiding won’t be too far behind. Needless to say, we’re loving these new brands on the block that have elevated braiding hair to star-product status, while also making it more environmentally-friendly and easier on our hands and scalps. If you’re interested in human hair for your next braided style, check out this post that goes into more detail. Or if you’re wondering how much hair to buy for any braided style, we’ve got you covered here.
