Figuring out how much hair to buy tin can exist a pain! Life's already a puzzle, so we figured we'd assist accept the guesswork out of the procedure with our complete hair-buying guide. Whether y'all're getting box braids , cornrows , crochets or a weave , we'll break down how many packs or bundles you'll need and share our mobile hairstylists ' favorite go-to brands. (Yup, we have an calm hairstyling service currently serving NYC, check it out here ). If you're a astylist and need more clients, apply to join our platform.

Side Bar: Braiding Pilus Brands We Dearest

  • Yeluchi Past United nations-ruly – Yep! That's right. We now accept our very own line of hypoallergenic, pre-stretched pilus that'south client tested and approved!
  • 10-pression by Outre: Their pre-stretched braiding hair is a neat time-saver and it has a softer quality than cheaper kanekalon fibers.
  • Latched & Hooked: Not only is this brand, 100% black woman-owned, they besides specialize in not-toxic fibers.
  • EZ Braid Professional: The only brand on the market that's made with patented Spectra fiber which is itch-free, and won't cause scalp irritation.
  • FreeTress: A great line of pre-curled and braided, pre-looped crochet hair.
  • Boho Locs: Is a great line of natural looking goddess locs that we dear!
  • Janet Collection: Great for pre-braided locs, braids, Mambo twists and homo braiding hair.
  • African Drove: We beloved their pre-curled crochet pilus.

Oh by the manner 👋🏾, if y'all're thinking about getting a protective style, our short film, Pretty Shouldn't Hurt, is a must-watch. Also learn all about safety protective styling here.

Sometimes The Answer Can Vary

Ane important thing to keep in listen when buying pilus (especially when it comes to braids), is that the amount of pilus needed tin can vary from person to person. Why? Because God made united states all unique in our own fashion! 😉 No, but really, it largely depends on three important factors:

    • Your hair texture: are you relaxed or natural?
    • Your pilus density: is your hair thick or thin?
    • How much hair you have: are you rocking shaved sides?

In one case yous've taken these factors into account, you lot then need to determine what expect you're going for. And so for weaves and crochets for example, do yous want Diana Ross-type volume, a super-sleek wait or something in betwixt? It's a lot to remember about, simply no matter your texture, our recommendations have into account buying a little more than needed because information technology's always better to have too much hair, than too little in this case.

Every bit for braids, there may be slight differences in texture and bulk among Kanekalon (synthetic) hair fibers, but for the most part, the standard weight manufacturers put in each pack of hair usually ranges between iii-4 ounces.

What Blazon of Hair Should I Purchase?

Before we become into how much hair to buy, let'due south kickoff start by answering what type of hair to buy! The market is littered with tons of braiding hair brands but some brands in detail that stand out in a higher place the balance for cornrows and box braids include: Yeluchi Past United nations-ruly – Yep! That's correct. We now take our very own line of pre-arranged, hypoallergenic, braiding pilus that'southward client tested and approved. It takes the guesswork out of shopping for pilus by letting you purchase all the hair you lot need for your favorite braided styles in one easy click! We besides love X-pression by Outre pre-stretched braiding hair, Latched & Hooked non-toxic pre-stretched hair and EZ Braid Professional person (also pre-stretched).

The Yeluchi line of braiding pilus is convenient because a lilliputian goes a long way (each pack consists of 85g of pilus), and it'south as well hypoallergenic then you don't have to worry most pre-soaking your hair before it's used – just like our friends over at Latched & Hooked and their non-toxic fibers.

The main divergence between Ten-pression and other kanekalon brands on the market is its length, the amount of hair in the pack, and its silkier texture. All the same, it is yet a constructed fiber which ways it may accept been coated in Element of group i Lye during production, which is what causes scalp irritation for those who have sensitive skin. To avoid this, we recommend soaking the pilus in a large basin of warm h2o with i loving cup of apple tree cider vinegar for xx minutes, so rinse with warm h2o and let dry.

EZ Braid Professional person on the other hand, is fabricated of Spetra fiber —a patented no-itch, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal cobweb that mimics man hair. Information technology's super-soft to the bear on, and did we mention, information technology does not itch ?

*Heads Up: In rare cases, some people can have an allergic reaction to constructed hair, in that it tin cause itching and in some cases rashes. If y'all're not certain if you might be allergic to synthetic hair, you tin can rinse the hair gently with apple cider vinegar the night before. That tends to assist.

How Much Hair Should I Purchase For Braids?

Box Braids

Box braids aren't merely for holiday anymore. In fact, they're taking the lead as a get-to style for summer , winter , bound or autumn . They're merely so versatile and an easy protective fashion . Traditional or knotless box braids are probably the trickiest style when information technology comes to buying hair. Y'all can get them super long, down to your hip/waist or just under your mentum. Not to mention the various sizes of the braid (bank check out our in-depth box braid style guide ). To take the gauge work out of how much to purchase for each width and length, bank check out the pre-arranged options from the Yeluchi Box Braids & Twists collection.

Medium Width

  • Shoulder Length (12, xiv or sixteen inches) 4-half-dozen single packs of pre-stretched braiding hair OR 1  multi-pack that contains half-dozen bundles or this pre-bundled pack from the Yeluchi line.
  • Mid-Back Length  (24 – 28 inches)4-half-dozen single packs of pre-stretched braiding pilus ORone  multi-pack that contains half dozen bundles or this pre-arranged pack from the Yeluchi line.
  • Hip-Barrel Length (36 – 48 inches) 4-half-dozen single packs of pre-stretched braiding hair ORone  multi-pack that contains 6 bundles.

Jumbo Width

  • Shoulder Length (12, 14 or xvi inches) 5-seven single packs of pre-stretched braiding hair or 1 multi-pack that contains 8 bundles.
  • Mid-Back Length (24 – 28 inches) 5-7 single packs of pre-stretched braiding hair OR one multi-pack that contains 8 bundles or this pre-bundled pack from the Yeluchi line.
  • Hip-Butt Length (36 – 48 inches) 5-7 unmarried packs of pre-stretched braiding hair OR one multi-pack that contains eight bundles.

** Note : The fuller yous want your braids, the more pilus you'll use. Only also keep in mind yous'll be adding more weight and thus tension to your strands.

Box Braids With Wavy Ends

If y'all're interested in getting goddess boho box braids with wavy ends a.k.a " Zoe Kravitz Box Braids ," yous tin achieve them with curly or wavy human being hair bundles such as Shake-North-Go 100% Virgin Human Majority by braiding each braid downwards to a sure point, and then leaving the ends loose. **Refer to the recommended quantities for box braids.**

If y'all're price-sensitive, you lot can either opt for constructed braiding hair that'southward already curled such as Bobbi Boss King Body Wave braiding hair or their Ocean Wave option. Another way to achieve wavy ends with traditional pre-stretched  synthetic braiding hair such as X-pression past Outre is to either ringlet the ends with perm rods and prepare them with hot water; or complect the ends into 1 large complect, set up them with hot water and then loosen.  To add together those wispy, curly fly-aways throughout the mode, pick upwardly a few packs of FreeTress loose deep braiding hair and feed information technology in as you complect, et voila! Boho chic.

**Note : The fuller you want your braids, the more hair you lot'll utilise. But also keep in mind you'll be calculation more weight and thus tension to your strands.

Senegalese & Marley Twists

Like Box Braids, Senegalese Twists are a great way to add length with a protective style. For that shiny sleek look, X-pression by Outre pre-stretched braiding hair works really well and y'all can follow the quantity guidelines for box braids. They can be braided at the ends and dipped in hot h2o to help them stay in place. For Marley Twists, notwithstanding, hair that's a little coarser in texture and has more friction, such equally five-6 packs of Cuban Twist Braid Hair (double twist style) produces the best results.

Passion Twists

Passion Twists (also known asspring twists) are what happens whenSenegalese twists and goddess locs assemble. They're a new course of two-strand twists that are washed using wavy hair extensions, creating a boho look with more than texture. 3-4 packs of passion twist crochet hair is more than plenty to create a prissy full expect. Some brands we love include: Yebo spring twist crochet hair, VRUnique spring twists and Bobbi Boss Brazilian Deep Twist. Note: If you lot're interested in Crochet Passion Twists, be sure to get pre-twisted hair such as Bomb Twist Crochet Hair.

Feed-In Cornrows

Let'south continue things moving, shall we? Maybe you're thinking about keeping things simple with basic feed-in cornrows or getting something a little more elaborate, such as a braided updo , Fulani or Lemonade braids ? Here's the breakup of what'due south needed for each manner.

  • 1-two Cornrows: 1-2 unmarried packs of pre-stretched braiding pilus, depending on desired thickness (Yeluchi Past Un-ruly, EZ Braid, X-pression past Outre or Latched & Hooked).
  • iii-10 Cornrows: ii single packs of pre-stretched hair or this pre-bundled pack.
  • 11-15 Cornrows: 3 single packs of pre-stretched hair or this pre-bundled pack.
  • 16-twenty Cornrows: three single packs pre-stretched braiding hair or this pre-arranged pack.

Fulani Braids

For Fulani braids you tin purchase four-6 unmarried packs of X-pression Past Outre pre-stretched braiding hair. Aforementioned goes for the EZ Braid Professional or Latched & Hooked brands. Or simply get this bundle from Yeluchi the line.

Lemonade Braids 🍋

Cheers to a sure mega-star from Houston Texas–ahem, Beyoncé–these braids (which were aptly named after her groundbreaking anthology) are a go-to style. You lot can purchase ii-3 single packs of X-pression Past Outre pre-stretched braiding hair. Same goes for the EZ Braid Professional person or Latched & Hooked brands. Or but get this pre-bundled pack from the Yeluchi line.

Braided Updo

For a braided (or cornrowed) updo, you can buy 1-2 single packs of X-pression By Outre pre-stretched braiding hair. Same goes for the EZ Braid Professional person or Latched & Hooked brands. Or but get this pre-bundled pack from the Yeluchi line.

Did you know?

  • In many African tribes, braided hairstyles were a unique mode to place each tribe.
  • Complect patterns and hairstyles were an indication of a person'due south tribe, historic period, marital status, wealth, power, and religion.

How Much Hair Should I Buy For Crochets?

We beloved crochets because they're easier to DIY than a weave install and are the ultimate fourth dimension hack when it comes to box braids, twists and goddess locs. Learn more about crochets and our favorite brands . How much crochet pilus varies depending on the texture and brand, merely the general average is 5-6 single packs .

    • Crochet locs , braids or twists: 4-v single packs  of hair is needed; but if you lot're purchasing from Boho Locs , all the hair you'll need for the entire manner will come up in 1 pack!!
    • Crochets with curly or straight hair: 5-half-dozen unmarried packs  of hair is needed. By the fashion, we love Latched & Hook'southward line of Crochet Curls.

How Much Hair Should I Purchase For a Weave?

We wrote everything you lot need to know well-nigh weaves in case yous're starting from scratch. For those that already have a basic understanding, peep the breakdown beneath and our make recommendations to achieve the look you're going for.

A Full Weave Install

    • If you're buying packs, 2 (2) volition be more than enough. For a fuller look, three (iii) packs is recommended, although you may non finish upward using it all.
    • If you're buying bundles , on average three (iii) bundles should do, merely yous may employ 2-4 , depending on fullness and length. Generally, for long or full hair, four bundles is usually best.
    • For a partial install, short hair or a sleek (non total) expect, you could probably get away with two bundles. But when in doubt go for the magic number, three and get more than you need if you lot tin afford to. Bundles have to exist purchased by the ounce, typically 3.5 ounces.

3 Things To Proceed in Listen When Information technology Comes To Buying Weave

    • For weave hairstyles 18 inches or longer, we recommend getting three (3) packs of hair
    • Shorter bundles like ten and 12 inches typically accept longer tracks which means yous're getting more hair
    • Ane hack to achieve fuller pilus without ownership more pilus is to purchase hair with larger curls i.e. deep loose moving ridge or a kinky straight.

Kinky Hair Brands We Recommend

Rut Gratuitous Hair produces 100% virgin hair extensions exclusively for natural textures. What's actually absurd about their brand is they ain the factory that makes Rut Gratuitous Hair and are the creative directors of the entire operation– from sourcing the right kind of hair, to fulfillment. In improver to Estrus Free Hair, we also beloved Curlkalon , Lavy Hair Extensions , Kurly Klips (clip-ins just throwing them in anyhow), Bella Kurls Hair Extensions , and April Lace Wigs . Read more and discover out pricing for each brand here .

Straight Brands We Recommend

For straight pilus, we recommend brands such as Mayvenn . They have straight to curly options. Sunny's Pilus is also great; they have straight to kinky options and Boho Exotic Studio is a stylist favorite (update: The recently announced wholesale prices to all!)  If yous're looking for wholesale prices, you may want to try your luck with AliExpress (read our AliExpress pilus ownership guide ).

Did you know?

  • People have used pilus extensions of some kind for thousands of years, from wigs to other forms of hairpieces, including pilus weaves.
  • In the 1950s, an African-American barber by the proper name of Christina Jenkins invented and patented hair weaves, changing pilus intendance for many African-American women. She received a patent in 1951 for this process of hair weaving.

Some Tips on Maintenance

We're going to close this affair out by providing a word of caution and some tips for protecting your protective style, to get more mileage out of your new 'exercise!

    • Tip #1: Continue the pilus under all of your protective hairstyles fresh with Girl+Pilus 'southward complete under hair intendance system or Dark & Lovely'south Protective Styles Collection. Two new lines specifically for maintaining the pilus under your protective styles. Genius!
    • Tip #2: Give your hair a pause from protective styles from fourth dimension to fourth dimension. At least 4-half-dozen consecutive weeks is our recommendation. Opt for natural hairstyles such as a twist out during your time off.
    • Tip #3: To avert major scalp irritation from synthetic braiding hair, give it an apple cider vinegar wash first or exist sure to use, The Yeluchi line of hair, or EZ Braid Professional —the but make on the market place that's fabricated with patented Spectra fiber which is crawling-gratis and antibacterial.
    • Tip #four: Proceed your braids salubrious and hydrated with Jane Carter Solutions revitalizing go out-in conditioner . It's super lightweight, and won't clog follicles or crusade any buildup.
    • Tip #v: To get the most out of your braids, exist sure to protect them at nighttime with a Loza Tam satin-lined bonnet or turban . Shop with the code UNRULY10 to salvage 10%.
    • Tip #6:Wrapping your head as well every bit the ends of your braids, are important for keeping them from getting fuzzy.