Box braids or sister locs?
A fun color or a natural hue?
A jumbo silhouette or a micro moment?
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And of course, one of the biggest (and first): Synthetic vs. human braiding hair.
While both are great options, they aren’t exactly interchangeable.
Cost and maintenance also come into play when deciding between the two.
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Read on for the ultimate guide.
Maintenance
Human hair requires more care than synthetic.
It’s prone to dryness, so it needs to be moisturized regularly with lightweight oils and leave-in conditioners.
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Additionally, human hair will need to be gently detangled.
Braids with human hair should be wrapped at night with asilk scarfor bonnet to reduce frizz.
It’s available in a variety of colors, textures, and lengths.
Synthetic hair is “often used for braided styles such asbox braidsorcornrows,” explains Kimble.
Unlike human hair, synthetic hair requires minimal maintenance.
When installing synthetic hair braids, Chisholm recommends using hot water to seal the ends and keep them neat.
Although synthetic hair has a limited life span, it can be re-used for styles such ascrochet braids.
Storing it in a way that prevents tangling will keep it fresh for longer.
Deciding Between the Two
When choosing between the two, Kimble recommendsconsidering your budget and styling needs.
Chisholm recommends combining human and synthetic hair for a more affordable option while maintaining a natural look.
The Final Takeaway
Human hair and synthetic hair are both great options for braids.
