Real talk, texture selection makes or breaks your braided style. I learned this after my third install when my "silky straight" synthetic braids looked absolutely nothing like the inspiration photo I showed my braider.
For Boho Braids and Goddess Styles
The Beach Wave texture is your best friend here. It has that natural, undone wave that makes boho braids look effortlessly gorgeous. Mix it with your natural hair at the ends and nobody can tell where your hair stops and the extensions begin. I typically use 3-4 packs for a full head, depending on how thick you want those braids.
For Traditional Box Braids and Twists
Here's where versatility comes in. You can use any texture really, but I'm partial to Latin Wave for a subtle movement or straight textures if you want that classic sleek look. The beauty of human hair? You can always add curl or wave patterns after installation.
For Natural-Looking Protective Styles
Afro Kinky bulk hair literally changed my life. Remember spending hours trying to make synthetic braiding hair blend with 4C edges? Yeah, me too. This texture eliminates that struggle completely. It matches natural hair patterns so well, your braids look like they grew from your scalp.
The Real Difference Between Bulk Hair and Cutting Your Own Bundles
Okay, so here's what nobody tells you about braiding hair. For YEARS I was buying regular bundles and cutting the wefts off myself. Like, sitting there with my little scissors, making a mess, wasting perfectly good hair because the pieces would fly everywhere. Then I discovered bulk hair exists and felt like... why did nobody mention this earlier?
The texture variety is honestly what gets me excited. Ocean Wave bulk hair gives you those beachy boho braids everyone's asking for. Deep Wave creates volume that synthetic could never achieve. And don't even get me started on how Water Wave looks after a little water activation. It's like each texture has its own personality.
Color Options That Don't Require Bleaching Your Whole Head
Listen, I've been there. You want honey blonde braids but the thought of bleaching boxes of hair in your bathroom at midnight? No thank you. The pre-colored options saved my sanity (and my bathroom tiles).
The Medium Brown Deep Wave gives you that sun-kissed dimension without any processing. For bolder looks, the Burgundy Deep Wave and Copper options let you experiment with color while maintaining hair health.
Installation Reality Check (Because Nobody Talks About This)
So here's what your braider won't tell you but I will. Installation time depends heavily on hair quality. With good human bulk hair, they can grip it better, braid faster, and achieve neater parts. My install time went from 8 hours to about 5 when I switched from synthetic to human hair. That's three less hours of neck pain, people.
Maintenance Schedule That Actually Works
Week 1-2: Leave them alone! Seriously. Let your scalp adjust.
Week 3-4: First wash with diluted shampoo. The human hair won't frizz like synthetic does.
Week 5-8: Regular washing every 10-14 days. Oil your scalp, not the braids.
Week 8-12: If you used quality hair, your braids still look fresh. Decision time!
Week 12+: Even the best braids need to come out eventually. Your edges will thank you.
The Virgin vs Raw Debate (Let's Settle This)
People ask me this constantly. Here's my honest take after using both:
Virgin bulk hair is processed to achieve consistent texture and color. It's predictable, which I love for certain styles. If you want guarantee that all your packs will match perfectly, virgin is your answer. Lasts 3-4 months with proper care.
Raw bulk hair is unprocessed, meaning it has natural texture variations just like your own hair. More expensive? Yes. Worth it for 6+ month installs? Absolutely. I use raw for styles I want to keep long-term.
Common Mistakes I See (And How to Avoid Them)
Not buying enough hair. Girl, nothing worse than running out mid-install. For medium density braids: 5-6 packs. For fuller styles: 7-8 packs. Trust me on this.
Choosing texture based on the package photo alone. Those photos are styled and edited. Read descriptions, check reviews, or better yet, feel the hair in person if possible.
Skipping the preparation step. Human bulk hair sometimes needs a quick co-wash before installation to remove any residue. Five minutes of prep saves hours of frustration.
Why Choose Locks of Hair Braiding Hair?
After trying literally every supplier (the things I do for perfect braids), here's what stands out. The bulk hair comes pre-sorted in consistent lengths, which seems basic but makes installation so much smoother. No more finding random short pieces mixed in.
The virgin quality feels soft from pack to install to takedown. And raw? Don't get me started on how the raw Ocean Wave performed in my last boho braids. Six months later and my braider asked if she could keep some pieces for her portfolio.
Quality shows in longevity. Sure, you can get cheaper hair, but when you factor in reinstall costs and time? Investing in good bulk hair actually saves money long-term.
Ready to Create Your Best Braided Style Yet?
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Girl, your next protective style is going to be everything. And when people stop you to ask about your braids (because they will), you'll actually have answers!
