Braiding Hair Guide: What to Buy and Where in DC & MD

Braiding hair is one of those purchases that looks simple until you are standing in front of the wall at the beauty supply store trying to figure out which brand, which pack count, which weight, and which color code actually matches what your stylist needs. Get it right and the installation goes smoothly. Get it wrong and you are back at the store before the appointment is over.

This guide covers the main types of braiding hair, the brands worth knowing, how many packs to bring, and where to buy across DC and Maryland.

Types of Braiding Hair

Kanekalon is the standard for most braid styles. It is lightweight, handles the tension of braiding well, and blends naturally with most hair textures. The majority of box braid, knotless braid, and cornrow installations use Kanekalon-based hair. When you see brands like Xpression on the shelf, those are Kanekalon products. The 2X, 3X, 6X, and 10X designations refer to the amount of hair per pack. More hair per pack means fewer packs needed per head, but it also affects the finished weight of the style.

Pre-stretched braiding hair is Kanekalon that has already been pulled to length before packaging. This cuts down on prep time during installation because the braider does not have to stretch and separate the hair before use. For knotless braids in particular, pre-stretched hair has become the standard. Freetress Pre-Stretched is a reliable option.

Crochet hair is installed differently from traditional braiding. Instead of braiding the hair in from the root, crochet styles are looped through your natural hair using a crochet needle. Installation is faster, which is one reason why styles like passion twists, Senegalese twists, butterfly locs, and Marley twists have grown steadily in popularity. Each style requires a specific crochet product, so matching the hair to the look before you buy is important.

Faux locs hair sits in its own category. Brands like Freetress, Outre, and Janet Collection offer faux loc styles in distressed, smooth, and river textures. The finished look depends heavily on which product you choose, so comparing options in store is worth the time if you are new to this style.

Brands Worth Knowing

Xpression is the most widely used braiding hair on the market and the one most stylists in DC and Maryland reach for by default. It comes in a comprehensive color range, it is affordable, and it performs consistently for box braids, cornrows, and most standard styles. For pre-stretched options, Freetress and Sensationnel are both solid choices. Outre covers a wider range of textures, including options suited to natural and twist styles. Bobbi Boss and Janet Collection are reliable for mid-range braiding and crochet applications. All of these are available at 1 Beauty Supply locations across DC and Maryland.

If you have a preference for a specific shade or a less common brand, calling ahead before your visit is the safest approach, since availability can vary between locations.

How Many Packs to Buy

Pack count depends on the style and the size of the braids. For medium-size box braids, most people need between five and seven packs of standard Kanekalon. Knotless braids in the same size tend to run closer to six to eight packs of pre-stretched hair because of how the technique distributes the hair.

Cornrows on a standard head typically require two to four packs. Crochet styles like passion twists or Senegalese twists usually call for four to six packs of the specific crochet product. When you are unsure, buy one extra pack and confirm the store's return policy before purchasing in case you end up with an unopened one.

To make it easier for you, we have a dedicated page that will attempt at calculating how many packs you will need per style, head size, hair thickness, and length. Check it out!

Color Considerations

Most braiding hair brands offer a wide color range, and Xpression in particular has one of the most comprehensive selections on the market. A few practical points: color codes are not standardized across brands, so a shade labeled 1B at Xpression may look slightly different than the same code at Freetress.

When you need an exact match, comparing swatches in store under natural lighting is the most reliable method. If you plan to blend two colors for a highlighted or ombre effect, buy extra packs of each shade before the appointment, since running out mid-install and finding the exact color again can be difficult.

Where to Buy Braiding Hair in DC and Maryland

1 Beauty Supply carries braiding hair across all three locations.

Brentwood is at 1201 Brentwood Rd NE in Northeast DC, open Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 7:45 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM to 5:45 PM.

Good Hope is at 2847 Alabama Ave SE in Southeast DC, open Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 7:40 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM to 5:40 PM.

The Marlow Heights location is at 4013 Branch Ave, Temple Hills MD 20748, open Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 7:45 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM to 5:45 PM.

You can browse the braiding hair selection online at https://number1beautysupply.com/shop/hair/braiding-hair before heading in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best braiding hair to buy in DC?

Xpression Kanekalon is the most widely used option among stylists in the DC area and a reliable choice for most braid styles. For pre-stretched installations, Freetress Pre-Stretched are also popular. All are available at 1 Beauty Supply locations in DC and Maryland.

How many packs of Xpression do I need for box braids?

For medium-size box braids, most installs require five to seven packs of standard Xpression. Smaller braids or longer lengths can push that closer to eight or nine. Buying one extra pack is a reasonable precaution, and unused packs in original packaging can typically be returned.

Where is 1 Beauty Supply in DC?

1 Beauty Supply has two DC locations: Brentwood at 1201 Brentwood Rd NE in Northeast DC and Good Hope at 2847 Alabama Ave SE in Southeast DC. There is also a Maryland location at 4013 Branch Ave in Temple Hills, serving Marlow Heights and southern PG County.

Shop Braiding Hair at 1 Beauty Supply

Three locations across DC and Maryland, open every day of the week. All the major brands in the colors you need.

Browse online at https://number1beautysupply.com/shop/hair/braiding-hair or find your nearest location at https://number1beautysupply.com/store-locator