The 21 Products You *Need* for Your Next Braided Style (2024)

Whether you just got your hair braided, or you’re currently screenshotting some box braids or Ghana braids inspo for your next braid appointment, it’s probably a good idea to check your hair-product inventory and make sure you’re fully stocked on the best hair products for braids. I’m talkin’ all the prep products you need to keep your hair moisturized before braiding, the dry scalp products to soothe itching and irritation in between washes, and the post-braid formulas that’ll keep your hair hydrated, laid, and healthy.

“When people think about braids or protective styles, they forget that the whole purpose should be to protect their natural hair,” says hairstylist and natural hair expert Jasmine “Jazzee” Green. “It’s not about the braids—who cares? They’re coming out anyways—it’s about making sure your hair is going to be as healthy as it can while it’s in these styles.” And the best way to do that is with (no surprises here) major, major moisture. Think: cleansing with only cream-based cleansers, loading up on deep conditioners, leave-in conditioners, and hair oils before braiding, and going hard on the moisture mists and scalp treatments afterward.

And considering your hair might stay braided for up to four weeks (“the absolute max,” says Green), why not try to keep that style as fresh, cute, and healthy as long as possible? So if your product arsenal is lookin’ a little weak, keep scrolling to find the 21 best products for braids to keep your style moisturized, shiny, and totally IG-worthy.

When it comes to type-4 hair types, “always use a cream-based, sulfate-free cleanser to shampoo your hair, which will still get your scalp clean without drying you out,” says Green. This milky hair wash is formulated with argan oil and two gentle cleansers to clean your hair without weighing it down or drying it out.

If you’re working with ultra-coarse, damaged, or dry hair, skip the lightweight cleansers and opt for a cleansing conditioner or co-wash before your braid appointment. This one gently breaks down scalp oils while moisturizing your strands with avocado oil and shea butter.

This deep conditioner uses jojoba esters (which come from jojoba oil) and shea butter to majorly moisturize your hair—and, as you already know, moisture + more moisture = less breakage. The night before your braid appointment (and, hell, every other night before that), rake this deep conditioner through your wet hair and let it sit for up to an hour before rinsing.

A leave-in conditioner is a non-negotiable for braid prep. The key, says Green, is to load up your wet hair up with your favorite leave-in—like, palmfuls of it; don’t be shy—then blow the conditioner into your hair with a comb attachment. “The heat helps the conditioner penetrate your hair cuticle while also stretching out your hair, so when you go for your braids, your hair isn’t in a kinky-coily state that's tight to the scalp,” she says.

Literally no one wants to deal with an itchy scalp, but if you’ve ever had your hair braided for a few weeks, you know it’s pretty much a guarantee at some point. To stave off the dryness and irritation, try gently massaging this serum across your scalp every few days—it’s filled with apple cider vinegar and peppermint oil to help soothe itching and cut down on inflammation.

This alcohol-free mousse is packed with shea butter, olive oil, and moringa oil to moisturize your hair while also keeping your style on lock. For an ultra-smooth finish, whether you just braided your own hair (props, tbh) or you’re just resetting your week-one style, make sure to saturate your roots and braids in mousse before letting them set under a satin scarf.

A lot of strong-hold, alcohol-based edge controls can dry out your already-brittle hairline, which can lead to even more breakage (not ideal if you’re trying to grow back your edges). But this gel is made with glycerin (a humectant that pulls moisture into your hair) and olive oil to keep your edges soft, pliable, and protected.

Even if you already have, um, one-billion hair oils stashed around your house, it’s time to add one more. This one is filled with castor oil to keep your scalp and braids moisturized and stave off flakes between washes. Just squeeze the oil onto your scalp and in between your braids, then gently massage with your fingertips.

This soothing serum will feel like a dream on your itchy scalp. It’s formulated with peppermint oil and peppermint extract to give your pissed-off scalp a tingly, refreshed feeling as soon as you squeeze it on. And don’t worry, it’s lightweight enough to use daily without building up on your braids or scalp.

Nope, this exfoliating treatment won't leave chunks of sugar in your braids—the exfoliation comes from the AHAs in the formula (hi, mandelic, lactic, and gluconolactonein), which help break down any gunk hanging around your scalp without leaving behind a residue. Bonus: It's also filled with cooling eucalyptol to zap itching on contact.

“Try and avoid those edge controls that leave a lot of build up on your hairline, because they’re really hard to remove,” says braider Stasha Harris. Thankfully, this one is lightweight and also free of coconut oil, which means it’s also less likely to clog pores or lead to edge-control acne. Since this gel isn’t on the strong-hold side, you’ll want to tightly wrap your edges in a satin scarf and let them dry for 10 minutes after styling.

To keep your braided style looking as fresh at week three as week one, Green says the best thing to do is to keep your braids tied and tucked in a satin bonnet or scarf at night. Not only will the satin material keep your hair moisturized (fun fact: cotton dries out your hair), but it’ll also “help to maintain the look of the braids, so they don't get too fuzzy,” she says. Even better, this bonnet is adjustable so it won’t slide off your head in the middle of the night.

I mean, you already know a satin bonnet is a must, and if you have long braids, you need an extra-roomy bonnet like this one—which also comes in 10 different colors and prints, tyvm. “Most clients get really long braids, mid-back being the shortest,” says Harris. “So the bonnet really helps to keep the braids off of your neck or shoulders, and prevents you from laying on them or maybe your spouse laying on them and snagging.”

This moisturizing spray will lock in moistureusing two curlyhair besties,moringa oil and vitamin E, and willadd shine to reset your protective style. Spray it generously throughout your roots and braids, then seal in the moisture with a layer of hair oil.

“If you leave those braids in too long and you allow your hair to dry out, it’s going to crumble once you take those braids out,” says Green. Not ideal. Prevent the breakage-causing dryness by loading up on this argan oil-spiked leave-in conditioner before getting braided, or even DIY your own moisture mist by mixing one part leave-in with three-parts warm water in a spray bottle, shake, and spray on your braids throughout the day.

Speaking of which, your shelf of braid products isn’t complete without a bottle of this hair oil, made with a combo of castor oil and jojoba oil which lock in moisture and add shine. Rub a few drops between your palms and fingers (a little goes a long way, FYI) and smooth them over the length of your braids to smooth flyaways and amp up the shine.

The best mousse for braided hairstyles is a mousse without any drying alcohols—which is exactly what this bb is. Smooth a giant palmful (or two, depending on the length of your braids) over your roots and throughout your braids. Let them air-dry or cover with a silk scarf and dry with a hair dryer on low heat.

Trying to shampoo your braids without creating even more frizz? Not easy. Instead, Harris recommends this micellar water-based scalp rinse, which helps attract and break down dirt and oils without stripping your hair. Just squeeze the rinse along your part lines to fully saturate your scalp, massage it in, then gently rinse it out or dab with a wet washcloth.

If you’re big into ~exercise~ (wow, jealous), your sweaty scalp is going to need a lil extra TLC. The fix? An alcohol-based astringent, says Harris, which dissolves excess scalp oils between workouts. Just dip the end of a towel or a cotton ball into the astringent, then dab it along your entire scalp, gently tapping it in while you go. Just be careful: This stuff is drying, so make sure to follow with a lightweight conditioner spray to rehydrate your braids.

Once your braids are out—remember, four weeks max—Harris recommends first detangling your hair when it’s dry, since your hair will be even more fragile when it’s wet. This detangling brush is designed with bristles that are spaced far apart so you won’t feel as much yanking and pulling on knots as you gently work through your hair.