If you’re wanting to get your hair braided but aren’t sure how much you should be paying, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve done some research to help you budget for your next salon visit.
The average cost of braids is between $100 to $300, but this depends. Box braids, which is the most common type of braids, costs around $100 with service fees, whilst micro braids could cost up to $400. That said, prices may vary depending on the braiding type, location, and the salon or the braider’s skill and popularity.
Take a look at the table below to get the average cost of different types of braids:
| Braid Types: | Average Cost: | How Long They Last: | |
| 01. | Box Braids | $100 – $300 | 6 – 8 weeks |
| 02. | Faux Locs | $150 – $300 | 4 -6 weeks |
| 03. | Cornrows | $50 – $100 | 6 weeks |
| 04. | Ghana/African Braids (cornrows with hair extensions) | $120 – $200 | 2 weeks |
| 05. | Twists | $120 – $220 | ± 2 months |
| 06. | Micro Braids | $180 – $400 | 3 months |
| 07. | Yarn Braids | $125 – $300 | 5 – 8 weeks |
| 08. | French Braids | $50 – $120 | 6 weeks |
| 09. | Tree Braids | $150 – $200 | 4 – 6 weeks |
*If you plan on getting your braids done at home the prices may vary depending on your braider
Keep reading to find out more about how the most popular type of braids, box braids, are priced and where to go for the best prices! I’ve also compiled a list of handy tips to help you make your braids last longer. Take a look!
Box Braid Costing – Deeper Look
The cost of box braids starts at $100 to $300 depending on the length, size of the braids, and your location. The cost may also vary depending on the pricing methods of your braider or the salon you’re at.
The cost of box braids is between $100-$300; box braids are priced according to their length or by how long it takes to braid them. Some salons charge $100 for braids between 10-12 inches long; then, the cost will increase by $10-$20 for every two inches above that. They may charge $100 for the first hour, then add $15 every additional hour.
By hair length: Some salons or braiders will charge their clients based on their hair length. For example, prices may start at $100 for hair between 10 and 12 inches long; then, the cost will increase by $10 or even $20 for every two inches above that.
By the hour: Some salons or braiders will charge their clients based on how long it takes to braid their hair. For instance, the cost of large box braids may start at $100 for the first hour, then an additional $15 is added for every hour after that.
If you’d like to take a look at some of the detailed price lists for box braids at a few of the best salons for braiding, take a look!
Popular Braiding Salons And Their Box Braids Pricing
The average cost of box braids at salons is $120 for 10-12 inch box braids, $180 for 18-20 inch box braids, and $280 for 26-28 inch box braids. That said, this does depend on your location and how thick, or your box braids are as10-12 inch thin box braids can range between $180-$195.
Take a look at some of the most popular braiding salons and their prices for box braids, you might just find one near you!
1. Natural Hair Braiding by Shawna in Kansas City, Missouri :
- Children aged 8 and below – $80
- 16 to 18-inch box braids – $100
- +20-inch box braids – $125
Take a look at their website to book an appointment!
2. Lady A Braids and Hairweaving Studio in Humble, Texas:
- 12-inch box braids – $180
- 16 to 18-inch box braids – $210
- Box braids that have cornrows – $190
- Thin box braids – $195
- Medium-sized box braids – $180
- Thick box braids – $130
Take a look at their website to book an appointment!
3. The House of Weaves and Braids in Allentown, Pennsylvania:
- 10 to 12-inch box braids – $120
- 18 to 20-inch box braids – $180
- 26 to 28-inch box braids – $280
Take a look at their website to book an appointment!
4. The Conscious Coils Salon in Portland, Oregon:
- Thick box braids – $45 for the first hour; $15 for each additional hour
- Box braids that have single twists – $35 per hour
Take a look at their website to book an appointment!
5. Image by Bignon’s Braiding Weaving & Hair Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina:
- Box braids – +$120
- Box braids in a bob – +$165
- Box braids pixie style – +$185
- Box braids that have cornrows – +$130
Take a look at their website to book an appointment!
The Best Hair Extensions For Box Braids And Their Pricing?
Kanekalon hair is the best hair extensions to use for box braids. There are 2 types of Kanekalon hair often used for box braids: Kanekalon braids and Xpression. Kanekalon braids cost between $1.99-2.49 per pack, whilst Xpression costs around $4.99-$5.99 per pack. That said, Xpression is thicker and longer than Kanekalon braids and is less frizzy.
If you’d like to know how many packs of extensions you need for box braids, take a look at the table below:
| Kanekalon Braids: | Cost: | |
| Thin Box Braids | 6 – 8 packs | $11.94 – $15.94 |
| Medium-Sized Box Braids | 8 – 10 packs | $15.92 – $24.90 |
| Thick Box Braids | 8 – 10 packs | $15.92 – $24.90 |
| Xpression: | Cost: | |
| Thin Box Braids | 3 – 5 packs | $14.97 – $29.95 |
| Medium-Sized Box Braids | 4 – 5 packs | $19.96 – $29.95 |
| Thick Box Braids | 4 – 6 packs | $19.96 – $35.94 |
Now that you know all the ins and outs about where to get your box braids and how much you should be paying for them, let’s take a look at how you can get the most out of your money by making your braids last longer.
4 Ways To Make Your Braids Last Longer
The easiest way to make your braids last longer is to wrap your braids up in a silk/satin bonnet when going to bed. If you don’t have a bonnet, you can use a silk headscarf. This prevents your braids from getting frizzy, thus making them last longer. Wrapping braids also protects your braids from friction caused when you move around in your sleep.
Keep reading to see what other steps you can take to make your braids last longer.
1. Knotless Braids
If you are getting single braids, then I highly recommend that you get knotless braids. Knotless braids cause a lot less tension and pulling on your hairline as they are fed into your natural hair when braiding.
Knotless braids not only save and protect your hairline, thus allowing you to keep your hair braided for longer, but they also allow you to sleep better those first few nights after getting your hair braided. The absence of constant tugging and pulling on your scalp allows knotless braids to be styled in more ways as well.
2. Moisturize Your Hair
Moisturizing your hair and scalp regularly while your hair is braided will limit your hair’s damage caused by braids. Your hair and scalp will be able to accommodate new hair growth as well. There are two ways to keep your hair moisturized whilst your hair is braided:
- With Hair Oils. Applying hair oils to braided hair twice a week improves the elasticity of new hair growth and protects your scalp from the tugging and pulling caused by braids. Amazing hair oil for restoring moisture to braided hair is the Jamaican Mango No More Itch, Gro Spray. It can be purchased from Amazon for only $4.36.
- With Leave-In Conditioners. Leave-in hair conditioners not only moisturize your hair, but they also protect your hair from shedding and also prevent split-ends from forming. A leave-in conditioner that I swear by is the Palmer’s Formula Leave-in Conditioner that you can get from Amazon for only $5.82.
3. Wash Your Hair
When your hair is braided, you should be washing your hair at least once a week to keep your scalp and hair clean and free from any product build-up.
You can wash your hair by:
- Having A Dry Wash: Where you wet a facecloth with shampoo and warm water, then gently rub the facecloth on your scalp to clean it. You can even dry a dry shampoo every other day if you have an active lifestyle. The OGX Refresh Revitalize Extra Strength Argan Oil is a good dry shampoo to try for only $6.99.
- Having A Wet Wash: You actually wash your hair and braids using water, shampoo, and conditioner. If you would like a detailed step-by-step method to do this, check out this amazing article that does just that! Click Here. (publish an article)
4. Retire The Tight Ponytails
Give your hair a break from tight ponytails and tight up-do hairstyles as they tug and pull on your hairline, thus causing the hair the fallout and your hairline to recede—our worst nightmare.
Styling your braids this way can also shorten their lifespan. Try a loose hairstyle every now again. If your braids are too long, then you can use a headband to keep them out of your face.