You can always add extensions to your braids for dramatic length or to protect your natural hair from damage. Preston, who works with Taraji P. Henson, recommends Kanekalon hair, which is synthetic. Its coarse texture mimics naturally coily hair, so the braid holds better. Plus, it's really cheap — and you might need to buy it in bulk, depending on what style and length you're going for. Most people need a minimum of five packs, just to be on the safe side.When adding hair, take a small section of your extensions and wrap it around your hair, picking it up and overlapping it in your braid as you would with your real hair. There's also the option of soaking your extensions in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and hot water before installation. According to blogger Sincerely Crys , this removes the alkaline base coating on the hair that can cause uncomfortable itching.