Braid Spray

Braid Spray is the generic term for a variety of spray-on hair conditioners that can be used to care for and maintain synthetic hair.

Braid Spray
Braid spray or braid sheen spray is a gentle spray-on conditioner, mostly made of water with several conditioning herbs and synthetics included. The cost of a bottle ranges from three dollars to six dollars, depending on location.

The product was developed in the Black hair care community to maintain elaborate braided hairstyles. As these hairstyles are complicated to put up, they are worn for extended periods of time--upwards of months or, with careful mantenaince, years. It is not easy or prudent to remove these elaborately done styles or extensions for daily moisturizing or washing. Black hair does not make the same level of oils as other racial groups; hair can break, mat, knot, unwillingly dread, or tangle without regular moisturization and care. Braid spray is designed to keep the hair style neat and conditioned without needing to take it down and is simply sprayed onto the braids and scalp and massaged in. Used with spray-in shampoo, hair is healthy and well cared for.

Braid Spray as Applied to American Girl Dolls
American Girl recommends that a doll's hair be damp when brushed or styled to prevent breakage and to use water in a spray bottle. However, doll hair is made of the same thing many women use for hair extensions or braids--a high-quality kanekalon. Therefore, the same spray can be used on doll hair to maintain it and keep it soft. It only takes a few sprays to moisturise hair and may feel slightly oily, but it is not enough to cause any issues with doll hair. If hair feels extremely oily or greasy, too much has been sprayed on.

As with water, it is important to prevent the spray from going into a doll's eyes to prevent rusting. An average twelve-ounce bottle can last several months regardless of the amount of dolls.

Locating Braid Spray
A person should look in the "ethnic" section of a hair care section in various stores that sell hair care products, or at a Black beauty supply store. The most prolific brand is African Pride.