It’s that weird, middle-ground shade. You’ve seen it on the racks at the beauty supply store, sandwiched between the harsh brightness of a #613 platinum and the muted, mousy browns of a #27. Color 24 braiding hair is a bit of an underdog in the hair world, but it’s arguably one of the most versatile synthetic fibers you can get your hands on. Honestly, if you’re aiming for a "sun-kissed" look that doesn't scream artificial, this is your color.
Finding the right shade of blonde for a protective style is a nightmare. Too light, and you look washed out. Too dark, and it just looks like a dirty brown. Color 24—often called Light Golden Blonde or Wheat Blonde—hits that sweet spot. It mimics the natural highlights found in human hair that has spent a summer at the beach. It’s warm. It’s buttery. It’s surprisingly sophisticated for a synthetic fiber.
What Is Color 24 Braiding Hair, Really?
In the standard hair coloring system used by brands like Kanekalon, X-pression, and Outre, the numbers aren't just random. They follow a logic. The lower numbers (1, 1B, 2) are your blacks and dark browns. As you climb the ladder, you get into the 20s, which is where the blondes live.
Color 24 is technically a Medium-to-Light Golden Blonde. It is significantly cooler than #27 (Strawberry Blonde), which has those distinct reddish-orange undertones that can sometimes look "brassy" on certain skin tones. Conversely, it’s much darker and more "natural" than #613. If #613 is a Barbie-doll blonde, #24 is more like a California surfer blonde.
You’ll find this shade most commonly in jumbo braiding hair, pre-stretched packs, and crochet locs. Because it lacks the heavy red pigments of a #30 or #27, it reflects light differently. It has a matte-yet-luminous quality. It’s soft.
Why Stylists Use Color 24 for Custom Blends
Most people don't use color 24 braiding hair straight out of the pack for a full head of braids. I mean, you can, and it looks striking, especially on deeper skin tones where the contrast is high. But where this color really shines is in the mix.
Professional braiders often treat color 24 like a "toner" for synthetic hair.
Mix it with a #4 (Dark Brown) to create a sophisticated ash-blonde highlight. Blend it with a #27 to tone down the orange and give the hair more dimension. If you look at the work of famous braiders like Shani Crowe or the stylists behind some of Beyoncé’s iconic lemonade braids, you’ll notice they rarely use a single flat color. They’re layering. They’re blending.
Putting color 24 at the tips of dark braids creates a seamless ombré that looks expensive. It doesn’t have that jarring "line" where the color changes. Because it’s a golden-based blonde, it transitions from brown much more naturally than a white-blonde would.
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The Texture and Longevity Factor
Here is something nobody tells you: the color of the hair actually affects how it behaves.
Wait, what?
Yes. The chemical process used to dye synthetic fibers like Kanekalon or Toyokalon changes the texture. Generally, the lighter the hair, the more "processed" it is. This is why #613 can sometimes feel like plastic straw—it’s been heavily treated to strip away pigment.
Color 24 sits in a Goldilocks zone. It’s light enough to be blonde but dark enough that the fibers usually retain their softness. If you’re getting waist-length small box braids, you want hair that won't tangle by week three. Color 24 braiding hair tends to have a smoother "slip" than the ultra-pale blondes. It dips well in hot water. The ends seal neatly.
Getting the Skin Tone Match Right
Will it look good on you? Probably.
But there’s a nuance to it. Since color 24 is a "golden" blonde, it has warm undertones. If you have a very cool, pinkish undertone to your skin, you might find that it clashes slightly. However, for those with yellow, olive, or neutral undertones, it’s basically a glow-up in a pack.
- For Dark Skin Tones: It pops. It looks intentional and high-fashion.
- For Medium/Olive Skin Tones: It looks like your natural hair color if you had spent three months in the Caribbean.
- For Light Skin Tones: It can be a bit tricky. If it’s too close to your actual skin color, you might look "monochrome." In this case, blending it with a darker root (#2 or #4) is the move.
Real-World Usage: Not Just Box Braids
While jumbo braids are the standard, color 24 braiding hair is increasingly popular in the "Boho" or "Goddess" braid trend. This is where you have the structural braid mixed with loose, curly strands of human or synthetic hair.
Using color 24 for the loose curls creates a halo effect. Because it's a lighter shade, it catches the light as you move. It makes the style look "airy" rather than heavy.
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Then there’s the crochet factor. If you’re doing passion twists or faux locs, color 24 provides a rustic, "lived-in" look. It doesn't look like you just walked out of a salon with a fresh paint job; it looks like the hair has some history to it. It’s earthy.
Myths and Misconceptions
People often confuse #24 with #22. Don’t do that. #22 is a champagne blonde, much cooler and almost silvery. If you ask for #24 and get #22, you’re going to look like you’re wearing tinsel.
Another misconception is that color 24 is "old lady blonde."
This stems from the 90s when blonde highlights were often chunky and poorly blended. But modern braiding techniques—like the knotless method—have completely rebranded this shade. It’s now the go-to for "quiet luxury" hair. It’s for the person who wants to be blonde without being "loud" about it.
How to Maintain the Color and Shine
Synthetic hair doesn't "fade" like human hair does because the color is baked into the plastic fiber. However, it can become dull.
The enemy of color 24 braiding hair is product buildup. Because the color is light, things like edge control, heavy oils, and dust show up much more clearly than they would on black hair. You’ll start to see a grayish film if you aren’t careful.
- Dilute your shampoo. Never pour thick shampoo directly onto the braids. Mix it with water in a spray bottle.
- Mousses over oils. Use a lightweight foaming mousse to keep flyaways down. Heavy greases will just trap dirt and make your beautiful golden blonde look muddy.
- The Satin Scarf is Non-Negotiable. Friction causes the fibers to fray. When blonde hair frays, it loses its sheen and starts to look "fried." Wrap it up every single night.
The Cost of Going Golden
One thing to watch out for is availability.
Most local shops stock 1, 1B, 2, 4, 27, 30, and 613. Color 24 is a "specialty" shade. You might have to hunt for it or order it online from retailers like Ebonyline, SamsBeauty, or directly from X-pression distributors.
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Because it’s less common, sometimes the price per pack is a dollar or two higher. Is it worth it? Yes. Especially if you’re doing a custom blend. Buying three packs of #4 and one pack of #24 to mix in is a cheap way to make a $200 braiding appointment look like a $500 one.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for Buying
When you are looking at the packs, check the lighting. Beauty supply stores have notoriously terrible fluorescent lighting that makes everything look more yellow than it actually is. Take the pack to the window. Look at it in natural light.
If the "golden" looks more like "yellow-highlighter," put it back. You’re looking for a creamy, wheat-like tone. That is the hallmark of a high-quality color 24.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Style
If you’re ready to try color 24 braiding hair, don't just dive in blindly. Start by deciding if you want a full head or a blend.
For a subtle introduction, ask your stylist for a "Honey Mix." This usually involves taking two strands of a dark brown and one strand of color 24 for every single braid. This creates a "twinkling" effect where the blonde peek-a-boos through the dark hair.
If you’re going full blonde, opt for the knotless method. Knotless braids show more of your natural scalp, which breaks up the block of color and makes the blonde look less like a wig and more like it’s growing out of your head.
Lastly, check your wardrobe. Color 24 looks incredible with jewel tones—emeralds, deep blues, and rich purples. It can wash you out if you wear a lot of beige or tan, so keep that in mind when planning your outfits for the weeks you’ll be rocking this style.
Go for the "pre-stretched" version of the hair if you can find it. It saves your stylist time and prevents the ends from being too blunt, giving you that tapered, natural finish that makes color 24 look its absolute best.