Braids and Blowout

Chase Infiniti is our newest hair muse. With feed-in braids in the front and a fluffy blowout in the back, her style is beyond cool.

All to the Side Braids

Tyla’s freestyle feed-in braids feel fresh and playful, while the side-swept styling adds an effortlessly cool edge.

Face-Framing Braids

Sometimes, you want a little face-framing moment. Justine Skye’s style features two plaits that hang in front, giving the classic braided look an unexpected finish.

Ombré Topknot

From the intricate partings to the golden-hued bun, this feed-in topknot style is a showstopper.

“A nice alternative to this style would be regathering the braids into an effortless high ponytail,” Hampton says. “Elevate this style by then wrapping the base of the pony with three of the braids to cover the hair tie.”

Crystal Cornrows

Steal actress Quinta Brunson’s cornrows and crystal-embellished edges for your next special occasion. “This look is so stunning already,” Hampton says. To add variety to this style, she suggests using “a triple-barrel wave iron to add a little more texture to the unbraided ends of the hair.”

Side-Swept Braids

Here, side-swept braids look natural and seamless thanks to the feed-in technique.

According to Hampton, these braids would look equally chic woven into a crown braid. “Run cornrow braids along the side of the head [and] continue to loosely wrap braids around the head, using hairpins to hide the ends of the braid,” she explains.

Fishtail Feed-In

This fishtail braid pony look has creativity and style to spare. “For a more relaxed look, loosen the strands of the fishtail braid sections with the end of a rattail comb,” Hampton says.

Blue Braided Bob

Blue is always a good choice for adding color to dark hair. Here, the cobalt color combined with curls and braids creates a cool, textured long bob.

To switch up the look of this style, twirl your braids into Bantu knots. “Section the hair from the ear forward, then again in half to create two Bantu knots,” Hampton says. “For a summer day, do smaller sections and knot approximately eight to 10 total,” then “secure with hairpins.”

Sculptural Updo

Yara Shahidi crushes yet another red carpet with help from stylist Nikki Nelms, who wove her feed-in braids into this innovative updo.

“Yara’s hair is already a masterpiece here,” Hampton says. “A nice addition would be to wrap a metallic thread or small gems around some of the braids to add some shine and texture to the look.”

Two-Strand Twists

These chunky feed-in twists with immaculately styled edges play with texture and shape. “Pull the two-strand twists up from the ears and above into a high ponytail for a cute [and] casual look,” Hampton suggests.

Extra-Long Cornrows

Karrueche Tran’s long, sleek braids are giving us Beyoncé “Say My Name” vibes. On a hot day, Hampton suggests weaving these braids into pigtails and topping off your look with a bucket hat.

Beaded High Ponytail

To achieve this beaded high ponytail, you’ll probably spend a significant amount of time in your braider’s chair, but Vanessa Matsena’s beaded ‘do is worth the wait. Hampton suggests going “full goddess” with this look by “adding a head wrap, keeping the top open, [and] allowing the braids to cascade along the side.”

Cornrow Bun

Bianca Lawson’s cornrows don’t appear to feature extensions, but feed-in braids could work with this look—just add a little hair and gold wire.

Long, Side-Swept Cornrows

Beyoncé has been giving us braid-spiration since she and Destiny’s Child hit the scene in the ’90s. Her waist-length braids epitomize her diva status. “Beyoncé’s side-swept cornrows can be transformed by braiding the lengths into a fishtail braid,” Cuthbert says.

Red, Fulani-Style Updo

The traditional Fulani style gets a twist with gorgeous red color and an intricately knotted updo, courtesy of the trendsetting Nara Hair Braiding salon in Raleigh, North Carolina. “These tribal braids by Nara were completed with a braided crown,” Cuthbert explains. “However, the style looks just as good with the lengths hanging down.”

Cornrowed Bubble Braids

Brazilian blogger Magá Moura is another naturalista who shows us how versatile our natural coils can be by adding bubble braids to this look.

Cuthbert suggests playing around with the pattern of your baby hairs: “Wavy patterns work well on longer edges, while swirls are fun for shorter edges,” he says. 

Pink Bob

This baby pink bob is a cool, protective style option, especially in the summertime. Cuthbert recommends decorating the partings of this hairstyle with stick-on crystals. “Use eyelash glue and your favorite gems,” he suggests.

Ultra-Long Braided Ponytail

Keep adding in hair to your single ponytail to give the look a dramatic finish.

Boho Bob

Add some fun texture to your braided feed-in bob by adding in some curly strands to achieve the goddess braids effect. Cut the ends in a blunt style for a super chic look.

Knotted Crown

Bantu knots make for the perfect hairstyle, but this knotted crown, paired with the box braids, really makes a statement.

Faux Shaved Side

Shaving the sides of your head can be a massive commitment, but you can fake it using cornrows like Teyana Taylor.

Chunky High Ponytail

Paola Mathé’s cool braided updo isn’t one-dimensional, Cuthbert insists. “Paola’s braid ponytail can also be worn in a braided topknot,” he says. “Twist it into a bun [and] use a few pins for added security or your favorite scrunchie.”

Half-Up, Half-Down

This braided look is ideal for crocheting; ask your stylist to install individual feed-ins to the front of your hair, then install the rest with crochet. These skinny braids are also super versatile, lending themselves to all kinds of braided updos, Cuthbert says.

“A half-up, half-down style can be swept completely off of the neck [and] into a milkmaid braid or braided crown,” he says.

Side-Swept Lob

A braided lob is a nice middle ground for someone who wants some length without the commitment of cascading extensions. In addition to being low-maintenance, this style is also adaptable, Cuthbert says.

“This braided bob is begging to be fully adorned by hair jewelry. More is more,” he emphasizes. “It easily turns into a chic low ponytail with a side-swept swoop.”

Center-Parted Cornrows

If you have shoulder-length hair, you can ask for Keillah Okari’s style as is or add extensions for longevity and fullness. Cuthbert says this “center-parted braided style is the perfect foundation for creating space buns or pigtails.”

Mohawk Bubble Braid

Feed-in braids lend themselves to many style options, as seen above. “I love the creativity in this look,” Kimble says. “To put my flair on it, I would remove the braids and just keep the hair on the scalp sleek.”

Rapunzel with a Twist

These extra-long Dutch braids are not only floor-sweeping, but the braided pompadour at the top of the head gives this look a red carpet finish.

Beehive Braids

These straight-back braids with a braided beehive-inspired pompadour at the top make this hairstyle elegant and fun.

Fulani Braids

Adding a braid where your middle part would be gives this style an elevated, cool-girl look. If you’re an experienced braider, Kimble suggests adding “some more hair into the braids, so you can have more texture to create a tree-braid effect.” (We think these braids would look amazing knotted into a low bun à la Zoë Kravitz.)

Chunky Red Stitch

By subtly weaving red extensions into these stitch braids, the stylist creates this jaw-dropping ombré effect. To take this look to the next level, Kimble suggests adding “some ribbon or embroidery thread into the braids.”

Red Bob

Okay, this asymmetrical bob is fire (pun intended), and the gold charms on the blunt, burned ends set it off. “This look is so vibrant and fun already, but I would add more accessories to the braids for even more pizzazz,” Kimble says.

Accessorized Waist-Length Braids

These feed-in braids remind us that we can honor traditional African styles while adding a modern twist. “This hair is breathtaking and the braids are bomb,” Kimble says. “I would add more color in the braids.”

Yellow-and-White Topknot

This bright yellow-and-white ‘do is the ultimate eye-catcher. We love the contrast of her alternating thick and thin cornrows.

For a change, Kimble suggests adding some dimension to this lemonade-hued topknot with darker-colored extensions; to get a similar look at home, wrap braids with black embroidery floss.

All on One Side

Geometric braids are a reminder that simple doesn’t have to be boring. To switch things up, Kimble says she “would take the braids and roll them into an updo and add some fun accessories.”

Stitch Braids with an Undercut

This undercut-stitch braid combo is geometric eye candy. “I love this look so much!” Kimble gushes. To make the undercut “pop even more” on this style, she recommends adding color; try a spray-on, wash-out hair color.

Dutch Braids

Here is another example proving that Dutch braids work with the feed-in technique. “This look is so fun and youthful,” Kimble says. To switch up the look, twist up the pigtails to “create two buns on either side of the head.”

Straight-Back Braids

Cornrows with extra length is never a bad choice.

Jumbo Braids

Keke Palmer’s jumbo braids give us “Poetic Justice” vibes in the best way possible. Since the braids are so thick, this is a style that you can easily do yourself.

Extra-Long Pigtails

If you’re looking for a style that’s super easy but gives maximum impact, take a look at Tessa Thompson’s XXL pigtail braids. We especially love the chic baby hairs that frame her face.

Wavy Cornrows

Beyoncé is the most innovative artist in the world, and of course, it shows in her hairstyles as well. These wavy cornrows and reminiscent of 1940s finger waves, but with a modern twist.

Feed-In Twists

Yes, Kerry Washington’s twists technically aren’t braids, but feed-in twists are a stunning update. You can also add in some gold hair accessories to take the look up a notch.

Leg-Length Braids

For a super dramatic look, try extra-long feed-in braids like Zendaya. To keep your braids sleek for longer, make sure to wear a satin bonnet at night.

Braided Updo

Looking for a bridal (or any special occasion look)? Opt for a feed-in updo like Issa Rae. To keep the edges as sleek as possible, make sure to use an edge control.

Curly Box Braids

Think about adding some texture to your box braids by using textured, curly braiding hair. Not only does it give your hair more dimension, it looks super natural—like you just got home from an afternoon at the beach.

Box Braided Locs

Chloe Bailey is most famous for her gorgeous locs, but you can totally style your locs with feed-in braids. If your locs are super soft and somewhat thin, it’s easy to conceal the locs within the braids.

Fishtail Braid

Storm Reid’s fishtail braid is proof that feed-in braid styles are just as versatile as sew-ins and wigs.

Blonde Goddess Braids

Goddess braids are one of the newest braided styles out, and needless to say, we’re obsessed with the boho chic look that this hairstyle gives.

French-Curled Braided Bob

Don’t think all feed-in braid styles have to be super long—you can totally go for a bob like Amandla Stenberg. Embrace your playful side and pretend you’re a redhead using warm burgundy kanekalon braiding hair.

Floor-Length Braids

If there’s anything to take away from this is that the longer the braids, the more dramatic the look.

Criss-Cross Braids

Switching up the hair part is the easiest way to spruce up your braids. These criss-cross cornrows are stunning on everyone, Rihanna included.