Braid Trend: Rock Feed-In Braids This Summer

The Perfect Style Choice for Hot Summer Days

The summer isn’t over, and I know you may be thinking of ways to keep celebrating the summer vibes while still staying cool. It’s hot as Drake’s “In My Feelings” challenge, I need my scalp to get air, so I’m getting to try feed-in braids. Now, you know your girl isn’t selfish, so I’m going to go ahead and help you out. In this article, I’m going to not only share how to install feed-in braids, but also give you a variety of style suggestions. Before we get started, let's make our playlist selection. I get so excited when I listen to Jaden Smith’s song “Icon” and then I get even more hype when I watch the remix on Will Smith’s Instagram. It’s summer and play whatever gets you hype. Share with me what songs get you dancing by commenting below! Alright, it’s time to slay some braids while preserving your edges! Let's get started.

Feed-In Braid Basics

The basic feed-in braid isn’t hard once you get the process down. It does take practice but I feel like it’s a good challenge and the braid patterns are endless. Let's get into the basic braiding pattern so you can get as creative as you like.

Supplies

• Jumbo Braid Hair 84” (2 packs)
• Mousse
• Beeswax
• Edge control
• Hair gel
• Flatiron
• Rattail comb
• Hairspray

Before you start braiding prepare your braid hair by following the steps below:

Step #1

Cut the braid hair in half

Step #2

Thread the braid hair to help the braid taper at the end

Step #3

Add oil to your scalp before beginning to braid

Step #4

Divide out the sections of your braid hair and layout so you can reach them easily

Step #5

Make sure your parts are neat

Method 1

Step #1

Detangle your hair

Step #2

Part out your first section

Step #3

Leave out your edges to smooth out at the end

Step #4

Begin braiding the section

Step #5

Grab a piece of hair and place between your pointer and thumb

Step #6

Grab your natural piece of hair and add in with the next strand

Step #7

Grab larger sections of hair to make the braid bigger as you braid further down

Step #8

Smooth the hair and remove tangles (with your fingers) as you continue braiding

Step #9

An option is to use a gel as you braid to keep your hair neat

Step #10

When you part your next section take edge control and smooth it on both sides of the part

Step #11

Smooth your edges with edge control

Method 2

Step #1

Detangle your hair

Step #2

Part out your first section

Step #3

Begin braiding the section

Step #4

Grab a piece of braiding hair and put one side of it between your pointer and thumb

Step #5

Continue braiding but leave the other side loose

Step #6

On the left side of your braid take the loose strand and put it in between your pointer and your thumb

Step #7

Grab larger pieces of hair to make the braid bigger as you braid further down Tip: If you want to combine your braids in the back take one strand of your first braid and add in the other two strands of hair.

Step #8

Put mousse on braids

Step #9

Spray with hairspray

Step #10

Dip the ends in hot water

Step #11

Trim the stray hairs on your braids

Style Options with Feed-in Braids

Now that you have the basis feed-in braid technique perfected there are so many different styles you can create. Below are perfect options to wear for the rest of the summer. I already know you will be cute!

1. Accessorized Braids

Braid cuffs and beads are the right accessories to add to your feed-in braids. Another option is the colored or metallic thread, yarn or string to wrap around your braids. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to accessorize your braids with yarn or string.

Step #1

Complete your feed-in braids

Step #2

Dip the ends of your braids in boiling water

Step #3

Towel dry your braids once they cool

Step #4

Grab your string, yarn or thread

Step #5

Fold it in the middle where it is even on both sides

Step #6

Lay the thread on top of the braid

Step #7

Wrap it around the braid and bring both ends back around to the front of the braid

Step #8

Crisscross the thread to form an “X” on the front of the braid

Step #9

Continue the process until you get close to the end of the braid

Step #10

At the stopping point, double knot your yarn or thread

Step #11

Cut the end off Tip: You can start and stop your thread anywhere you want on the braid. Be creative!

2. Braided Bun

A nice twist is a braided bun. Your feed-in braids are extremely versatile which makes it easy for you to create this style. You can design your braid pattern into a bun to make it easier to pull them up or create your braids long enough to wrap them into a bun.

Step #1

Complete your braids

Step #2

Lay your edges

Step #3

Put the braids in a ponytail using an elastic

Step #4

Wrap half of the braids around the base of the ponytail

Step #5

Wrap the remaining braids around the base of the ponytail in the opposite direction

3. Center Braid

The center braid is regal! I love the look, and it’s one of those hairstyles that looks good regardless of the occasion or outfit you are wearing.

Things to Remember:

• Remember to part your hair in the center and make sure it’s even on both sides
• Make sure the part is neat
• Braid the center part all the way back or to the point where you want your center part design to end
• Add accessories to the center part to add even more eye appeal

4. Fishbone Braids

These fishbone feed-in braids give me all kind of Al Iverson vibes. His braids are as iconic as his talent on the court. Let's get into how to create these braids with the steps below:

Step #1

Add edge control to your hairline

Step #2

Part out a center section of your hair

Step #3

Braid up the center section to keep the hair out of the way

Step #4

Section the hair on the right side into three parts

Step #5

Pull each part into a ponytail

Step #6

Unbraid the center section and divide it into two sections by leaving a small section in the front and the rest in the back

Step #7

Part out a small section of hair from the front center ponytail after you take it down

Step #8

Begin braiding this small section to the center; you will have four braids on one side and then do the same thing on the opposite side

Step #9

Pull the ends of the braids up into a ponytail

Step #10

Begin braiding the first ponytail on the right side

Step #11

Part the ponytail out into small sections and braid the same way as the previous braid

Step #12

Continue the same braiding pattern on all sections on the right side

Step #13

Braid all the sections the same way on the let side

Step #14

Grab your braiding hair and cut it in half

Step #15

Split the hair into small sections to prepare for your feed-in braids

Step #16

Begin braiding the hair on the right side and add in your hair as you braid

Step #17

Refer above for how to feed hair into your braid

Step #18

Begin braiding the hair on the left side and add in your hair as you braid

Step #19

Dip the ends of the braids in hot water

Step #20

Spray your scalp with oil

Step #21

Add accessories to your braids

5. Lemonade Side Braids

Everyone is slaying the side braids (aka lemonade braids). The versatility of them makes them a good option for a vacation. You can put them up in a side bun as well as a single braid. Take the infamous picture of Beyonce rocking them to your braider, and you will be ready for the next concert in style.

6. Fulani braids

Fulani braids are different from cornrows. They tend to be more detailed in design. They are distinctive because of their braid pattern which is one large braid going back down the center of the head and forward facing plaits. These braids are eye-catching.

Live Your Best Life This Summer

Braids are extremely versatile and trendy. As you can see from all the variations above you can take one style and flip it so many ways. To be honest, we’ve worn braids even when they were not trendy. From childhood all the way to adulthood, they have been a staple in our culture. Feed-in braid designs are limitless. In all types of designs. We want to see your braids so please tag us at Private Label Extensions. You may get featured on our Instagram page. Comment below with tips on how you make your braids last and the products you use on your braids to keep them neat.