Protective Styles 101: Must-See Feed-In Braids

Hair braiding is an art form, and like any craft, there’s always room to improve your technique. If you’re ready to step up your hair braiding game this season, then get familiar with feed-in braids: A method that creates an illusion of natural, thicker, and longer cornrows, by feeding synthetic hair into natural plaits.

This approach blends natural and synthetic textures seamlessly and protects the health of your edges by reducing tension along the hairline. If cornrows are your protective style of choice this summer, then this is one hack to master.

To see what feed-in braids look like IRL, take a look at the dope coiffures below.

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This style is feed-in braid goals.

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These space buns are perfect for festival season.

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These neat and natural-looking cornrows check all the boxes.

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This style is amazing.

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We normally hate looking at the back of someone's head, but we can't stop staring at these dope ombre feed-in braids.

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A little color goes a long way.

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We love this braided ponytail.

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This style seamlessly blends smaller braids into larger braids.

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What's not to love about these neat heart shaped feed-in braids.

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Reveal fancy parts by fashioning your feed-in braids into a dope updo.

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Feed-in braids can even be fed into box braids.

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We love this braided bun.

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Make feed-in braids pop by adding color and fun parts.

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We're always about that bun life.

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Get your swerve on.

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With the feed-in braid technique, even longer braids look natural.