4 Feed in Braid Tutorials to Try

Braids have always been a top choice when it comes to hair styling, but there’s one braided hairstyle that’s having a major moment right now: feed in braids. Just like some of our other favorite braided looks, feed in braids are a protective hairstyle that also happens to be super stylish—basically the best of both worlds. So, that explains why you may have started to notice feed in braid styles all over your social media feed. Finding yourself intrigued? Well good news, you can give this hairstyle a go whether you have short, medium, or long hair. Below, we’re giving you all the details on this braided style, including how to do feed in braids four different ways.

WHAT ARE FEED IN BRAIDS?

Before we get to the fun part of creating feed in braids, you should know what feed in braids are. You can think of this style as a twist on the cornrow braid styles you know and love. Typically, cornrow styles done with extensions start with the hair being added at the beginning of each braid. With feed in braids, synthetic hair is added after your hair is braided, with the hair being fed into your hair mid-braid, hence the name. As a result, this technique creates the illusion of more natural, thicker, and longer braids.

HOW TO DO FEED IN BRAIDS: 4 EASY TUTORIALS

Interested in getting the look? There are a number of ways you can rock this style, including two and four feed in braids and a feed in braid ponytail. Below, find four tutorials for different options—pick your favorite and start braiding.

1. FOUR FEED IN BRAIDS TO THE BACK

Whether you’re going on vacation or need a chic no-fuss look for everyday life, you may want to give a four feed in braids style a try. Effortlessly chic and stylish, this timeless woven look will go the distance.

STEP #1: START WITH SMOOTH HAIR

Before you start creating a braided look, it’s important to start on freshly washed and blow-dried hair. Be sure to brush through your hair until it's smooth.

STEP #2: PART YOUR HAIR

Using a rattail comb, part your hair down the middle from your hairline to the back of your head. Continue to part your hair, splitting it into four even sections in total, one for each braid, so your style looks neat. Clip the sections you’re not working with out of your way, leaving just one free at a time.

STEP #3: CREATE YOUR FIRST FEED IN BRAID

Start by applying a hair gel or pomade, like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty, on the roots of one section to hold things together. With feed in braid styles, it’s all about edge control! Next, split your section into three pieces and starting on the left side, cross the hair over the middle strand, making it the new middle strand. Do the same on the right side. After three or four braid links, add thicker pieces of synthetic hair to your braid as you work your way down. The closer you get to the end of the braid, the more synthetic hair you should add.

STEP #4: ADD HOLDING SPRAY

Once you get to the nape of your neck with the braid, mist a holding spray like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Mega Spritz all over the ends of your hair. This will help your hair stick to the synthetic hair to prevent it from sticking out of the braid. Continue braiding and adding synthetic hair until finished.

STEP #5: REPEAT

Follow the same steps to create feed in braids on the remaining sections of hair.

STEP #6: MOUSSE

Seal your look with an egg-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It Volume Inject Mousse. This mousse will give your braids a strong hold for a long-lasting style. After all, you don’t want this beautiful look to unravel.

STEP #7: FINISH UP WITH HAIR SPRAY

Once your hair absorbs the mousse, give your hair a misting of the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Spray for a shiny finish. Voila!

2. TWO FEED IN BRAIDS

If you’re pressed for time, you can achieve a stunning feed in braid style with only two braids. Undeniably stunning, this hairstyle comes right in handy when you want to keep your look simple, practical, and (of course) stylish!

STEP #1: START WITH FRESH HAIR

Make sure your hair is washed and blow-dried to keep this style looking fresh and neat. It’s also a must to up your moisture game before doing feed in braids, so make sure to treat your tresses to a leave-in conditioner post-shower.

STEP #2: PART YOUR HAIR

Since you’re only rocking two braids, you don’t have to worry about creating multiple parts in your hair. Simply part your hair starting at the middle of your hairline and ending at the back of your head. Be sure that both sides are even and clip one side up to keep the hair out of your way.

STEP #3: CREATE THE FEED IN BRAID

Like the previous feed in braid style, you want to add a hair gel or pomade to your roots to keep your hair together. Then, start braiding your hair while adding synthetic extensions to increase thickness after you've completed a few links.

Editor’s note: The extensions aren’t only good for boosting volume. You can use colored synthetic hair to create vibrant looks without dying your strands.

STEP #4: GRAB HAIR SPRAY

Mist a hair spray evenly over the ends of your hair and continue braiding until finished.

STEP #5: REPEAT

Switch sides and repeat.

STEP #6: ADD YOUR MOUSSE

Apply hair mousse to your braids and make sure to evenly coat your hair for a lasting hold.

STEP #7: FINISH UP WITH HAIR SPRAY

Once your hair absorbs the mousse, give your braids a mist of hair spray for a shiny finish.

3. FEED IN BRAID PONYTAIL

Braided ponytails are a hairstyle staple, and the latest way to take this classic style to the next level is with feed in braids. There’s just one thing to keep in mind: Since this style requires braiding your hair at different angles, you may want to book an appointment with your hairstylist to get the look.

STEP #1: SMOOTH HAIR

Brush through your freshly washed and blow-dried hair until smooth.

STEP #2: PART YOUR HAIR

Start by parting your hair in the middle of your head, ending at the back. Next, part each section into two for a total of four sections of hair. Be sure to clip your hair out of the way to work with one section at a time. With your first section, create a small part and clip the rest of your hair to the side.

Editor’s note: Small feed in braids more your style? You can customize this look to suit your needs. Simply part your hair in more narrow sections to create the base for small braids.

STEP #3: CREATE YOUR BRAIDS

This step should be getting familiar by now. Start by applying a hair gel or hair pomade of your choice to the roots of your hair. Then, follow up with braiding your hair from the hairline, while incorporating synthetic hair pieces and working your way toward your ends.

STEP #4: HOLDING SPRAY

Spritz the end of your braid to keep your hair bound to the synthetic strands. Continue braiding and adding hair until finished.

STEP #5: REPEAT

You know exactly what to do! Work section by section until you have a ponytail full of braids. Once complete, secure your braids in a hair elastic. You can also grab a braid or two and wrap it around your ponytail, using bobby pins to secure in place.

STEP #6: MOUSSE

Seal the deal with a hair mousse to keep your masterpiece in place.

STEP #7: FINISH UP WITH HAIR SPRAY

Give your braids a mist of hair spray for effortless shine, and you’re all set!

4. SIDE SWEPT FEED IN BRAIDS

For those who like to add a little spice to their braided looks, feed in braids to the side is the style for you. Pulling all of your hair to the side and off your face, this look will take your style up a notch. Since the parting technique for this look is unique, consider that you may want to visit your stylist to achieve this hairstyle.

STEP #1: PREP YOUR HAIR

As always, you want to start with smooth and tangle-free hair. Brush through your mane until it’s smooth and ready to style.

STEP #2: PART YOUR HAIR

You want to part your hair at an angle to pull off these side-swept feed in braids. Start by parting your hair at the back on either side, going from one side to the other. Be sure to end your part toward your ear, so your braids fall at the side of your head.

STEP #3: START BRAIDING

Like the other feed in braid styles, you want to add a hair gel or pomade to the roots. Next, braid your hair from side to side and make sure to add synthetic hair every few links to increase thickness.

STEP #4: HOLDING SPRAY

Mist the ends of your hair with a strong-hold spray.

STEP #5: REPEAT

Continue to part your hair and braid each section making sure to add synthetic hair and spray as you go. Stop once you approach the middle section of your head.

STEP #6: BRAIDING THE FRONT OF YOUR HAIR

Now, this is where things switch up a bit. Once you get to the middle of your head, instead of parting your hair at an angle, part your hair straight across from side to side. Then braid each section toward the side of your head to fall in line with your previous braids. Be sure to add synthetic hair and holding spray as you create your braids for a thick finish.

STEP #7: MOUSSE

Once your braids are done, it’s time to add your mousse! Coat your hair with an egg-sized amount to keep your braids in place.

STEP #8: SEAL WITH HAIRSPRAY

The perfect finishing touch to any hairstyle, add a mist of hairspray to give your hair a luminous shine.

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