Whether you’re new to feed-in braids or rock them regularly, we’re here to share all the different ways you can wear them. From box braids and bun braids to Ghana braids and Fulani braids, we’ve got 25 stunning styles to inspire your next ‘do

Add length, volume, and color with ease.

Braids lend a beautiful combination of ease and versatility to textured hairstyling. With the addition of braiding hair, you can add length, volume, and color to your look while also protecting your strands. The feed-in technique allows braiding hair to intertwine with your natural strands.

“Feed-in braids are a protective style that involves integrating synthetic hair into your natural hair,” says cosmetologist Stanley Nolan. “This technique allows for the gradual addition of small pieces of synthetic hair as you braid, which not only enhances the overall length but also adds stability and versatility to your chosen style.”

Meet the expert

Whether you’re new to feed-in braids or rock them regularly, we’re here to share all the different ways you can wear them. From box braids and bun braids to Ghana braids and Fulani braids, we’ve got 25 stunning styles to inspire your next ‘do.

Boho Box Braids

While Boho braids give summery, island gyal energy, they’re a hairstyle you can wear all year long. They're a great protective style that offer amazing volume and texture. When wearing any braided hairstyle, Nolan recommends keeping your scalp moisturized and avoiding excessive tension on your hair to prevent damage.

Side Swept Braids

Featuring braids that are swept to one side, this style creates an asymmetrical effect. Because the braids are bigger, your styling appointment will be a lot shorter than that for a smaller look.

Fishtail Braids CROP

While actress Natiuri Naughton is wearing just one braid, the beautiful intricacy of a fishtail braid adds a ton of interest to what could have been a very simple style.

Boho Cornrows

Change up cornrows by adding a boho twist. In this look, television host Vick Hope wears straight-back cornrows with loose pieces of hair in a boho style through the lengths. For added interest, she added gold braid charms.

Middle Part Braids

While performing during the 2016 BET Awards, Byoncé rocked the iconic braided style she wore for the "Formation" album art—blonde cornrows that start in a middle part and trail out before descending into box braids with loose, curly ends.

Beaded High Ponytail

For a sculptural take on a ponytail, Smith recommends braiding your strands up into a ponytail and adding embellishments. “A beaded high ponytail combines the sleekness of a high ponytail with the decorative touch of beads,” says Nolan. “Itʼs a great way to add personality to your hairstyle.”

Cornrows

Cornrows are a classic choice. Like Joan Smalls, opt for angular patterns for a red-carpet moment.

Lemonade Braids

We all remember back in 2016 when Queen B was in her Lemonade moment, and we love the way Gabrielle Union put her own twist on the look. Smith explains that “lemonade braids are braided and swept to one side.”

Leg-Length Braids

If you’re on a vacation mindset like costume designer Shiona Turini, then you’ll want to get braids that are as long as your legs. While you may be sitting on the beauty shop chair for hours, the end result is so worth it.

Braided Bun

Take a note from Issa Rae and add texture to your bun by braiding the hair and looping it around itself. The look is simple yet statuesque.

High Ponytail

Coi Leray is channeling her inner Beyoncé with a high with a down-to-there braided high pony.

Braided Updo

For an updo with added length, feeding braiding hair through cornrows and then allow it to cascade into your desired style. “The key is starting with small sections of your natural hair, then feeding in extensions gradually,” says Smith. “It’s all about building up the size of the braid naturally so it doesn’t look too bulky at the root.”

Boho Bob Knotless Braids

If you want to try out boho braids, you can get them in a bob form just like Maleah Joi Moon. To prevent frizzing, Worrell says to sleep with your hair wrapped in a silk or satin scarf at night.

Jumbo Box Braids

Ms. Chloe Bailey transformed her locs into this Poetic Justice ponytail with the help of braiding har. The faux hair encases her locs, allowing the blonde to be the focal point of the look.

Skinny Long Braids

Just like Tessa Thompson, you can go with skinny long braids. Like any other braided look, regularly cleansing and moisturizing the scalp can help prevent dryness and flakiness. Worrell recommends using oils or moisturizing sprays to keep your scalp nourished.

Fulani Braids

Rihanna’s geometric Fulani braids added of structure to her light and airy look. It’s the perfect style to add interest to your everyday looks.

Simple Ghana Braids

If you’re looking for a sophisticated braided updo for an upcoming special event, get some braid inspiration from Yara Shahidi. Here, she wears clean cornrows that end in buns at her nape.

Two-Strand Twists

While this can be a playful alternative to braids, two-strand twists can be easy and simple to wear, according to Kerry Washington. Nolan notes that this is “a fun and textured look” that can be worn down or styled into an updo.

Side-Swept Braids

A braided bang is a great way to add texture to your look without spending hours in the braiding chair. We love that Alicia Keys styled her bun with a braided side bang and an opposing braided tendril to even out the look.

Braided Space Buns

FKA Twigs brings her unique sense of style to all of her looks, and these space buns are no different.

Halo Braid

A halo braid à la Lupita Nyong’o is a great, simple style. Adding braiding hair to the look provides lots of volume

Bejeweled Braids

Kerry Washington can rock a bejeweled braid look, and you can, too. Simply add gold charms to your hair for a touch of subtle shimmer.

Bantu Knots

Once you have braids installed, it’s so much fun to play with them and try different styles. Here, Willow Smith wears her braids in bantu knots.

Pompadour Braid

Janelle Monáe’s pompadour braid is giving us so much hair inspiration for the future.

Shiny Box Braids

Zendaya is proof that simple, small box braids are still a look. To maintain a polished, sleek finish, the hairstylists recommend using a mousse to smooth down any frizz.