The truth is, the more you age, the better the style becomes. Believe it or not there is a type of confidence in the 50’s age bracket that makes this style even more appealing. Women of this age group have a tendency to look more purposeful in how they arrange and style the extensions, and there is definitely none of that “I saw this on TikTok” vibe about them. Instead, it is just a person who knows what she wants.
A client of mine from last year had worn a wig for SIX years, and when she finally got the chance to sit in my chair, I remember her going almost apologetically while saying she wanted jumbo feed-ins. Three hours later, she was in tears and it had nothing to do with my hair pulling. Six years is no small feat, and she had told me she had never seen her hairline in that long. That is the beauty of this style, it reconnects you with something. This style is protective and practical. I have compiled 23 of my favorite jumbo feed in braid looks, and I have strong opinions about a lot of them so please bear with me.
#1: High Bun Feed-ins That Make You Look Like You Have Somewhere Important to Be
This looks like you absolutely own the room and know how to enjoy yourself. The thickness of the feed-in braids is delightful — they’re not so thick you’ll be gritting your teeth by day three, but they are substantial enough to look good. The high bun really makes the look, and the hair being so sleek, dark to light, and ombre at the ends is a fabulous touch and stops the hairstyle from looking boring and flat to be honest. Height is your friend if you carry weight in your cheeks, and that is the case here. I personally love a hairstyle that you can put up and not have to think about for weeks, and this is totally one of those looks.
#2 Side Ponytail Feed-ins for When You’re Feeling a Little Playful
Yes, I realize there’s a certain age range as to how appropriate a side ponytail with jumbo feed ins can look, but here we are, and it works. The braids are slightly over shoulder length with great texture, and the side sweep definitely keeps it from looking like she just “pulled it over” and is nice and neat. The fullness is also clever here, full enough to look good but not so full that it weighs a ton. I will say though, if you’re pulling braids to one side, be sure to keep up with your scalp oil on the side where the tension is, your edges will thank you.
#3: Top Knot Feed-ins with Just Enough Sparkle
This style has much potential! The topknot looks really big which means there is probably a lot of hair to work with underneath. The braids are also a very good length, as they won’t look too heavy to drag the whole look down. The detail that stood out the most to me was the subtle highlights. They bring really nice warmth to the look, especially for more mature skin tones. Most people won’t pin point what the highlights are, they will just see the whole look and think it is amazing.
#4: Sculpted Top Bun with a Statement Part
I love how the intricate styles put more interest into the design than just a classic top bun. The braids appear to be a sufficient length to serve as a height-adjustable medium bun, which gives just the right amount of height. I tend to find that this style suits coily medium-density natural hair best as the braider has enough to work with, therefore they don’t have to go super tight with the braid installs. If your hair is on the finer side, make sure to communicate with your braider about the level of tightness they plan on doing as this style shouldn’t create a headache to achieve.
#5: Twisted Feed-ins That Feel Like They’re Moving Even When You’re Not
I like the jumbo braids and decorative twists as they interweave nicely. They have a nice flow. The length is mid to long. The shape extends the silhouette to the face in a way that is architectural, but not rigid. For finer hair, I would suggest a more subtle option, as the twists add weight. However, this is really nice for medium to thick natural hair. I will not lie to you, the install takes some time, but you will be paying the price for booking some time to clear your afternoon.
#6: Auburn Contrast Feed-ins Pulled Into a High Bun
I really love this color combination, it inspires me to stop and appreciate this creation. The black and burnt auburn color combo looks like a nice cocktail dress. The bun is a great way to create drama at the top of the head. It gives the photographer a very well-framed shot, and it reads really well. My favorite part of the braids is the top section, I really love the hair here. I really think this style looks best on naturally coily and thicker hair, because it supports the weight really well. If you have a sensitive scalp, make sure to tell your braider this so you can look beautiful without the pain.
#7 Caramel-Kissed Feed-ins That Go with Everything
If someone asked me what braids I would recommend for a casual outfit with a high-end look, I’d show her these. The dark base and caramel highlights really give the braids a nice dimension. The thickness of these braids is super nice but not too heavy. I love this style on longer face shapes because the braids bring a lot of fullness and balance to the overall look. Just remember to keep up with your scalp care because thicker braids can trap a lot of heat so you’ll want to keep things clean under there!
#8: Side-Parted Feed-ins with Serious Length
If you love length and drama, this girl is for you! A side part really does frame the face nicely, and feed-ins with a deep side part just look effortlessly cool, regardless of age. These fall past the shoulders and have that full, polished thickness that gives the style an expensive look. I wanna keep it real with you, getting something this long installed will be a commitment, so pack snacks for your appointment and come to peace with that! Once the extensions are installed, you are pretty much good to go!
#9: Blue Feed-in Braids for the Woman Who Said “Why Not?”
I love seeing clients walk in and select a color that surprises me. Most of the time, these choices end up looking amazing. This shade of blue is bold and fun. The length is serious, past the shoulders, so this color really gets the chance to show off. With the neat parting, it looks polished, so the blue seems to be part of a deliberate style rather than a last-minute decision. Color this vivid will definitely fade, especially in the braided hair, so keep that in mind if it bothers you. Personally, I love the fade on blue braids; it goes through about three shades on its way out, which is half the fun!
#10 Low Bun Feed-ins with Gold Accents
This style might seem plain at first glance, but there is so much thought and detail that went into it. The low bun rests at the nape of the neck, creating a soft and flattering frame to the face. The gold accents included with the braids add a perfect touch of personality and don’t clash with anything else in the style. This style works particularly well for thick natural hair, and feels clean without being overly severe. The trick to low buns and feed-in braids is that the front braids should be done loosely. Tension headaches can develop quickly, so if you want a polished look that lasts, tell your stylist to ease up a bit on the front braids. With a gentle touch, this style will stay neat for weeks.
#11: Geometric Parting Feed-ins That Are Basically Wearable Art
I could barely contain my excitement when I saw this creative parting! It takes an incredible braider, a highly enthusiastic client, and the result would be something you’d want to stare at in the mirror all day! The length and the freedom of the braids offer so much versatility when it comes to styling, but with this quality parting, you can wear all of the braids down so that people can fawn over them! It’s ideal for medium to thick hair, and the more convincing it is, the better! So, if you want a braider who is really good at imaginative geometry, go all out because in this case, expensive = quality. Every single minute in that chair will be worthwhile.
#12: Crisscross Parted Feed-ins with Beautiful Weight
I love the way the braids begin with the crisscross design on top. It gives it some texture and looks as if it’s woven even before the braids actually start. I love the boldness of the length and how great the volume is. I feel this would go well with most face shapes since it draws the eyes down. With braids this thick, your braider should really do a tension check throughout the process. This is especially true around the crown where the crisscross gets really packed. Your scalp shouldn’t be hurting just for a style!.
#13: Red-Toned Top Knot Feed-ins That Feel Effortless
With the braided hair, dark and muted reds seem like an accident, which a great colorist or good quality braiding hair would know it isn’t. The top knot allows light and mesmerizing color pops to reflect the braids and provide volume. If you want a stylish and contemporary look without going too bright, this is perfect. I would wear this, which is a clear indicator that I am not being polite.
#14: Feed-ins with Artistic Parting That Tells a Story
Some designs I look at and imagine the braiders’ hands and the concentration that is needed, and this is one. The journey of self-expression can be limitless from a plain straight back to something like this. The volume on these braids is great, they are thick and lush and with the medium to long length allow the braids to move and not be too much. More intricate parting means you have to think a bit more on the maintenance because as your hair grows it can look messy very quickly. This is going to be absolutely beautiful for the first few weeks.
#15: Intricate Parting with a Polished Feed-in Finish
Another beautiful take down. This time, I am focused on how individual braids really pop. The individual braider used good product and took their time, which is all you can ask for. With medium to long lengths, you have the versatility to wear these down, pull them back or wrap them up. The medium density keeps everything looking full without that “my head weighs ten pounds” feeling. With the amount of detail in the parting, installation will take some time so plan accordingly. You will be living in these braids for weeks with minimal effort.
#16: Emerald Ombre Feed-ins for the Brave and the Beautiful
I have thoughts. The emerald ombre is so unexpected and amazing. It takes the whole jumbo feed-in concept to a level that you’d see in a magazine editorial. The dark roots to that luscious green is a nice smooth color transition, and in a medium-to-long length it allows the color gradient to breathe. This is one of those styles where people either tell you they love it or ask a million questions about it, but either way you are winning. If your scalp is sensitive, tell them that during the install because the fullness is real. You’ll want to enjoy it, not endure it.
#17: Sleek, No-Nonsense Feed-ins with Clean Lines
This is a great option for those who want a style that is less complicated. All you need are simple, clean braids, which this style is. It looks good, the part is even, and the braids are smooth and polished for a mature appearance. Overall, it gets the job done with no frills. I appreciate this style with confidence on coarser, medium-dense hair because I find that with time, the style holds shape really well. The appearance of the braids is maintained with a sleek look and a little mousse will work wonders.
#18: High Top Bun Feed-ins with a Color Gradient
This one here has a color gradient from dark at the roots to warmer shades at the ends, and when all the hair is pulled up into that high bun, the effect is something. It honestly makes the bun look like it’s glowing. This style needs thick and textured hair to achieve this fullness. If you are lucky enough to have hair like this, it will look amazing on you! I do also want to mention that braids like this can become heavy, so if you start getting headaches from it, don’t suffer in silence, tell your stylist! There are ways to shift the weight to other sections without losing the look.
#19: Long Feed-ins with a Defined Center Part
What I really like about this style is how sharp the defined partings are. It adds a really nice clean vibe to the whole look and makes the length feel intentional rather than just excessive which is impressive considering the gorgeous density of the below-the-shoulder braids. Also with the very tight weave, the style is going to last a long time which means you’re going to want to be proactive about your scalp care. The detailed and thoughtful parting do not just make this style stand out from the average braids to the above-average braids, but make it a style you’ll love instead of just like.
#20: Structured Feed-ins with Geometric Parting
I think the parting with feed ins is super important, and this is a great example of that. The style already has shape and visual interest from the defined geometric sections before the braids are even added. There is versatility with the medium to long length and the density being that nice middle ground where it looks voluminous and healthy without being too much. This style makes me want to tell my client to relax on the tightness during install because the straight part lines can make a braider pretty pull happy. The framing around the face is nice and it can just sit there.
#21: Defining Parting Feed-ins with a Sleek Edge
I love the creativity in the parting, it’s not just functional, it’s also decorative, which takes a great braid to a truly unique style. The braids are really nice and smooth, and will look great worn down to a dinner, or pulled back for errands on a Saturday. For medium coarse hair, these braids are dreamy. I would recommend having a good edge control to keep the front pieces nice and slick, because a style this polished needs some equally polished edges to match.
#22: High Ponytail Feed-ins with Cornrow Detail
In a regular ponytail, adding some cornrow style braids at the front can transform your look completely and you might even receive compliments while doing the groceries! The braid with colors that blends beautifully is contemporary, polished, and effortless. This particular hairstyle seems like it takes a lot of work but really doesn’t. Many styles can suit various face shapes, but this one is best to oval and heart shapes. The height created with the ponytail and braid along with the pulled back front really closes up the face and opens the soul. Sure the braids will feel heavy, but it is what it is. This hairstyle is not ideal for a long day at the beach, but for all other occasions it is perfect.
#23: Ombre-Tipped High Bun Feed-ins That Feel Like a Celebration
I saved this style for one of the last slots because it is a great representation of my passion for hairstyling. I love how the ombre provides a fresh and modern spin on the classic look. The braids are neat, and the high bun looks voluminous and structured. On thicker hair, this style bun really comes alive, and there is just the right amount of braid to achieve that gorgeous rounded look. Protection styles that work are styles that you can install and leave your hair to rest for weeks. Best of all, you’ll feel amazing during the time you have this style, and you’ll feel even better every time you look at yourself in the mirror. It may not be the quickest style to take down, but it’s totally worth it!
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