Let's Talk!!! Feed-in Cornrows!!!

What are Feed-in Cornrows? 

Feed-in Cornrows are be a protective style for natural, transitioning, or relaxed hair. Also known as Feeding Braids, Ghana Braids, or Banana Braids, the name comes from the method of adding hair into a cornrow meticulously creating length and thickness as to complete a natural-looking seamless braid. I have done this style with all types of hair: straight, wavy, curly, kinky. Synthetic braiding hair, like the X-pressions brand, is the best choice to create feed-in cornrows.
First, the hair is parted off into sections with a comb. Then, the stylist can either start braiding the clients natural hair, or she can opt to start the cornrow with a very small amount of hair added. As she continues to cornrow the hair, more hair is added in increasing amounts to create fullness of the braid. When the stylist is happy with the fullness she has created in the braid, she no longer adds in extra hair but continues the cornrow as normal until she reaches the end of the braid. She may also choose to add length to the end of the braids by feeding in small amounts of hair towards the end.

How long do the take to complete?

Feed-in Braids can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes for a single braid to about 3 hours to complete a full head. That is dependent upon the amount of cornrows you have on your head and size of the bits of hair you are adding to the cornrows.

How long do Feed-in Braids last?

That is totally dependent upon the wearer of the style. I have seen women wear their feed-in braids for 2 days just to have something done to it. I have seen other women wear their cornrows for 2 months!! I myself have worn them up to a week! I could have worn them longer but I like to change my hair often.

How do you care for your Feed-in Braids?

A simple silk or satin bonnet or scarf on the braids at night is all you need to keep it looking nicer longer. Basic washing instructions are below.
Washing is relatively simple! It is best and most convenient to wash your braids in the shower. Add a very small amount of shampoo to a regular 16 oz. bottle of water that has been filled 3/4 of the way. Shake well and dispense onto scalp. massage scalp GENTLY and allow shampoo/water mix to flow through your extensions. Rinse and repeat if needed. To condition, add a small amount of conditioner to a 16 oz bottle of water that has been filled 3/4 of the way. Dispense into your braids and allow the conditioner to flow through to the ends of the hair. Rinse thoroughly! Towel dry, then air dry OR use a blow dryer. Any leftover product will cause build-up and wet braids can lead to smelly and moldy hair.

How can these Feed-in Braids be styled?

They can be styled up in a ponytail or down in a multitude of ways! Youtube has many videos on the various styles available for Feed-in Braids dependent on your preference! If they are long enough, they can be worn in a ponytail or bun for working out.

Here are more pictures of Feed-in Braids.