Braids have been an iconic hairstyle for Black women for centuries. Over time, braiding has evolved into countless styles, from intricate cornrows to bold box braids. A new trend taking the braiding world by storm is known as jumbo braids. Known for their more voluminous look, jumbo braids are not only stunning, but a bold way to embrace your natural beauty. Here’s everything you need to know about the modern style.

What Are Jumbo Braids?

Jumbo braids are characterized by thick, oversized braids. These braids are typically larger than traditional box braids and can be worn in a variety of ways, whether you prefer a full head of jumbo braids or you want to experiment with different placements and parting styles. The beauty of jumbo braids lies in their versatility: you can wear them long, short, or even in different colors and patterns. 

The jumbo braiding technique is often preferred for its low-maintenance yet high-impact style. The larger size of the braids means they take less time to install compared to smaller braids, and because they’re so bold, they make a strong fashion statement without needing much extra.

How to Do Jumbo Braids

Creating jumbo braids is an easy process using the right materials.

Materials Needed

  • Braiding Hair: You’ll need a lot of hair to achieve the thick, voluminous look of jumbo braids. Kanekalon or Marley hair is often the go-to choice for jumbo braids because it’s durable, lightweight, and mimics natural hair textures.
  • Edge Control: To smooth the edges and keep everything in place, you’ll need a good edge control or styling gel.
  • Combs and Brushes: A wide-tooth comb for detangling and a rat-tail comb for parting will help you section your hair neatly.
  • Hair Clips: These are essential for keeping sections of your hair out of the way while you work on other parts.
  • Hair Elastics: Small elastics will help secure the ends of your braids before you seal them.
  • Scissors: For trimming any excess hair after braiding.

Jumbo Braids Tutorial

  1. Prep Your Hair: Start by washing and conditioning your hair to ensure it’s clean and healthy. You may also want to deep condition if your hair is dry. Apply a leave-in conditioner to keep your natural curls hydrated and soft. Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb to remove any knots, ensuring smooth braiding. If you’re starting with natural hair, apply a heat protectant before blow-drying your hair straight, or you can leave it in its natural texture for a more voluminous look.
  2. Section Your Hair: Use a rat-tail comb to part your hair into sections. You can decide how large or small you want each section to be, but remember that the larger the section, the thicker the braid. Secure the sections with hair clips to keep them in place.
  3. Prepare the Braiding Hair: Take your desired amount of synthetic braiding hair (usually 2-3 bundles per section) and separate it into smaller sections to match the size of your natural hair sections. You can also stretch the braiding hair to add length, depending on how long you want your jumbo braids to be.
  4. Start Braiding: For each section of natural hair, create a three-strand braid. Begin by adding the synthetic hair to your natural hair to create an even thicker base. Braid downwards, keeping the tension firm but not too tight. Ensure that the braiding hair is incorporated smoothly throughout the process. Continue braiding until you reach the end of the section.
  5. Secure and Trim: Once the braid is complete, secure the end with a small elastic band. You can then trim any excess braiding hair if needed, and use hot water to seal the ends.