Jumbo braids will always hold a special place in my heart. They never fail to look effortlessly cool, and unlike some other protective styles (sorry box braids), they don't take hours and hours to complete. Really though, these "Jumbo Puzzle Braids" are a whole vibe that exudes some major Anti-era Rihanna energy, and who doesn't wanna channel that? Watch as New Jersey-based stylist Kat Gibbs works her magic on today's episode of The Braid Up. The whole look is beyond good, and because I know you're ready to make it your own, I've dropped the video and four how-to tips, below.
1. Show your scalp some love. Jumbo braids don't create as much scalp tension as other protective styles, but that doesn't mean your scalp won't need some TLC every now and again. Once or twice a week, massage a few drops of jojoba oil or argan oil into your scalp to help soothe and moisturize the area.
2. Protect your edges. If you're styling them with heat, be sure to apply a nourishing heat protectant (like one of the options below) first. And if you're styling them with a gel or paste, opt for a formula that's made without drying alcohols to prevent breakage and flaking.
Deeper Than Hair Glass Brilliant Shine
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray
3. Play around with color. Adding a pop of color to your style, like Katt did in today's episode, is an easy way to elevate your look. Try a bold, statement shade like hot pink or violet, or if you want something more subtle, ombre braiding hair will do the trick.
4. Keep some mousse handy. Given that your hair will be parted into pretty large sections, it'll be easy for it to fuzz up fast. A few pumps of mousse will clean up the flyaways and moisturize your braids to bring back some fresh-style shine.
Hair: In collaboration with Stasha Harris of Magic Fingers Studio
Makeup: Ashley Johnson
Videographer: Rob Mroczko
Production Assistant: Jay Aguirre
Director of Digital Series: Tara O’Connell
Annabel Iwegbue is a culture editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers pop culture, lifestyle, relationships, and digital trends. She previously wrote for Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
