A recent study conducted by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2019 found that about 40% of African American women wear protective hairstyles like braids to preserve the health and integrity of their hair.
Jumbo knotless braids, in particular, have become popular thanks to their versatility and ability to last 6-8 weeks with proper care.
I get the appeal—who wouldn’t love rocking beautiful jumbo braids? But I also remember the first time I tried DIYing them at home…yikes.
My parts were crooked, they kept slipping out, and I looked nothing like the Instagram videos made it seem!
You’ve come to the right place if you can relate to my initial braiding woes. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll walk you through everything I wish I knew before braiding my hair for the first time.
We’ll review must-have products for flawless parts and neat edges, tips on sectioning hair evenly, how to get your braids ultra-full, maintaining your protective style, and more.
By this end, you’ll have all the insider info needed to achieve gorgeous, salon-quality jumbo knotless braids by yourself! Sound good? Then let’s start—I can’t wait to see your stunning braids!
Preparing Your Hair for Braiding
Properly preparing your natural hair is the key to achieving beautiful, long-lasting jumbo knotless braids.
I like to prep my hair the day before braiding to give my strands time to absorb all the conditioning and moisturizing products.
First, clarify and deeply condition your hair. My favorite pre-braid hair mask is Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment.
Apply it generously from roots to ends, pop on a plastic cap, and let it penetrate under a hooded dryer for 30 minutes. The protein and moisture infusion help reinforce strands to withstand braiding tension better.
Next, work a smoothing leave-in conditioner like Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla through damp hair post-shower and seal with an oil like coconut or argan. This leaves hair soft, detangled, and ultra-moisturized.
Let your hair completely air dry before braiding. I like to stretch my blow-dried hair in about 8-10 twists secured with rubber bands.
This helps prep hair for sectioning by stretching the kinks. Come braiding day, unravel each twist, and you’ll have easy-to-work-with, smoothed-out sections ready to braid!
Parting and Sectioning Your Hair
Now that your hair is prepped, sectioning it for braiding is time. I always start by dividing my hair into four quadrants.
Create a part straight down the middle from your hairline to the nape, then another horizontal part from ear to ear.
Secure each section with a clip or hair tie. This makes the braiding process way more manageable.
Next, work on perfecting your parts for each braid. I recommend square or rectangular-shaped parts between 1-2 inches in size for jumbo knotless braids.
Use the end of a rat tail comb to create clean, precise parts. Make sure to apply some edge control as you go to keep your parts looking sharp.
Pro tip: Take your time parting and sectioning! It’s the foundation of your braided style, so you want to ensure your parts are neat, even, and symmetrical.
The Braiding Process
You can finally start braiding with your hair detangled, moisturized, and carefully parted! Let’s walk through the knotless braiding technique step-by-step.
Begin by sectioning off a small portion of hair where you want to start your first braid. Divide this section into three equal pieces.
Start braiding using the traditional three-strand method, crossing the side strands over the middle strand. Braid for 2-3 stitches to secure your natural hair.
Now it’s time to feed in your braiding hair extensions. I use 84″ pre-stretched braiding hair to minimize bulk and achieve a lightweight feel.
Take a small piece of braiding hair about half the width of your natural hair section. Divide this piece into three and lay them on your three natural hair strands.
Cross your strands as you normally would while braiding, incorporating the extensions into your natural hair.
As you braid, maintain medium tension – not too tight to cause discomfort, but tight enough that your braids don’t unravel.
Pull the braid up gently at the root every few stitches to prevent it from getting loose. When your natural hair starts to run out, you’ll feed in more braiding hair.
Add a small amount each time, no wider than your initial section, and cross it under your working strands. Keep braiding and feeding until you reach your desired length.
To finish off your braid, continue the three-strand method to the ends. Secure the ends with a small elastic band or seal them in boiling water.
Then, move on to the next section and repeat the knotless braiding process until you’ve braided your entire head.
Remember to take breaks if your hands get tired—this style requires patience! Putting on an entertaining podcast or TV show in the background can make the time pass more easily as you braid.
Sealing and Finishing Your Braids
You’ve finished braiding all your jumbo knotless braids – woohoo! Now it’s time to complete the look and ensure your braids stay neat and frizz-free.
First, secure the ends of your braids. You can loop a small, clear elastic band around the end of each braid.
Or dip your ends in boiling water for 5-10 seconds for an even more polished look. This helps seal and set your ends, preventing them from unraveling.
Just be careful not to leave them in the water for too long, or they can become frizzy.
Next, I like to go over my scalp and edges again with a light oil or edge control. This gives a sleek, shiny finish and lays down any baby hairs or flyaways.
Spritz your braids with a lightweight hair oil or sheen spray if they feel stiff or crunchy due to product buildup. This softens them and adds a healthy sheen.
And just like that, your jumbo knotless braids are all done! Take a moment to admire your handiwork in the mirror.
Clean parts, shiny braids, and a protective style that will last for weeks – you nailed it!
Maintenance and Care for Jumbo Knotless Braids
Now that you’ve put in the work to install your jumbo knotless braids, it’s crucial to maintain them properly so they look fresh and last as long as possible. Here are my top tips for braid maintenance and styling:
Using Scarf/Bonnet: To preserve your braids while you sleep, loosely tie them up in a silk or satin scarf or bonnet. This prevents frizz and keeps your braids looking neat. In the morning, gently remove the scarf and shake your braids loose.
Moisturizing: Moisturizing your scalp and braids is key to avoid dryness and breakage. Apply a lightweight oil or scalp treatment to your roots every few days and massage them.
I love using BioSilk Therapy Coconut Oil as a braid and scalp moisturizer.
Wash Your Jumbo Braids: Wash your braids every 2-3 weeks with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. Focus the product on your scalp only to avoid making your braids frizzy. Finish with a light conditioner on your ends, then air dry thoroughly.
Styling Options: When styling your jumbo braids, the options are endless! Create a high ponytail or bun for an effortless updo. Try a braided halo crown or half-up, half-down style for a more intricate look. You can also accessorize with cute hair cuffs, ties, or beads to switch up your look.
With proper care, your jumbo knotless braids can last 6-8 weeks. Once you notice a lot of new growth or your braids start to get fuzzy and worn, it’s time to remove them.
Gently unravel each braid, detangle your hair, and give yourself a nice deep conditioning treatment.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Jumbo Knotless Braids
Want to take your jumbo knotless braids to the next level? Here are a few pro tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years:
Your tools and products are the secret to clean, sharp partings. A good rat tail comb with a fine point is essential for precise parts.
After parting, clean up the lines with a small amount of hair gel or edge control on an angled brush. This makes your parts look crisp and professional.
When braiding, try the “crossing over” technique to hide the extensions and mimic the look of natural hair.
Instead of crossing your strands under like a typical braid, cross them over to conceal the braiding hair beneath your natural hair. This gives a more seamless, realistic appearance.
Knotless braids have so many benefits compared to traditional box braids!
Because the extensions are fed in gradually rather than knotted at the root, there is less tension and strain on the scalp and edges.
This means you’re less likely to experience thinning or breakage over time. Knotless braids are also lightweight and move more naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do jumbo knotless braids last?
With proper care, jumbo knotless braids can typically last 6-8 weeks before needing to be touched up or redone.
Can I wash my braids?
Wash your braids every 2-3 weeks to keep your scalp and hair clean. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and focus on cleansing your scalp.
How do I sleep with my braids?
Sleep with a silk or satin scarf or bonnet to prevent frizz and maintain your style. Loosely tie your braids up before bed.
Will jumbo knotless braids damage my hair?
Knotless braids can be a protective style that gives your natural hair a break from daily manipulation and styling when installed and cared for properly. Just be sure not to leave them too long, and give your hair time to recover between braid installations.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, installing your jumbo knotless braids at home is achievable with the right tools, techniques, and patience.
By following this step-by-step tutorial, you have all the knowledge you need to prep your hair, create clean parts, braid and feed in extensions, and seal your braids to perfection.
Remember, practice makes progress, so don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t flawless.
With more experience, you’ll be able to create stunning, professional-looking jumbo knotless braids in the comfort of your own home.
Enjoy your beautiful, protective braided style and the money you saved by DIYing!
