How much new hair you grab each time doesn't matter, but the less hair you grab, the more intricate the braid will look. Then cross the right section over the center section. Support wikiHow by a headboard or backrest).You could also temporarily tie it with elastic and give your arms a rest. Begin the braid where you'd do a deep side part. Take the section of hair from the left and cross it over in between the right and center sections of hair, as you would with a standard braid. Thank you, wikiHow. Continue doing this all the way down your head. "To make sure that your hair has some texture and hold to it, avoid thick conditionersespecially those with silicone in themthat make strands slippery," Hawkins says. While were all stuck at home and probably overdue for a haircut, now is the perfect time to learn. There are a few secrets to crafting the perfect French braid. Continue down your scalp. Taylor explains that the thicker the sectioning, the thicker and easier the braid will be. I use my left pointer finger to add a small section of hair to the existing left section . Then, grab a 3-inch section of hair at the crown of your head and divide it into three equal pieces. Surprisingly, some people find that not looking in a mirror makes it easier to pay attention to feeling their hair. Our content is for informational purposes only. ISince the final look isnt the braid, its okay if you have a few bumps and pieces sticking out. References Wrap the long twist around the base of your ponytail (where the hair meets the back of your head). You will likely run out of hair near the ear on the other side of your head. French-.css-tjvzc4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;border-bottom:thin solid #6F6F6F;}.css-tjvzc4:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}braiding is one of those things in life that seems more confusing and intimidating than it actually is (kinda like doing your taxes). Then, grab a small section of hair towards the back of your head to add the left side, and cross it over the center. Ideally, this chunk of hair should extend from temple to temple and reach the crown of the head. f you still havent mastered the perfect French braids, practice at night before bed and wear them to sleep for beach waves in the morning. When you're done with the French braid, you can take the extra step of hiding the elastic tie if you want an all . This allows you, in the next step, to rock your hand forward and release the first strand. You Probably Need a Haircut provides general information only. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. French braiding is a hair-styling technique that is quite similar to a standard braid; the only difference is adding hair to the sections as you go. Be sure to gently comb through any bumps to keep a sleek look. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. Now repeat on the other half of your hair and secure your two French braids in place each with a hair tie. Tochterman breaks down the exact way to French braid below. For example, you may want to tie off your braid just below the nape of your neck, depending on how long your hair is. To hide your elastic band, wrap a small strand of hair from the two-inch remains around the elastic so your braid appears to end seamlessly. Why Trust Us? User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and At this point, the hard work is over. Keep going because your style will be worth it! Love Cosmo? If you left out bangs, style them as you usually would. Go messy: "One of my favorite French braid variations is to lightly pull out the sides of each section all the way down the braid," says Metz. You can also use a hair clip if youd prefer. In the morning, unravel the braids for really natural waves, no heat required. These step-by-step videos helped. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Tie off the end. Bend forward to release tension or rest your arms on a surface behind you (ex. Enjoy! X Step Three: Braiding. Gather Hair at Top of Head and Divide Into Three Sections Starting at the Hairline: Get enough hair from the top of the head to start a regular braid. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. How To Braid Your Own Hair: Tutorials For 8 Types Of Braids - mindbodygreen Brush Hair: Smooth out any knots or tangles. Our virtual concierge will create a hair care regimen just for you. Easy to explain, but how TF do you actually do it? Last Updated: September 2, 2022 Want a cute look that's fun and easy to create? 35 Cool Braids That Are Actually Easy (We Swear) - Byrdie HelloGiggles.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Beauty & Style Group. Use your index fingers to pick up pieces of hair below the crown from just outside the plaited area along the way (try to pick up half-inch sections of hair to keep the braid balanced) and pull them into the braid. Follow These Steps. You can easily keep bangs and flyaways out of your face. Is a French braid formal enough for a wedding? Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com. Cross the left section over the center section. You can create two separate braids, or you can combine the braids at the bottom to make one big braid. How to Braid Your Own Hair: A Beginner's Guide - wikiHow In this tutorial, YouTuber Abby Smith shows you how to transfer all three sections in one hand to free up the other so you can easily grab your additional small sliver of hair. Here are some tips for French braiding your own hair: If you are new to the world of French braiding, practicing your braids with damp hair can make the process easier. Not only will this stop the bottom of your braids from looking straggly, but it will also reduce any chances of your style falling out. Editors tip: For any natural-haired ladies out there looking to learn how to do French braids, skip the dry shampoo and apply a nourishing oil, like The Good Stuff Frizz Control Oil, throughout your endsbefore styling. Yes, you can shower with French braids. You can use the teeth of the comb or the tail of the comb if it has one. The good news: You don't have to enlist the help of a talented friend or roommate to achieve the style. Gold-foiled eyes, Farrah Fawcett bangs, 3D manicures what doesn't this red carpet have? Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. All you need is a few helpful tips for French braiding your own hair to get started. This will help you achieve cleaner lines and contribute to the overall look of the braid. This Chemical Peel Majorly Healed My Hormonal Acne, I Tried the New Long-Lasting Botox Alternative (!). To learn more from our Cosmetologist co-author, like how to combine 2 French braids into a single braid, keep reading! You can learn how to French braid your own hair and we're here to help. French braiding takes a lot more time than more basic hairstyles. Finally, French braid that section of hair like you did with the other section and then you're finished. You can tie off your hair at any point during your braid. The French braid is a beautiful and classic hairstyle and a favorite to many. It doesn't matter which side you add new hair from. French braids are classic. ", http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/hair/tools-techniques/french-braid-hair, http://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair-ideas/french-braids-0608, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/hair-mistakes_n_3790579.html, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh8MTdgIDaA&t=1m38s, http://www.hairromance.com/2013/02/lace-braid-hairstyle-tutorial.html, http://www.twistmepretty.com/2014/05/learn-your-4-basic-braids.html. With each new stitch, add a little more hair into your braid. :)", "It was helpful to have a video as well as written words to secure the process in your head.". Whether you choose big or small chunks to weave in, do your best to grab the same size each time for a consistent look. No, you dont have to ask your one friend whos really good at hair to do yours every single time, because all you need is the right products, some patience, and a little (okay, more than a little) practice. Practice making single French braids before you do double French braids. If doing double braids, youll want to start by deciding on your part and sectioning your hair accordingly. "This creates a really full-looking braid that's more relaxed, but makes a statement.". How to French Braid: An Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial for A Relaxed French What sets a French braid apart from, say, a Dutch braid is that youre crossing the pieces over the middle section instead of taking them under, which makes the braid appear flatter and not raised. If you have thin hair, you'll need to pull in less. How to Do Double French Braids (with Pictures) - wikiHow Repeat step 4 all the way down your head. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. "Shorter braids require more product to prevent the braids from unraveling, [while] longer braids require more product on the ends to protect and prevent splitting," she states. (We promise it's easier than it seems). Give yourself a crown: Embrace your inner princess by French braiding in a circle around your head rather than straight down. The higher the bun, the less sag you will get. OGX Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray protects hair up to 450 degrees, minimizes drying time, and smells divine. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Using three fingers, separate the larger section into three smaller but equal pieces. Let's chat! This lightweight oil works tohydrateyour strands while also keeping frizz at bay. How to French Braid Your Own Hair - Fit Foodie Finds I'm Athena, your personal Hair Assistant. After youve gathered all of your hair into the French braid, group the ends together, create three evenly-sized sections, and finish braiding with a standard 3-section braid. Once youve reached the nape of your neck, you should find that youve run out of extra hair to bring into your braid. ", time it failed, but the second time it was lot easier. "It's the perfect prep for all hair types." "I never knew how to do a French braid because my cousin always did it. Most people like to part their hair in the center for two French braids, but I like to keep my side part intact. If you have thicker hair, you may need to start with more hair in your 3 sections. Danielle James is a New York-based journalist who covers all things fashion, beauty, and celebrity. Finish with a quick spritz of medium-hold hair spray like Ouai's Texturizing Hair Spray ($28). - https://amzn.to/3iqDD3G *Silver Shampoo - https://amzn.to/3hkb5Yl *Deep Waver Iron (Great for beautiful waves!) When using a mirror, youre looking at a backward image. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Meet Our Expert: Hannah Metz, hair and style expert with Hannah Elisabeth Beauty. Since Im no pro, I enlisted the help of hairstylist, braid queen, and author of All Hair is Good Hair Annagjid Kee Taylor to provide some expert-backed tips for learning to French-braid your own hair. Though it will likely not be the look youre going for, it will help you get the movement down. French braiding is actually a. that keeps your hair in place and may help prevent damage, especially at night. How to: French braid your own hair in two parts neatly - YouTube Create 3 equal sections from the portion of hair you just grabbed. If you must shampoo, apply a sea salt spray (Hawkins loves the KMS California Hairplay Sea Salt Spray) after towel-drying to give the hair extra weight and texture. This frees up your right hand to work with. You can use that same styling wax or the edge control of your choice. The length of the braid also determines where you will focus on applying product. With natural hair, Groover opts for a different technique: "Part the hair down the middle or with a low side part and divide the hair into two sections." If you havent tried French braiding yet, you may want to give it a try. If youd like to keep your braids dry. starts here. This article has 56 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Ultimately, one of the best tips for French braiding your own hair is to give yourself plenty of time to practice. For fine to medium hair, after you brush, Tochterman advises the following: first, taking a section of hair from the forehead to the back of the head. Your arms may get tired while braiding your hair. Each time you cross one section over the other, grab a chunk of hair from the same side as the section. Whatever you do, do NOT brush or comb it as soon as you take the band out. Now its time to learn how to French braid your hair! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/French-Braid-Step-1-Version-23.jpg\/v4-460px-French-Braid-Step-1-Version-23.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/French-Braid-Step-1-Version-23.jpg\/aid22372-v4-728px-French-Braid-Step-1-Version-23.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"