Step 3: Holding the center and right sections in my right hand and the left section in my left hand, I cross the right section over the center. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,157,117 times. How much new hair you grab each time doesn't matter, but the less hair you grab, the more intricate the braid will look. Braid your hair in the mirror, so that you can see what you're doing. This allows you, in the next step, to rock your hand forward and release the first strand. Continue down your scalp. (Tip: If the right and left are confusing, just think about outer and inner pieces. Is Skin Cycling the Secret to Better Skin? Now repeat on the other half of your hair and secure your two French braids in place each with a hair tie. Steps 1 and 2: Take a Two-Inch Section of Hair and Begin the French Braid. Thank you, wikiHow. Continue doing this all the way down your head. When you hold back your hair with a loose French braid, you will spread the weight of your hair across more of your scalp. Hold the right strand with your pinky, the middle strand with your middle finger, and the left strand between your index and thumb. Vanessa has over 10 years of experience in styling hair. Each time you cross one section over the other, grab a chunk of hair from the same side as the section. Wet hair tends to be easier to maneuver as you twist and weave your hair. There's something undeniably alluring about the .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}classic French braid. "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. Make sure that all of the hair that you gather in this section is coming from the top of your head. Ultimately, one of the best tips for French braiding your own hair is to give yourself plenty of time to practice. 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. From here, all you need to do is take up more hair from the surrounding area, pulling it into the braid as you go. It takes a lot of patience to grab small sections, especially if you are new to the French braid. The higher the bun, the less sag you will get. There are a few secrets to crafting the perfect French braid. % of people told us that this article helped them. The French braid is a beautiful and classic hairstyle and a favorite to many. After you secure your French braid with an elastic, gently pull apart each braid to fluff it out. "If the ends of your hair are stick straight, they will be more likely to poke out," she explains. The grittiness of the dry shampoo might make it easier for the braids to stay in place, too. All Rights Reserved. Don't be scared; it looks good in any hair, "This is really good. When you get to the very bottom of your scalp and there's no more hair to add in from each side, complete a normal (non-French) braid until you have just about an inch of hair left. You can finish up the rest of your braid using the three-strand method again. You may need to rest your arms sometimes while you braid. For example, you may want to tie off your braid just below the nape of your neck, depending on how long your hair is. As you continue with the process of a standard braid, add in pieces of other hair, starting with the right side. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Then, grab a small section of hair towards the back of your head to add the left side, and cross it over the center. Tie off the end. Plus, two French braids are an easy style to master and theyre not nearly as intricate as they look. Once you have sectioned off your hair for each braid, work on one side at a time. One challenge many French braiders come across is bumps appearing in their sections. Then, "grab and grab" as I like to say. French braiding can cause a little strain on your arm muscles, but do your best to pull each section taut and keep a firm grip on your braid. Most people like to part their hair in the center for two French braids, but I like to keep my side part intact. You can braid your hair dry or damp. Our virtual concierge will create a hair care regimen just for you. Keep adding little sections as you braid until you reach the ends, then tie it off with an elastic. Break this large chunk of hair into three equal-sized sections. Once you remove it, you risk damaging or pulling out chunks of hair. Once you've gotten the basics of a traditional braid down, you could try a French lace braid for a fancy twist. I taught myself how to do them as a teenager on the night before my SATs, partly as a distraction, and partly because I realized that they were the perfect hairstyle for successfully getting my hair out of my faceand keeping it there for many, many hours. Take the right strand and cross it over to the middle. After youve got your start with your regular braid, continue to hold all three pieces, but grab a small section from the front of your hair to add to the right piece, then cross it over the middle. French braiding your hair before bed and sleeping on a silk pillowcase is a great technique to prevent tangles in the morning, among other benefits. Style your hair in two French braids, stopping at the nape of your neck. How to: French braid your own hair in two parts neatly Chloe Gillian 90.9K subscribers Subscribe 17K Share 3.8M views 11 years ago Hey everyone! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Step Three: Braiding. In your left hand, hold each strand between your fingers, with the pinky holding the left strand, the middle finger holding the middle strand, and your index finger holding the right strand. Create 3 equal sections from the portion of hair you just grabbed. Begin just as you would start a regular braid: by crossing the right piece over the middle, then doing the same thing with the left. Want the mag? You can also use a hair clip if youd prefer. Finally, mist a little hairspray over the whole look for a more secure hold, or let it hang loose and free. Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com. And so are five other '90s tattoo styles. The woven look of a French braid differs from that of a Dutch braid because when creating a Dutch braid, the strands are woven over each other rather than underneath the middle piece. You did it, boo. I've Been Single for 8 Yearsand I Blame My Makeup. Only use a little, though, because too much will stiffen your braids, she says. And they expand like classic elastic bands; however, each end has a hook to secure hair without pulling on it, making it beneficial to those with coarse or thick hair. Finally, secure the braid and enjoy! With a few twists of the wrists you're suddenly twinning with the likes of Disney princesses like Rapunzel and Belle. To keep it from looking too messy, pin some of the longer layers into the base of the braid. In the morning, unravel the braids for really natural waves, no heat required. Practice on the side of your head, where you can see your fingers, or on someone else! The length of the braid also determines where you will focus on applying product. What's The Difference Between a Dutch Braid and a French Braid? If you have layered hair, spray some hairspray onto your fingers and use it to set down any flyaways that may have escaped from your braid. Then take a two-inch section of hair from either side of your part, separate it into three equal pieces . The singer reveals how grueling life was on the road. Like I said, practice makes perfect, and the best part about learning this skill now is that if your braids dont turn out even or are a little bumpy, no one has to see but you. Brush Hair: Smooth out any knots or tangles. If youd like to try out this fun hairstyle, you have two options. ATH Investigates, Natural Hair Care Guide and Products to Fight Humidity, ATH Opinion: Why the Nostalgia Trend is Creating an Ongoing Conversation Across Decades, 10 Tapered Haircuts and Short Hairstyles for Men Seen on the Runway, 15 Sweet and Striking Shades of Honey Brown Hair, Understanding Why the Appropriation of Hair Ingredients is Culturally Wrong, 8 Shampoos for Straight Hair that Add Body and Shine. If you have bangs, you can either brush them out of this section or include them in the area. Your hair will be easier to braid if its still slightly damp, but you can still braid dry hair. You Probably Need a Haircut provides general information only. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Repeat Step Four Until All New Hair is Included in Braid. Dont stress! Be sure to gently comb through any bumps to keep a sleek look. This will help refresh your hair and provide it with some volume. Our content is for informational purposes only. Begin the same way that you would a normal braid: Cross the right piece over the middle, then the left. When you grab chunks of hair to add to your braid, start by adding more significant pieces. References How To French Braid Your Own Hair Step By Step - Hair For Beginners | EverydayHairInspiration EverydayHairInspiration 294K subscribers Subscribe 12K Share 1.1M views 6 years ago. ", I made a classic french braid. 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. When it comes to using products to prep your hair for French braiding, Taylor tells me that less is more. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. My technique: grab the original strand between index finger and curled middle finger. Take the band out and gently pull on the outer edges to loosen it. At the same, "Yes, it was fun braiding the hair but because of my thick hair, it became a little bit more difficult. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. "This was so helpful. Is it better to braid your hair wet or dry? To help you out, weve broken this process into seven simple stages to show you how to create two French braids like a pro! For tips from our Beauty reviewer on how to make an alternate French lace braid, keep reading! So things are going well until those pesky layers start sticking out from every direction? Plus, it's easier to separate dry strands, reducing the chance you'll end up with all kinds of lumps and bumps throughout. BRB, going to book an appointment for these braids. Transfer both strands to your right hand. When French braiding your hair, keep the process of a standard braid and add chunks of hair to each outer section as you layer them over one another. To do double French braids, start by dividing your hair down the center of your head. But taking matters into your own hands (quite literally) and learning to French-braid your own hair definitely takes practice and patience. User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Before beginning your second braid, let your arms rest for a few minutes. Cue minor freak-out. 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Cross the left piece over the center, then the right over the center. 2. BriAnne Wills. Tips: Avoid securing your braid with a rubber band. If you left out bangs, style them as you usually would. .css-26w0xw{display:block;font-family:NationalBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-26w0xw:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-26w0xw{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.575rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}Get Madelyn's Glazed Vanilla French Manicure, This Hair Removal Device Is On Sale For 50% Off RN, How To Style Bangs With Thin Hair, Per Experts, Best Hair Dryer Brushes, Per Experts And Reviews, The 13 Best Face Sunscreen For Your Skin Type, Heres How Exercising Messes With Injectables, Bobbi Brown Shares Her Go-To Daily Sunscreen. But the style isn't as effortless as it looks, especially if you're trying to French braid your own hair. As you braid, your arms may get tired. Repeat this 2-3 times. It also takes less time to braid dry hair and your braids will last longer without visible flakes and frizz, she says. Start your French braid with one row of a traditional braid, which you can do by first crossing the right strand into the center, then crossing the left strand into the center. Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Braiding is hard work! Yellow is going over red. Can I learn to French braid my own hair if I can French braid my friend's hair? Approved. You should also keep in mind that the size of the braid will alter its look. You can easily keep bangs and flyaways out of your face. (Tip: If the right and left are confusing, just think about outer and inner pieces. And thats it, youve created your double French braids! References It will just make the biggest tangle ever. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. She's ready to turn the page following ex-husband's cheating. Divide it into three equal sections. If this happens, you can hold your hair in place with one hand and let the other arm rest for a few seconds. Practice making single French braids before you do double French braids. For best results, use a comb for parting each section, says Metz. Start at the hairline, dividing the sections into two strands. "It's the perfect prep for all hair types." "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. If you have thin hair, you'll need to pull in less. If you have thick hair, you'll want to pull in bigger chunks of hair so that you incorporate all of the hair into the braid before you reach the nape of your neck. - https://amzn.to/3iqDD3G *Silver Shampoo - https://amzn.to/3hkb5Yl *Deep Waver Iron (Great for beautiful waves!) The only difference between French braiding and regular braiding is that now every time you go to cross a section over the middle, you add a little more hair. Next, she parts her hair down the middle with the tail of a fine-tooth comb, rakes a dollop of moisturizing hair butter through the lengths of her hair, and smooths a bit of styling gel along her roots and part to keep the braid smooth. The Duchess of York casts "no judgment" toward her nephew. I carefully take all three sections of hair, each still separated by a finger in my right hand (see image below). Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Then cross the right section over the center section. 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. 2022 Galvanized Media. Once you remove it, you risk damaging or pulling out chunks of hair. 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). Run your fingers through each subsection to ensure you have three evenly-sized pieces. Secure your French braid with a hair elastic. Add on to your braid on both sides by picking up another little chunk of hair and then performing another braid. The . If you place heat on your hair, don't forget to shield your hair with a heat protectant. Take the left strand and cross over to the middle. This content is imported from poll. 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." The outer pieces always cross over the inner one.). I use my left pointer finger to add a small section of hair to the existing left section . Gather a small section of hair from towards the top of your head (a little from the right side, a little from the left side, and a little from the middle.) 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. 2. Pro-tip: if you have stray hairs, use a spiral bobby pin to hold them in place. Anyone whos ever rocked two French braids will agree when we say theyre pretty much the superwoman of hairstyles. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 7,540,583 times. You've completed a French braid all on your own! Continue grabbing chunks of hair as you braid the left section over the center section, then the right over the center section, and so on. Braid the shaft of the hair down to the ends. Your next perfect blowout (at home!) Continue braiding so that every time you do a new cross, youre gathering slightly more hair. Hi here I demonstrate how to do a dutch braid (boxer braids) for beginners. "I can never do a French plait on my hair usually and this really helped!! When you're done with the French braid, you can take the extra step of hiding the elastic tie if you want an all . With this stylist-approved easy step-by-step guide, even complete beginners will master the art of French braiding, whether a single strand or pigtails, in no time. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. If you have thin or fine hair, you may notice that your French braid falls a little flat literally. Meet Our Expert: Hannah Metz, hair and style expert with Hannah Elisabeth Beauty. Once you reach the nape of your neck, you should encompass all of your hair into the French braid. Now you know how to French braid your hair your own hair in five easy steps. ", Another quick tip: Use a strong hold finishing spray. This article was co-authored by Vanessa Garcia and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. You can even opt to secure your hair with an elastic close to the nape of your neck. In short, youll be using all your fingers as little hooks to hold the three sections as you braid. You can braid the rest of your hair as far down as you like. Finish your braid a couple of inches from the ends of your hair. OGX Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray protects hair up to 450 degrees, minimizes drying time, and smells divine. 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. I watched about a dozen YouTube videos on how to do it, which you'd think would be a good way. Separate that small section into three equal pieces. (We promise it's easier than it seems). 6. Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. If doing double braids, youll want to start by deciding on your part and sectioning your hair accordingly. 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. unlocking this expert answer. Method 1 Classic 3-Strand Braid 1 Brush your hair so it's free of knots. She explains that dry hair. "Wet hair is more fragile than dry," she explains. Luckily, we will give you plenty of tips for French braiding your own hair so you can start styling it. This content is imported from youTube. 10 January 2020. It can result in an easy-to-achieve professional hairstyle that can also moonlight as an effortless summer style to keep your hair out of your face. Hacks & Inspiration from Hair Experts at Unilever. [1] 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. She has a BA in Business Management from the California State University - East Bay and she received her Cosmetology License specializing in Hair Styling and Hair Design from the Fremont Beauty College. Brush through your hair to get all the tangles out and make it soft, smooth, and ready to braid. Yes. I give my whole head a good, thorough brush with my Tangle Teezer before taking a fine-tooth comb and running it horizontally down the back of my head. Separate your section into 3 equal strands. Repeat until your braid is finished. She explains that dry hair allows you to have more control of the separate strands when braiding, while wet hair is heavier and more prone to mixing into other pieces, which gets messy. Need some style inspo? Pull tightly as you go to eliminate any bumps. The Best Hair, Makeup, and Nails at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Marsai Martins Lengthy Goddess Box Braids Have the Perfect Curly Texture. a spray bottle. Before you attempt to start, heed this advice from style and hair expert Hannah Metz of Hannah Elisabeth Beauty: Start with dry hair. If you have any frizz or flyaways, use a little hairspray to keep them under control. Bend forward to release tension or rest your arms on a surface behind you (ex. Here, InStyle spoke with hairstylist Bobby Tochterman, co-founder of Maverick House NYC, a receptionist-free salon, and Robin Groover, owner of Too Groovy Salon in Atlanta, Ga., to give you a step-by-step tutorial on the best way to French braid your hair, no matter the texture. This article was co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. If the clip is loose on your hair, the braid will start to loosen. You can also condition your French braids by gently massaging the conditioner into your braids rather than rubbing them. (We promise it's easier than it seems). 2023 Cond Nast. , you will spread the weight of your hair across more of your scalp. By using our site, you agree to our. I love the simple step-by-step instructions and videos! Regardless of your skill level, each of these how-tos will answer all your burning braiding questions so youll never again have to wonder, Wait, what the #^%* am I supposed to do with my fingers?! Now its time to learn how to French braid your hair! Cross the middle section over the front outside section. I was just plaiting my hair wet to make. If you want two French braids, split your hair in half and clip one side out of the way. These step-by-step videos helped. Weave the sections of hair under and over each other, just as you would with a standard braid. The first ending . Step 3: Transfer to Right Hand. Last Updated: September 2, 2022