She also has significant experience creating native and branded content. 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. If you havent tried French braiding yet, you may want to give it a try. Your arms may get tired while braiding your hair. You can finish up the rest of your braid using the three-strand method again. When you hold back your hair with a loose French braid, you will spread the weight of your hair across more of your scalp. The TikTok-Viral Dyson Airwrap Is Back in Stock! My technique: grab the original strand between index finger and curled middle finger. If you left out bangs, style them as you usually would. If doing double braids, youll want to start by deciding on your part and sectioning your hair accordingly. Love Cosmo? Is a French braid formal enough for a wedding? If this happens, you can hold your hair in place with one hand and let the other arm rest for a few seconds. Learn how to do a French braid yourself! Whether you choose big or small chunks to weave in, do your best to grab the same size each time for a consistent look. Keep adding little sections as you braid until you reach the ends, then tie it off with an elastic. If you have thicker hair, you may need to start with more hair in your 3 sections. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. "I can never do a French plait on my hair usually and this really helped!! You can French braid hair that is longer than chin-length, though the style works best on hair that is at least shoulder-length long. - https://amzn.to/3iqDD3G *Silver Shampoo - https://amzn.to/3hkb5Yl *Deep Waver Iron (Great for beautiful waves!) But let's be real: it takes time to master the art of braiding. French braiding is a hairstyle that not only looks good for any occasion but is also a protective hairstyle that offers multiple benefits. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. The Duchess of York casts "no judgment" toward her nephew. You can create two separate braids, or you can combine the braids at the bottom to make one big braid. Each time that you pull in hair, make sure that it's equal amounts for each of the 3 sections, so that the braid will be neat. Is it better to braid your hair wet or dry? Once you've gotten the basics of a traditional braid down, you could try a French lace braid for a fancy twist. When you're somewhere past half way braided, grab the middle strand and scrunch up the braided hair towards your scalp. Then, tie one side up with a hair tie so it's not in your way while you're braiding the other side. 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. The Best Hair, Makeup, and Nails at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Wet hair tends to be easier to maneuver as you twist and weave your 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. So grab your comb and your hair ties, and lets get braiding: Its best to weave with hair thats a little more lived-in and dirty. Mattingly (who has tamed the tresses of Uma Thurman, Jennifer Lopez, and Adele, to name a few) broke down the plaiting process in five easy steps. At the same, "Yes, it was fun braiding the hair but because of my thick hair, it became a little bit more difficult. If you washed your hair within the past couple of days, use a texturizing product to add some grip. If you are making a single braid, wrap it all the way around your head. Finally, secure the braid and enjoy! "I didn't know how to french braid my hair. Secure it with a bobby pin and hide that under the rest of your hair. Pull tightly as you go to eliminate any bumps. Now all thats left to do is to give your braided style a spritz of some hairspray, like TRESemm TRES Two Extra Hold Non-Aerosol Hair Spray. Alternatively, you could create your new sections by joining the left and middle sections of your left braid, the right section of your left braid and the left section of your right braid, and the middle and right sections of your right braid. I couldn't get my cousin to do my hair so I, "This article was great. The initial chunk of hair will not affect how full your French braid will be, so start with a small 3-4 section of hair for best results. Weave the sections of hair under and over each other, just as you would with a standard braid. (Tip: If the right and left are confusing, just think about outer and inner pieces. "If the ends of your hair are stick straight, they will be more likely to poke out," she explains. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. If you have any frizz or flyaways, use a little hairspray to keep them under control. Voila! Once you reach the nape of your neck, you should encompass all of your hair into the French braid. If you suffer from ponytail headaches, French braiding may be a good alternative for you to try. Grabbing larger sections may be easier for beginners and will take less time to complete. 1Start with clean, dry hair. 5. Enjoy! Promise. You can braid the rest of your hair as far down as you like. The French braid is a slightly elevated version of your classic three-strand braid that looks just a little bit more put together; its the kind of hairstyle that you can wear for two or three days straight and it wont budge. I've Been Single for 8 Yearsand I Blame My Makeup. You can even opt to secure your hair with an elastic close to the nape of your neck. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. You can easily keep bangs and flyaways out of your face. Finish with a quick spritz of medium-hold hair spray like Ouai's Texturizing Hair Spray ($28). VIDEO: 8 Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making With Your Protective Style. a spray bottle. Taylor explains that the thicker the sectioning, the thicker and easier the braid will be. What's The Difference Between a Dutch Braid and a French Braid? Start with a traditional braid. I love the simple step-by-step instructions and videos! User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and 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. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Step Three: Braiding. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. It does, however, take more time to French braid than to do a standard braid. It may take a few tries to get your French braid down. Then, "grab and grab" as I like to say. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. (We promise it's easier than it seems). Anyone whos ever rocked two French braids will agree when we say theyre pretty much the superwoman of hairstyles. This way you free up your left hand to repeat the same sectioning technique on the other side. This will help refresh your hair and provide it with some volume. Bend forward to release tension or rest your arms on a surface behind you (ex. For tips from our Beauty reviewer on how to make an alternate French lace braid, keep reading! This will create the part in the back. If you notice the bottom part of your French braid seems a little loose or has a bulging appearance, you may be loosening your grip towards the end. Separate your section into 3 equal strands. 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. Repeat this 2-3 times. Need some style inspo? February's Hair Launches Are the Foundation of Great Hair Days. Tuck it in: For a more refined look, tuck the end of your braid under to create a full-updo that's perfect for a hot summer day. Wrap the long twist around the base of your ponytail (where the hair meets the back of your head). (Tip: If the right and left are confusing, just think about outer and inner pieces. Secure your messy bun by tying the hair tie around the bun. "It's the perfect prep for all hair types." It doesnt matter how big the chunks are you grab at each time. Surprisingly, some people find that not looking in a mirror makes it easier to pay attention to feeling their hair. Hold two subsections with one hand and the other section in the other. Repeat step 4 all the way down your head. Steps 1 and 2: Take a Two-Inch Section of Hair and Begin the French Braid. Want a cute look that's fun and easy to create? Finally, mist a little hairspray over the whole look for a more secure hold, or let it hang loose and free. Practice makes perfect, and the best way to get good at French braiding your own hair is to do it over and over again. She specializes in creating SEO and e-commerce content across a range of lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. 2023 Cond Nast. French braids don't have to be confusing. Ad Choices. 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. You should also keep in mind that the size of the braid will alter its look. Enjoy! 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. I'm Athena, your personal Hair Assistant. This is what will give your French braid that woven look. The French braid is a beautiful and classic hairstyle and a favorite to many. This hairstyle is great for activities like dancing or cheerleading. Tutorial: How to Do a Simple and Stylish Braid, 45 Half Braided Hairstyles You Can Master in Minutes, Dove Refresh+Care Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo, TRESemm TRES Two Extra Hold Non-Aerosol Hair Spray, TRESemm Compressed Micro Mist Texture Hold Level 1 Hair Spray, 10 Perfect Two Braids Hairstyles That We Love, 20 Side Part Hairstyles for Every Hair Length, Suave Professionals Biotin Infusion Strengthening Conditioner, Box Braids with Loose Ends: 10 Looks Were Obsessed With, Flat Twist Hairstyles: 10 Ways Culture Inspired the Runway, In Bloom: 10 Flower Hairstyles Were Gushing Over Now, Halo Braid with Box Braids: 3 Stylish and Simple Ways to Get The Look, 15 Red Braids Styles Were Utterly Obsessed With, How to Create a Chic, Half-Up Braided Style, Style It On: Braided Prom Updo with Mini Marley, Natural Hair Tips: Caring for the Crochet Twist and Other Protective Styles with Daven Mayeda, Cute Braid Styles: 10 Super Pretty Pinterest-Worthy Ideas. Although many people assume French braiding your own hair is challenging, it is easier than you might think. For natural hair, Groover recommends "smoothing and designing your edges." Love the look of a French braid but not sure how create the hairstyle yourself? You may need to rest your arms sometimes while you braid. 03 of 35. A French braid only has a few extra steps if you already know how to do a standard three-strand braid. The important thing is that all new hair comes from the same side of the braid. Cue minor freak-out. The secret is to add a strand of hair to each section before braiding it. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. This content is imported from poll. Create the section in the direction you want to braid. Your next perfect blowout (at home!) Once you're done, finish the braid with the hairspray of your choice "to calm flyaways and keep the shape," says Tochterman. 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. 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). Try twisting your strands into a low braided bun for aquick and easy updo, or take inspiration from the image above and rock these playful pigtails. Then switch hands and rest the other arm. When there is friction on your hair, it can cause hair damage. References // Blonde Mannequin Head - Real Hair (Table Clamp included) https://amzn.to/2Ztoebz *// Blonde Mannequin Head - Synthetic fiber Hair (Table Clamp included) https://amzn.to/3ke2hoV *// Tabel Clamp - Cheaper version (If you buy a head without one) - https://amzn.to/35FQVFV *// Tabel Clamp Fancy version (If you buy a head without one) - https://amzn.to/32xFXk5 *P R O D U C T S I U S E // (Affiliate Links Below - read the disclaimer at the bottom of the infobox)Mini Rubber Bands - https://amzn.to/3mdFds9 *Rat Tail Comb (Use this everyday to style my own hair) - https://amzn.to/35suQL3 *Small Mirror (Similar) - https://amzn.to/3kmmWH4 *Topsy Tail set - https://amzn.to/3qhbNLF *Hair Clips (Similar) - https://amzn.to/38Q9mtt *Styling Powder (This is great!!) Cross the middle section over the front outside section. To learn more from our Cosmetologist co-author, like how to combine 2 French braids into a single braid, keep reading! If you'd like, you can tuck the ends of each braid under the opposite braid to create a hair "crown." Each time you cross one section over the other, grab a chunk of hair from the same side as the section. {"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":"