How to Braid Your Hair

Braiding your hair is a fantastic styling technique to make your hair stand out. It also gives off a chic, fashionable vibe. This article will show you how to create a basic braid. Once you master that, you can experiment with more complex styles like the French braid or fishtail braid.

Use a round comb or a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair. Braiding will be much easier when your hair is free of knots. Once detangled, you can brush your hair from top to bottom.

• If you have thick or layered hair, lightly dampen your hair with water or a styling gel before starting. This will make the braiding process smoother.
• You can braid your hair either wet or dry. Wet hair will result in a tighter, shinier braid, while dry hair will give a more tousled look.
• If braiding dry hair, it's best to do it a few days after washing. This way, your hair will have a bit of natural oil, which helps hold the braid better than completely clean hair.

Start by tying your hair (optional). Whether you tie all your hair up or just half of it, this will make braiding easier and help the braid stay in place. Once you're familiar with the braiding technique, you can braid your hair directly from the nape of your neck without needing to tie it first.

Divide your hair into three equal sections. These will form the three parts of your braid, so try to keep the sections as even as possible.

• Use your right hand to grab the right section of hair and your left hand for the left section, while leaving the middle section undisturbed (just for now).
• Hold the sections of hair in your right and left hands with your middle, ring, and pinky fingers, leaving your thumb and index finger free.

Move the left section to the middle. If we label the sections of hair as A B C, the new order should be B A C.

• Use your left index and thumb to grab the middle section of hair.
• Then, use your right index and thumb to take the section of hair in your left hand.
• The hair in your left hand is now the middle section of the braid.

Move the right section to the middle. The sections of hair, previously in the order B A C, should now be B C A.

• With your left hand, move the section held by your index and thumb to the center of your palm, holding it tightly with the remaining fingers.
• Use your left index and thumb to grab the section of hair that was in your right hand (but not the section still held by your right index and thumb).
• Now, the section in your right hand has become the middle section.

Continue braiding your hair. Keep using your thumb and index finger (that aren't involved in holding the hair) on each hand to grab the next section of hair from the other hand.

• Make sure to tighten the braid as you go. Every time you switch sections between hands, pull the braid slightly upwards to make it tighter. However, don't pull too hard.
• Keep repeating until only about 2.5cm to 7.5cm of unbraided hair remains at the bottom.

Secure the braid. Use a fabric hair tie to fasten the end of your braid. You'll need to wrap it a few times around the hair.

• Avoid using regular elastic bands as they can damage your hair and be difficult to remove at the end of the day.
• If possible, opt for a hair tie that matches your hair color or a clear one, so it blends in with the braid. This makes the braid look more natural and draws attention to the braid itself rather than the hair tie.

Use a styling spray to set the braid (optional). A hairspray or styling gel will help keep the braid intact all day long.

• If you choose to use a styling spray, apply it before you add any finishing touches to your hair.
• You can also apply a hair serum for extra shine. Rub the serum between your palms and gently smooth it along the length of the braid.

Add some finishing touches (optional). Use colorful ribbons to tie a bow at the end of the braid for an elegant touch.

• Consider using tulle, striped satin ribbons, or ric-rac trim, all of which are available in a variety of colors at craft stores.
• For a cute detail, use small hairpins near the top of the braid or to secure your bangs.

Detangle your hair. A French braid is difficult to achieve with tangled hair, so take time to detangle your hair with a round or wide-tooth comb before you begin.

Start with the section of hair above the braid. For a traditional French braid, this will be the hair near the forehead and crown of your head.

• There's no need to begin the French braid right at the top of your head. While that's the easiest way to learn, you can actually start the braid from any section. If you'd like to braid lower, just remember to grab all the hair above your ears to use as the upper part of the braid.
• Feel free to create multiple French braids by sectioning your hair. If you have short hair, it might be easier to braid two smaller ones instead of one big braid.

Divide the hair at the top into 3 equal sections. These three parts will form the base of your braid.

• The tricky part of French braiding is keeping the three sections even as you weave. To achieve a neat braid, start by making sure each section is balanced.
• Ensure that all sections are taken from the same row of hair, so they don’t become misaligned. Keeping them close together will also help.

Hold the three hair sections in your hands. Properly holding the sections will help you braid more quickly and neatly. Although you can find a method that works best for you, here's the basic approach for beginners:

• Hold the left section with your left hand.
• Hold the middle section between your right thumb and index finger.
• Hold the right section with the remaining three fingers of your right hand.

Move the right section to the middle. Here’s how to shift the middle section without losing control of the braid:

• With the last three fingers of your left hand, hold the left section firmly. Keep the left index and thumb still.
• Move your left index and thumb to the middle section and grab the right section. At this point, you’ll have two sections in your left hand and one in your right hand.

Move the left section to the middle. This process is identical to the previous step, but you’ll be using the opposite side.

• With the last three fingers of your right hand, hold the right section firmly. Keep your right index and thumb still.
• Move your right index and thumb to the middle section and grab the left section. Now, you’ll have two sections in your right hand and one in your left hand.

Lấy thêm tóc vào phần tóc bên phải. Cho đến lúc này, bạn đã có bím tóc thông thường. Tiếp theo là lúc bắt đầu quy trình "kiểu Pháp". Bạn sẽ mất vài lần thử mới có thể làm đúng nhưng sẽ dễ hơn khi bạn đã quen với cách lấy tóc.

• Thả phần tóc giữa xuống, để nó ở giữa phần tóc bên trái và bên phải. Bạn sẽ nhận ra nó ở giữa phần tóc còn lại – nó được nâng lên giữa phần tóc chưa tết.
• Dùng ba ngón còn lại của tay trái giữ phần tóc bên trái trong bàn tay và lấy phần tóc bên phải bằng ngón trỏ và ngón cái của bàn tay trái. Tay phải lúc này không còn giữ tóc.
• Dùng tay phải, kéo một phần tóc nhỏ chưa tết ở bên phải đầu. Giữ lấy phần tóc đó bằng ngón trỏ và ngón cái của tay trái để thêm vào phần tóc bên phải.
• Giữ lấy phần tóc giữa. Dùng tay phải lấy phần tóc giữa và di chuyển sang phải và nó trở thành phần tóc bên phải mới. Phần mà bạn vừa thêm tóc vào, được giữ bởi ngón trỏ và ngón cái của tay trái, đã thành phần tóc giữa.

Thêm tóc vào phần tóc bên trái. Quy trình này sẽ tương tự như bước trên, chỉ là dùng phần tóc phía bên kia:

• Thả phần tóc giữa xuống. Một lần nữa, để nó ở giữa phần tóc bên trái và bên phải.
• Dùng 3 ngón tay còn lại của tay phải giữ phần tóc bên phải trong bàn tay.
• Lấy phần tóc bên trái bằng ngón trỏ và ngón cái của tay phải. Tay trái lúc này không còn giữ tóc.
• Dùng tay trái, kéo một phần tóc nhỏ chưa tết ở bên trái đầu. Giữ phần tóc mới đó bằng ngón trỏ và ngón cái của tay phải để thêm vào phần tóc bên trái.
• Giữ lấy phần tóc giữa. Giữ tóc bằng tay trái và di chuyển sang trái để tạo ra phần tóc bên trái mới. Phần mà bạn vừa thêm tóc vào, được giữ bằng ngón trỏ và ngón cái của tay phải, đã trở thành phần tóc giữa mới.

Tiếp tục tết tóc theo kiểu này. Bạn sẽ hết tóc để thêm vào bím khi tết đến gáy và tại điểm này bạn sẽ hoàn tất bằng việc tết tóc thông thường. Để giữ bím tóc trông ngay ngắn, cố gắng lấy các phần của bím tóc tương tự như kích thước của bím đã tết phía trên.

Tết tóc cơ bản cho phần tóc còn lại. Tiếp tục thực hiện bím tóc 3 thông thường cho phần tóc chưa tết.

Cố định tóc. Dùng dây cột tóc cùng màu với tóc hoặc loại dây trong mờ để nó ẩn trong tóc. Tránh dùng dây thun thông thường vì nó sẽ làm hư tóc và khó tháo ra.

Secure the braid with a styling spray (optional). A hair styling spray or gel helps keep your French braid intact throughout the day.

• If you plan to add extra flair to your hair, apply the styling spray first. Be careful to avoid getting the spray on your clips or ribbons.
• If your hair tends to be dry or frizzy, use a hair serum to add shine and smoothness to your braid.

Accessorize your hair (optional). Tie a colorful ribbon at the end of your braid to add a touch of elegance.

• You can use tulle, striped satin ribbons, or ric rac, which are available in various colors at fabric or craft stores.
• Another way to enhance the braid's appearance is by adding an eye-catching hairpin or several bobby pins along the braid for a more polished look.

Divide your hair into two equal sections. A fishtail braid may look like it consists of many small pieces of hair, but in fact, it’s just two main sections.

• For a neat braid, use a comb to create a straight part from your forehead to the nape of your neck.
• If you prefer a more relaxed, messy style, similar to Katniss Everdeen's braid, simply divide your hair into two roughly equal parts using your hands.
• You can braid your fishtail while your hair is wet or dry.

Take a small section of hair from the left and bring it over to the right. Once you've done this, repeat the process for the entire braid.

• Your right hand should hold the right section of hair.
• Release the left section and let it fall naturally. Since you’re working with only two sections of hair, there’s no risk of accidentally grabbing the wrong section to braid.
• Using your left hand, take a small section of hair from the far left side, the part closest to your ear.
• With your right hand, hold this small section of hair and bring it into the right side of the braid.
• Keep the left section in your left hand. You can use your fingers to smooth out any tangles and tighten the braid as you go.

Take a small section of hair from the right and bring it to the left. This is similar to the previous step, but using the opposite side.

• For a more intricate braid, grab a smaller section of hair. If you're aiming for a quicker braid, take a larger section instead.
• Hold the left section of hair in your left hand.
• Release the right section and let it fall. Since you're working with only two sections, you don’t have to worry about grabbing the wrong one for braiding.
• With your right hand, take a small section from the farthest right side (the part closest to your ear).
• Use your left hand to grab the small section from the right and add it to the left side of the braid.
• Keep the right section in your right hand. As you braid, use your fingers to smooth out any tangles and tighten the braid.

Repeat the process until you've braided all the hair. Continue alternating sides and adding hair to the braid until you reach the end. Try to make sure the sections of hair you add are roughly the same size to keep the braid even.

Divide your hair into 5 equal sections. The 5-strand braid looks more intricate and graceful than the traditional 3-strand braid, but once you're familiar with the technique, it’s relatively easy to do.

• If you're just starting out, tie your hair up and practice the braid from that point, as it will give you a fixed base to work with.
• The 5-strand braid is easier to manage when your hair is wet or slightly oily from a few days without washing. This will help keep the sections in place and prevent them from tangling with other strands of hair.

Hold the hair sections with both hands. The easiest way is to hold the two left sections in your left hand and the two right sections in your right hand, letting the middle section fall free.

• Labeling the sections can help you keep them organized. The order should be 1 2 3 4 5.

Move the outermost left section to the center. Bring it up to sit above section 2 and below section 3, placing it in the middle.

• Now the order will be 2 3 1 4 5.
• Essentially, you are weaving the hair, moving the right section to the left and the left section to the right.

Weave the outermost right section into the middle. Move it up above section 4 and below section 1, so that section 5 is in the center.

• Now, the order will be 2 3 5 1 4.

Continue weaving until all the hair is braided. Alternate between the outer sections and move them to the center.

Secure the braid. Use a ribbon or a fabric hair tie to secure the end of the braid.

Dutch Braid. This style is the opposite of the French braid, where instead of crossing the hair sections over one another, you weave them underneath. It’s simple to do, and rather than the braid being tucked inside the hair (like the French braid), it appears on top of the hair in a 3-D effect.

Waterfall Braid. This beautiful braid is created by letting sections of hair fall free from a French braid, mimicking the flow of a waterfall. Once you're comfortable with the French braid, the next step is to master the waterfall braid.

Headband Braid. This is a small, delicate braid that goes from one ear to the other across the top of the head, resembling a headband. It can be made using either the French or Dutch braiding technique to braid the front sections of the hair into a stylish headband.

Large Braid from Smaller Braids. What does this look like? It's a regular 3-strand braid, but each smaller braid is braided together to form one large, intricate braid. This style looks amazing when paired with a bohemian headband or clips, giving the illusion of a complex style that’s surprisingly easy to achieve.

Rope Braid. This stunning braid resembles a twisted rope. While it might be a bit tricky at first, the result will be beautiful, especially when you braid it or wrap it into a bun.

• Pay attention to the thickness of the loose ends when securing the braid. Don't use a thick elastic for a small section of hair.
• If you struggle with keeping sections of hair separate, try tying a small elastic band around each part. Once you're nearly done braiding, remove the elastic and continue braiding to finish the braid.
• To help tame unruly hair, use water or a detangling spray to make it more manageable.
• If you're finding it difficult to braid your own hair, practice on your friends' hair until you're more comfortable with the technique.
• For a more relaxed, messy look, avoid braiding too tightly.
• If you're struggling with the French braid, try securing half of your hair with an elastic band. This will anchor the middle part, and the elastic will be hidden inside the braid.
• Don't undo the braid from the top, as it can cause tangles and knots. Instead, start from the unbraided section at the bottom to undo the braid smoothly.
• Don’t practice braiding on your own hair right away—try practicing on a friend’s hair or a doll’s hair to perfect your technique.
• Don't braid too tightly!
• Remember the order: outermost – across – underneath.
• If you've never braided before, start by practicing with thick yarn, ribbons, or doll's hair before braiding someone else's hair. You need to build muscle memory first.
• When braiding a 5-strand braid, forget the numbers and focus on taking the outermost section – lifting it up – and tucking it underneath (alternating sides).

• Round or regular comb
• Hair elastics
• Styling spray or gel
• Ribbons, clips, or other accessories (optional)