Buzz
The French braid is a timeless and sophisticated hairstyle. While the intricate braids might look challenging, the technique itself is quite simple. The trick is to add small sections of hair into each part of the braid as you go. Once you understand the basic steps of a traditional French braid, you can experiment with variations, like incorporating a French braid into your bangs for a more delicate and stylish look.
Steps
Traditional French Braid
Preparation. Brush your hair to remove any tangles and make it smooth before you begin braiding. To braid the hair at the back of your head, start by combing the hair back from your forehead.
- You can opt to braid your hair to one side or create multiple braids. In this case, simply brush your hair in the desired direction and divide it into sections.
- Feel free to braid your hair either dry or wet. However, braiding wet hair will give you soft, wavy curls once the braid is undone.
Parting the Hair. Begin by taking a large section of hair, about 8-10cm wide, from the center of the crown. Make sure all the hair in this section is aligned evenly, avoiding any uneven strands. You want to avoid any asymmetry or uneven heights in this part.
- If you have bangs, you can either incorporate them into the braid or leave them loose. Choose whichever option flatters your look the most. To start the braid, you'll need a section of hair from the top of your head, just above your forehead.
- The section of hair you're taking initially won't affect the thickness of the braid. Start with a smaller section, and as you add more hair, the braid will become thicker.
Divide the first section into three smaller parts. Like a traditional braid, a French braid also uses three sections of hair. Separate the hair by using your fingers to create three equal parts. Ensure none of the sections are smaller or larger than the others.
Start with a traditional braid style. First, place your hands in the correct position: hold two sections of hair in one hand and the third section in the other hand. Begin by crossing the 'right' section over the middle section, followed by the 'left' section over the middle. Repeat this step until you've formed several rows of a traditional braid.
Traditional braiding techniques apply here.
Incorporate more hair into the braid. Continue braiding in the traditional style, but add new sections of hair as you go. Before crossing the sections into the middle, gather a bit of hair from each side and incorporate it into the part you're bringing to the center.
- Each time you move a side section to the middle, make sure to add more hair from both sides. The amount of hair you add isn't important, but adding smaller amounts will make the braid look more intricate.
- For the best French braid effect, take hair close to your face and neck. If you only take hair from the center (near the main hair section), the braid will be covered by the outer hair layers.
Complete the braid. As you continue braiding, eventually you’ll run out of hair to add. Once you reach the nape of your neck, you will have incorporated all the hair from both sides and can finish the braid at that point.
Finish the braid. Once you've added all the hair to the braid, continue with the traditional braiding technique for the remaining section of hair. Braid all the way to the ends, and then secure the braid with an elastic band.
- Avoid using regular elastic bands as they may cause hair breakage when removed.
French Braid for Bangs
Preparation. Similar to the traditional French braid, start by combing your hair smooth and detangling it. A French braid for bangs can be done on one side or both sides, so you'll need to part your hair. Whether you start from the middle or the side depends on the style you want to create.
Start with a small section of hair. Take a small section of hair from one side, near your natural part. The size of this section is crucial, as it will determine the thickness of your braid. To make a thicker braid, take a larger section; for a finer braid, take a smaller one. Generally, aim for a section that's about 2.5cm wide.
Divide the section of hair into three parts. Just like with a traditional French braid, split the first section of hair into three equal parts. Instead of pulling the hair back toward the nape, tilt the sections towards your face as you begin to braid.
Start the braid. Begin by creating a French braid with the traditional technique. Take the "right" section of hair and cross it over the middle section, followed by the "left" section crossing over the middle as well.
Add more hair. For a traditional French braid, you would add hair from both sides of your head. However, with the French braid for bangs, you only add hair from one side of the braid.
- The side from which you add the hair doesn't matter. Just ensure you're adding hair from the same side throughout the braid.
Continue braiding around the head. As you proceed, the braid will form a circular shape around your head. You can choose to continue braiding either above or below your ears.
- If you're braiding just one section, wrap the braid around your head. You may run out of hair as you reach the ear on the other side.
- If you're braiding two sections, stop when you reach the nape of your neck. Secure the first braid with an elastic band, then repeat the same process for the remaining section.
Finish the braid. Once you have no more hair to add to the braid, continue braiding in the traditional style down to the ends. Finally, secure the braid with an elastic band to hold it in place.
Tips
- Detangle your hair and avoid braiding it too tightly.
- Braid your hair in front of a mirror so you can see what you're doing.
- Use a mirror when braiding your hair for the first few times.
- Wet hair is easier to braid as it holds the shape better.
- Ensure you add equal amounts of hair each time you braid, as varying thickness can make the braid uneven. The thickness of the sections also affects the overall look of the braid: thinner sections create a more intricate braid, while thicker sections make the braid look simpler.
- Keep the braid neat, but don't braid it too tightly against your scalp, as this can make the braid uncomfortable and cause hair to fall out throughout the day.
- Focus while braiding to avoid making mistakes.
- This hairstyle is great for activities like dancing or cheerleading, but you should start braiding from the top of your head and secure it with bobby pins.
- Try braiding your hair into a bun or tying it into a ponytail instead of completing the whole braid.
- Always take a full section of hair to braid, so you don't run out of hair while braiding.
- Don't forget to use hairspray! It will help keep your hair neat and tidy.
- If you have fine hair, use extra hairspray to keep the braid in place.
- Use a small elastic band to secure the middle section of hair.
Warnings
- Your hands may get tired while braiding. Try bending your hands to relieve the pressure, or rest your hands on a surface behind you (like the headboard or the back of a chair).
- Be careful not to let go of the hair while braiding the French braid, as you may have to start over from scratch!
