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Braiding hair is both simple and enjoyable. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can experiment with more intricate braiding styles. This article will guide you through the fundamentals of braiding and introduce you to some advanced techniques that build on these basic steps.
Steps
Basic Braiding Technique
Brush and detangle your hair. Start by brushing your hair from roots to tips to ensure it’s smooth before you begin. If your hair is particularly curly, you can apply a small amount of hair oil or leave-in conditioner.
Divide the hair into three equal sections at the nape of your neck. You’ll have a right section, a middle section, and a left section. Hold the left section with your left hand and the right section with your right hand.
- If you want to create two side braids, split your hair into two parts, then choose one section to braid first. Aim to position the braid just behind the ear for a stylish and elegant look.
Cross the right section over the middle section. Now, the right section will be in the middle, and the middle section will shift to the right.
Cross the left section over the new middle section. The left section will now move to the center, and the middle section will shift to the left.
Continue alternating between the right and left sections in this manner. Always cross the outer section over the middle, alternating between the left and right sides until only a few centimeters of hair remain at the end.
- Remember to pull tightly to prevent the braid from becoming loose. If the braid is too loose, the hair may fall out. After completing the braid, you can gently squeeze it to loosen it slightly.
- Smoothing the hair with your fingers as you braid will help keep the braid neat and sleek.
Secure the braid with a hair tie. You can braid the hair to any length you prefer. Most people leave 2.5 to 5 cm of hair unbraided at the end, but you can leave it longer if desired. Hold the end of the braid firmly with one hand and use the other hand to wrap the hair tie around it. Make sure it’s tight; if the braid feels loose, wrap the tie a few more times for a secure hold.
- Use a hair tie that matches your hair color: black, brown, or beige.
- If you have dark red hair, opt for a brown hair tie. For bright red hair, use a beige tie.
- If creating two side braids, repeat all the steps as you did for the first braid.
Add a ribbon or a cute hair clip to the end of the braid. You can tie a ribbon into a bow or attach a silk flower or a decorative clip to the braid. These accessories will enhance the braid’s appearance. Here are some ideas to consider:
- During summer, you can adorn your braid with a hibiscus or silk orchid for a tropical vibe.
- In autumn, opt for a hair clip made of copper, leather, or wood.
- For winter, use a silver clip with crystal accents or tie red and green ribbons for a festive Christmas or New Year look.
- In spring, choose accessories like ribbons, delicate flowers, or pastel and bright-colored embellishments.
Ndeye Anta Niang
Hair Stylist & Braiding Expert
Hair Stylist & Braiding Expert
Experts suggest: You can braid colorful patterned fabric or floral strips into your braid. Additionally, you can decorate your braid with accessories like feathers, leather, metal embellishments, or small items you love.
French Braiding Technique
Brush and detangle your hair thoroughly. Before starting, ensure your hair is smooth and straight by brushing it. You can apply a small amount of hair oil or leave-in conditioner to make it more manageable.
Divide the hair at the back of your head into an upper and lower section. Start gathering hair from above the eyebrows. You’ll begin braiding this section first.
Split the section into three equal parts. Smooth out each part to ensure a neat braid. Hold the right section with your right hand and the left section with your left hand.
- You can use small claw clips to keep the sections separate.
Start with the basic braiding technique. Cross the right section over the middle section, so the right section becomes the new middle. Next, cross the left section over the middle section. Use the basic braiding method up to this point.
- If you want to create a Dutch or reverse French braid, bring the right/left section under the middle section instead of over. This will give the braid a more "raised" appearance.
Add a small strand of hair to the right section. Take a strand about 1.3 to 2.5 cm wide from the hairline and combine it with the right section.
Cross the right section—now thicker—over the middle section. The right section will become the new middle, and the middle section will move to the outside.
- For a Dutch or reverse French braid, bring the right section under the middle section instead of over.
Add a small strand of hair to the left section. Take a strand about 1.3 to 2.5 cm wide from the hairline and combine it with the left section.
Cross the left section—now thicker—over the middle section. The left section will become the new middle, and the middle section will move to the outside.
- For a Dutch or reverse French braid, bring the left section under the middle section instead of over.
Continue French braiding until you reach the nape of your neck. Keep adding small strands of hair to the right and left sections before crossing them over/under the middle section.
- Smooth out the sections after each crossover to keep the braid sleek and tidy.
- Try to braid tightly for a secure hold.
Choose how to finish the braid. When you reach the nape, you can secure the French/Dutch braid with a hair tie or continue braiding in the basic style.
- If continuing, maintain a tight grip. After securing, you can gently loosen the braid for a more relaxed look.
Secure the braid with a hair tie. Whether you finish the braid at the nape or continue until only a few centimeters of hair remain, you’ll need to tie it off. Choose a hair tie that matches your hair color and wrap it multiple times to ensure the braid stays in place.
Add a ribbon to the end of the braid to conceal the hair tie. You can also use a hair clip or a silk flower. Here are some additional ideas:
- Draw inspiration from the seasons. Adorn your braid with a hibiscus flower in summer or a leather clip in autumn.
- Take cues from holidays. For Halloween, choose a black and orange bow for your braid. You can even attach a plastic spider to the center of the bow.
- Coordinate hair accessories with your outfit. If you’re wearing an elegant navy blue evening dress with silver accents, a hair clip with clear or white stones would be a charming addition.
- Choose decorations that match the occasion. For a school sports event, decorate your hair with a ribbon in your school or favorite team’s colors.
Side Braid Technique
Part your hair to one side. The side braid will start above one eyebrow and continue toward the opposite temple.
- This braiding style works particularly well for those with short hair.
Take a small section of hair near the part. For a thin braid resembling a headband, take a section about 2.5 cm wide. For a thicker boho-style braid, take a section around 5 cm wide.
Divide the section into three equal parts. Hold the two outer sections with one hand and the middle section with the other.
Start with the basic braiding technique. Take the section closest to the hairline and cross it over the middle section. Then, take the remaining outer section and cross it over the new middle section. After this step, you’ll begin French braiding.
- This method ensures a smooth French braid. For a Dutch or reverse French braid, bring the outer section under the middle section instead of over.
Add a small strand of hair to the section closest to the hairline. Take a strand from the hairline, equal to or thinner than the braiding section, and combine them. The braiding section will now be thicker.
Cross the outer section over the new middle section. This section will become the new middle. For a Dutch or reverse French braid, bring the outer section under the middle section.
Add a thin strand of hair to the inner section. Take a strand from the inner side, equal to or thinner than the braiding section, and combine them. The braiding section will now be thicker.
Cross the inner section over the new middle section. This section will become the new middle. For a Dutch or reverse French braid, bring the outer section under the middle section.
Continue adding strands and braiding the sections together. Keep the braid positioned between the ear and the opposite side of the head. While braiding, ensure you maintain a tight grip and smooth the hair for a sleek and tidy finish. You can loosen the braid slightly after completing it for a more relaxed look.
- For a Dutch or reverse French braid, remember to bring the outer section under the middle section instead of over.
Choose how to finish the braid. For a thin and elegant braid, you can end it just above the ear, finishing it like a basic braid and securing it with a hair tie. If you prefer a thicker boho-style braid, continue French braiding to wrap the braid around your head. The next steps will guide you further.
Stop braiding when the braid is about 2.5 cm from the nape. Begin French braiding horizontally across the back of your head to the other side of your neck. At this point, you can secure the braid with a hair tie. Alternatively, continue braiding in the basic style and tie it off 2.5 to 5 cm from the end.
Choose accessories to decorate the end of the braid after securing it. Accessories not only hide the hair tie but also enhance the braid’s appeal. Here are some ideas:
- Attach a silk flower for a boho vibe—the larger the flower, the better.
- Twist the braid into a bun and secure it with bobby pins, then add a dazzling hairpin for extra flair.
- For a small side braid, tie the end with a leather cord and leave the rest of the hair loose for a wild boho style.
Tips
- If you have short hair, you can make the braid appear longer by tying a soft, long ribbon at the end of the braid.
- For those with long, thick, and curly hair, your braid will look stunning and well-defined. If you have shorter strands around your face, consider straightening them for a more unique style.
- Braids hold better when the hair is slightly dirty and unwashed. For the best results, avoid washing your hair before braiding. The natural oils will help the braid stay smooth and neat.
- If your hair is very smooth and silky, the braid may loosen quickly. Use a styling mousse before braiding to add texture and grip.
- Braiding takes practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect.
- Use two mirrors—one in front and one behind—to see the back of your head while braiding.
- Once you’ve mastered the basic braid, challenge yourself with French or Dutch braids—essentially an inverted French braid. You can also explore four-strand braiding techniques.
- If possible, practice braiding on a friend’s hair.
- Watch more braiding tutorials (such as those on the MakeUpWearables YouTube channel) or challenge yourself with more complex styles on other platforms.
- Practice braiding on both thick and thin hair types.
