So, What Are the Best Tips For French Braiding Your Own Hair. This will help refresh your hair and provide it with some volume. All the Weird Areas You Can Get Injectables. Learn how to do a French braid yourself! 6. 2. A French braid is formal enough for any wedding theme. 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. Secure it with a bobby pin and hide that under the rest of your hair. Before beginning your French braid, brush your hair to remove any tangles or knots. It does, however, take more time to French braid than to do a standard braid. Once youve reached the nape of your neck, you should find that youve run out of extra hair to bring into your braid. It is easier to braid if your hair is wet. - https://amzn.to/3iqDD3G *Silver Shampoo - https://amzn.to/3hkb5Yl *Deep Waver Iron (Great for beautiful waves!) Then, use your brush to grab the middle section of hair on the top of your head. Brush through your hair to get all the tangles out and make it soft, smooth, and ready to braid. 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. Once you get your general technique down, you can start refining your process. , you will spread the weight of your hair across more of your scalp. You can tie off your hair at any point during your braid. Your California Privacy Rights. Ad Choices. Editors tip: For a more textured look, we love using a light-hold hairspray like TRESemm Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray Texture Hold Level 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. .css-9quk5{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#fff;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;border-bottom:thin solid #6F6F6F;background-color:#000000;border-radius:50rem;font-family:RundDisplay,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:0.75rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:0.03em;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:0.625rem;padding:0.625rem 1.25rem;padding-bottom:0.8rem;padding-left:1.3125rem;padding-right:1.3125rem;padding-top:0.76rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-9quk5:hover{color:#fff;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:#000000;}.css-9quk5:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}Subscribe here! Prepare Sections of Hair. To do a fishtail braid, divide your hair into 2 sections and bring one strand of hair over one section and into the other. 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. But the style isn't as effortless as it looks, especially if you're trying to French braid your own hair. Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. In short, youll be using all your fingers as little hooks to hold the three sections as you braid. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Every time you cross over, work in another small piece of hair. Promise. 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. Just make sure that you don't let go of the braid. But heres where the ~French~ part comes inonce youve started your braid, begin adding a small sliver of hair to each section every time you cross it over the middle. At the same, "Yes, it was fun braiding the hair but because of my thick hair, it became a little bit more difficult. French braids surprisingly have a lot of benefits. If we link to any product, you should assume that well receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. Danielle James is a New York-based journalist who covers all things fashion, beauty, and celebrity. If this happens, you can hold your hair in place with one hand and let the other arm rest for a few seconds. Congrats! At this point, the hard work is over. When you're somewhere past half way braided, grab the middle strand and scrunch up the braided hair towards your scalp. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our By using our site, you agree to our. When you're done with the French braid, you can take the extra step of hiding the elastic tie if you want an all-natural look. Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? 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. The French braid is a beautiful and classic hairstyle and a favorite to many. Follow These Steps to Create a Sleek Long Ponytail, 8 Easy Summer Hairstyles to Recreate If You Have Long Hair, 8 of the Most Beautiful Protective Styles to Try Year Round, The 10 Best Curly Hair Products To Create a Full, Frizz-Free Routine, The Best Hot Air Brushes for a Smooth, Shiny At-Home Blowout, These Dyson Airwrap Attachments Make All the Difference, Easy Hairstyles You Can Create on Every Natural Hair Texture, How To Create a Halo Braid on Natural Hair, How to Re-Twist Your Own Locs, According to Expert Locticians, How to Master the Big, Bouncy '90s Blowout, How to Air-Dry Your Hair No Matter Your Texture, The Best Braided Hairstyles for Thin Natural Hair, The Best Hot Oil Treatments You Didn't Know Your Natural Hair Needed, OGX Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray. Now its time to learn how to French braid your hair! Set yourself in front of a mirror, grab a brush and a comb, and learn this timeless hairstyle. You can even opt to secure your hair with an elastic close to the nape of your neck. retailers. Go messy: "One of my favorite French braid variations is to lightly pull out the sides of each section all the way down the braid," says Metz. If doing double braids, youll want to start by deciding on your part and sectioning your hair accordingly. Hold two subsections with one hand and the other section in the other. 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. to learn, but it wasn't. Finish your braid a couple of inches from the ends of your hair. Whether you want an elegant style, need to keep your hair back during a workout, or just want to mix things up, double French braids are the style for you. Leave about two inches of hair unbraided and secure with an elastic. That means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase. If You've Never Heard of Knotless Braids, It's Time to Catch Up. 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. French braiding your hair before bed and sleeping on a silk pillowcase is a great technique to prevent tangles in the morning, among, When there is friction on your hair, it can cause hair damage. This allows you, in the next step, to rock your hand forward and release the first strand. So if youre looking for another heatless way to style your hair, and a French braid has been on your unofficial bucket list forever, try following one of these YouTube tutorials, below. A hair bungee is better than tying your hair with traditional elastic bands, which can cause breakage. Enjoy! Luckily, you can do a few things to make your practice runs a little easier. :)", "It was helpful to have a video as well as written words to secure the process in your head.". A hair bungee is better than tying your hair with. "Clean, dry hair is best when you are putting it into French braids," Taylor says. Let's chat! I'm Athena, your personal Hair Assistant. It will just make the biggest tangle ever. Repeat these steps on the other side (making sure to pull tightly each time you cross a section) and youll have two beautiful French braids. Avoid securing your braid with a rubber band. There are plenty of fun ways to add a little flair to a standard French braid: Adding a ribbon: Up the strands you're working with to four, and you can add in a cute ribbon or scarf. Start at the crown of your head and grab a small chunk of hair. YouTuber Rayann starts with stretched hair, then uses a detangling brush to smooth any knots before braiding. If you left out bangs, style them as you usually would. a spray bottle. It doesnt matter how big the chunks are you grab at each time. 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. Each outer piece must be crossed over the inner piece once. Since Im no pro, I enlisted the help of hairstylist, braid queen, and author of All Hair is Good Hair Annagjid Kee Taylor to provide some expert-backed tips for learning to French-braid your own hair. You might want a braid down the side of your head instead, or maybe you're making more than one braid. If you havent tried French braiding yet, you may want to give it a try. Try to keep the 3 sections equal in size to make the braid look more uniform. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. All of our experts agree that French braids are a great solution for second or third day hair; however curly girls may find more control braiding on . 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. Sign up to the newsletter and get exclusive hair care tips and tricks. You may need to rest your arms sometimes while you braid. If you opt for a wet look braid, Tochterman recommends a quarter size of RandCo Motorcycle Flexible Hold Gel. French braided hair looks elegant and can be worn casually, professionally, or on a date. Next, French braid the loose section of your hair starting at the top of your head and working your way down to the ends of your hair. Hacks & Inspiration from Hair Experts at Unilever. ", Next, "divide the subsection into three small sections and begin the braid at the edges with the tiny short cross movements for a precise finish and style longevity. Start at the top of your head and section off a portion of hair, about three to four inches wide. it curly, so it didn't need to be that neat but it's still the best one I've done. VIDEO: 8 Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making With Your Protective Style. Method 1 Classic 3-Strand Braid 1 Brush your hair so it's free of knots. Great if you want to go to a party, wedding, or even just in public or around the house. You need to remember to start the braid high on your head and secure it with bobby pins as you go. X Then split the hair into three equal sections so you chunks on the left, in the middle, and on the right. Then, tie one side up with a hair tie so it's not in your way while you're braiding the other side. 4 Best French-Braid Tutorial For Curly Hair. Then switch hands and rest the other arm. We asked Nathaniel Hawkins, celebrity hairstylist at Tracey Mattingly, how to French braid our hair on our own. When using a mirror, youre looking at a backward image. Hold the right strand with your pinky, the middle strand with your middle finger, and the left strand between your index and thumb. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Why Trust Us? Cross the left section over the center section. - https://amzn.to/3mgTcxd *S U B S C R I B E // https://www.youtube.com/shinylipstv?sub_confirmation=1I N S T A G R A M // http://instagram.com/everydayhairinspirationB L O G // http://everydayhairinspiration.comF A C E B O O K // https://www.facebook.com/everydayhairinspirationP I N T E R E S T // https://www.pinterest.dk/everydayhairinspirationB L O G P O S T // http://www.everydayhairinspiration.com/2018/06/29/how-to-french-braid-step-by-step/M U S I C // Music provided by Majestic Casual - https://www.youtube.com/majesticcasualAlvy Alchimie, Pt 2 | Majestic Color - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qgo7NWf87AB U S I N E S S I N Q U I R E S // ShinyLipsTvContact@gmail.comD I S C L A I M E R // This video is not sponsored. Then cross the right section over the center section. Youre not the only one whos wanted to give up at this point and throw your hair in a ponytail. Oh, and did I mention the whole process doubles as an arm workout? Most people like to part their hair in the center for two French braids, but I like to keep my side part intact. Steps 1 and 2: Take a Two-Inch Section of Hair and Begin the French Braid. If the clip is loose on your hair, the braid will start to loosen. She explains that dry hair. How to Fake a French Braid Along the Hairline. This will help you achieve cleaner lines and contribute to the overall look of the braid. Then, "grab and grab" as I like to say. If you washed your hair within the past couple of days, use a texturizing product to add some grip. When you're done with the French braid, you can take the extra step of hiding the elastic tie if you want an all . You'll need to secure the braids in place with a few bobby pins. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Need some style inspo? Only use a little, though, because too much will stiffen your braids, she says. Continue this until you have taken it out. Move all strands over to your left hand, separating them with your fingers. Once shes finished braiding down to the very end of her hair, she lays her edges and boomall set. HelloGiggles.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith Beauty & Style Group. The length of the braid also determines where you will focus on applying product. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. . Once you remove it, you risk damaging or pulling out chunks of hair. Boho Braids Are TikTok's Favorite Protective Hairstyle. Tochterman breaks down the exact way to French braid below. ", I made a classic french braid. Part slightly damp hair on the right side. Read more here - https://www.everydayhairinspiration.com/disclosure/ Choose a tight clip or tie to hold the braid. After you secure your French braid with an elastic, gently pull apart each braid to fluff it out. Research source Tochterman advises to grab a brush and bungee. This is what will give your French braid that woven look. Enjoy! Whatever you do, do NOT brush or comb it as soon as you take the band out. Keep adding little sections as you braid until you reach the ends, then tie it off with an elastic. Creating a Classic French Braid 1 Prep your hair so it is ready for styling. 8 Hairstyles for Growing Out a Pixie in 2023, How to Style Curtain Bangs With a Flat Iron | Step-by-Step. February's Hair Launches Are the Foundation of Great Hair Days. Freshly-washed hair will be harder to braid. Behold: the best tutorials youll ever watch. She's ready to turn the page following ex-husband's cheating. Continue adding more to your braid as you move down your head until you reach the nape of your neck. 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. This article was co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. 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.) Your French braid will last all day (or even days!). The nape of your neck is the base of your head, just before your neck starts. For tips from our Beauty reviewer on how to make an alternate French lace braid, keep reading! 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. Anyone whos ever rocked two French braids will agree when we say theyre pretty much the superwoman of hairstyles. 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. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. When you grab chunks of hair to add to your braid, start by adding more significant pieces. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. a headboard or backrest).You could also temporarily tie it with elastic and give your arms a rest. If youd like to keep your braids dry, use a shower cap to prevent water from touching them. Double French braids are a fun and cute hairstyle thats also very practical. | Twist Me Pretty, No Heat Summer Beach Waves w/ Consistent Curl, How to French Braid Natural Hair for Beginners Step by Step, Yes, You *Can* French-Braid Your Own Hair, It's Time to Learn How to Dutch-Braid Your Hair, French Braids With Mini Buns Will Give You *Life*, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. 2. 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. The French braid is an excellent option for beginner braiders. You've completed a French braid all on your own! Now I can french braid my and my friends hair easily. Yes, you can shower with French braids. Your arms may get tired while braiding your hair. You can use the teeth of the comb or the tail of the comb if it has one. Let layers in front of your ears fall out of the braid on their own, says Hawkins. She says that people with thinner hair might want to add a little bit of dry shampoo to the middle of their strands to provide extra thickness and body. Keep going because your style will be worth it! Shake the braid a bit from the tail to loosen the look and make your hair look thicker. Easy to explain, but how TF do you actually do it? Transfer both strands to your right hand. 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. How much new hair you grab each time doesn't matter, but the less hair you grab, the more intricate the braid will look. (Tip: If the right and left are confusing, just think about outer and inner pieces. No, you dont have to ask your one friend whos really good at hair to do yours every single time, because all you need is the right products, some patience, and a little (okay, more than a little) practice. Youll be surprised at how powerful your sense of touch is. If you have short layers, Metz suggests curling the end of your layers before you start the braiding process. These step-by-step videos helped. "It takes practice, but I eventually got it (be sure to practice a lot!) Some of the links above are affiliate links (all affiliate links will be marked with a star*). ISince the final look isnt the braid, its okay if you have a few bumps and pieces sticking out. Take . Pro-tip: if you have stray hairs, use a spiral bobby pin to hold them in place. "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. Voila! If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Twist the two strands of hair together, feeding in more strands of hair from your parted section as you go along. "I never knew how to do a French braid because my cousin always did it. Wet hair tends to be easier to maneuver as you twist and weave your hair. French braids look stylish in just about any atmosphere. The grittiness of the dry shampoo might make it easier for the braids to stay in place, too. Once you're ready, prep your hair with antioxidant-filled RandCo Suncatcher, "[It's the] perfect leave-in conditioner lightweight, has vitamin C, helps detangle and nourish, and has UV protection," gushes Tochterman. It doesn't matter which side you add new hair from. Weave the sections of hair under and over each other, just as you would with a standard braid. Once you have sectioned off your hair for each braid, work on one side at a time. Luckily, we will give you plenty of tips for French braiding your own hair so you can start styling it. In that case. Wrap the pigtail braid from the other side under your head, near the nape of your neck, and secure with bobby pins. unlocking this expert answer. 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. Cross the middle section over the front outside section. Finish with a quick spritz of medium-hold hair spray like Ouai's Texturizing Hair Spray ($28). 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. Vote for your favorite beauty products now. 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. You did it, boo. References If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. Then take a two-inch section of hair from either side of your part, separate it into three equal pieces, and start braiding your hair as you usually would: Cross the right piece over the middle piece, then cross the left piece over the middle piece. How To French Braid Your Own Hair Step By Step For Complete Beginners - FULL TALK THROUGH EverydayHairInspiration 297K subscribers Subscribe 137K Share 8.7M views 6 years ago French. Step 3: Transfer to Right Hand. I couldn't get my cousin to do my hair so I, "This article was great. Keep your hands as close to your scalp as possible rather than braiding up in the air. 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. The Best Hair, Makeup, and Nails at the 2023 Grammy Awards. If you French braid your hair wet, you will have wavy hair once you take it out. Your next perfect blowout (at home!) Each user should evaluate the information on our site and is encouraged to do further research before taking any action, inaction, or making any decision based on the content provided on our site. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Our virtual concierge will create a hair care regimen just for you. This article was co-authored by Vanessa Garcia and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. She also has significant experience creating native and branded content. Approved. Start Here Hair Care Styling Tips For French Braiding Your Own Hair | Step-by-Step Guide, Written by: Author Olivia Moore |Reviewed by: Editorial Team. - https://amzn.to/2ZtR8Ip *Hairspray - https://amzn.to/2FtuoBr *Bobby Pins - https://amzn.to/33kzKXR *Wet Brush (Use it every day) - https://amzn.to/35wwXgS *Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer (So much fun to use!) This type of French braid doesn't involve the entire head, so it's a lot easier and less time-consuming to create. Start by creating a standard three-strand braid, braiding left over middle, right over the middle. Yes, you can shower with French braids. Start with a traditional braid. Use your index fingers to pick up pieces of hair below the crown from just outside the plaited area along the way (try to pick up half-inch sections of hair to keep the braid balanced) and pull them into the braid. As you braid, your arms may get tired. 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. Start at the top of your head, next to the part, and grab a small section of hair. Braid your hair in the mirror, so that you can see what you're doing. Wrap the long twist around the base of your ponytail (where the hair meets the back of your head). Grabbing larger sections may be easier for beginners and will take less time to complete. Don't be scared; it looks good in any hair, "This is really good. References This lightweight oil works tohydrateyour strands while also keeping frizz at bay. Optional: add a little mousse or gel to keep hair intact and to prevent . Now you know how to French braid your hair your own hair in five easy steps. 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. You can create two separate braids, or you can combine the braids at the bottom to make one big braid. Support wikiHow by