Start at the crown of your head and grab a small chunk of hair. Every time you cross over, work in another small piece of hair. Repeat until your braid is finished. The French braid is a beautiful and classic hairstyle and a favorite to many. Hair How To: How to French Braid (for dummies) - Amy Of All Trades unlocking this expert answer. If the clip is loose on your hair, the braid will start to loosen. Practice on the side of your head, where you can see your fingers, or on someone else! Each time you cross one section over the other, grab a chunk of hair from the same side as the section. 6. As you continue to practice your new hairstyle, keep these additional tips for French braiding your own hair in mind. 2023 Cond Nast. . How to French Braid Your Own Hair - yahoo.com In the morning, unravel the braids for really natural waves, no heat required. This article has 56 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Once you have no more hair to incorporate, continue the traditional three-strand braid to the ends of your hair and secure with an elastic. Tips For French Braiding Your Own Hair | Step-by-Step Guide By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This content is imported from youTube. 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. 4 Best French-Braid Tutorial For Curly Hair. This content is imported from poll. Here, InStyle spoke with hairstylist Bobby Tochterman, co-founder of Maverick House NYC, a receptionist-free salon, and Robin Groover, owner of Too Groovy Salon in Atlanta, Ga., to give you a step-by-step tutorial on the best way to French braid your hair, no matter the texture. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). The actor describes Harry Styles as "a very kind guy.". Optional: add a little mousse or gel to keep hair intact and to prevent . The singer reveals how grueling life was on the road. 2. 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. Some people find it easier to feel the sections of hair as they start reaching to the back of their heads. And so are five other '90s tattoo styles. You did it, boo. A hair bungee is better than tying your hair with. Vanessa has over 10 years of experience in styling hair. Finally, secure the braid and enjoy! Try to create an even part as you go down your hairline. For tips from our Beauty reviewer on how to make an alternate French lace braid, keep reading! Continue doing this all the way down your head. Repeat step 4 all the way down your head. Gather Hair at Top of Head and Divide Into Three Sections Starting at the Hairline: Get enough hair from the top of the head to start a regular braid. You may want to use the long end of a rat tail comb to make a clean part. Only use a little, though, because too much will stiffen your braids, she says. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. ATH Investigates, Natural Hair Care Guide and Products to Fight Humidity, ATH Opinion: Why the Nostalgia Trend is Creating an Ongoing Conversation Across Decades, 10 Tapered Haircuts and Short Hairstyles for Men Seen on the Runway, 15 Sweet and Striking Shades of Honey Brown Hair, Understanding Why the Appropriation of Hair Ingredients is Culturally Wrong, 8 Shampoos for Straight Hair that Add Body and Shine. With each new stitch, add a little more hair into your braid. Enjoy! Vanessa Garcia is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Before beginning your French braid, brush your hair to remove any tangles or knots. 5. 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. Start by creating a standard three-strand braid, braiding left over middle, right over the middle. Some of the links above are affiliate links (all affiliate links will be marked with a star*). Continue this until you have taken it out. We suggest practicing while youre watching your favorite movie or TV show to get plenty of practice. It takes a lot of patience to grab small sections, especially if you are new to the French braid. Start your French braid with one row of a traditional braid, which you can do by first crossing the right strand into the center, then crossing the left strand into the center. Let's chat! One challenge many French braiders come across is bumps appearing in their sections. Yes, you can shower with French braids. Your hair will be easier to braid if its still slightly damp, but you can still braid dry hair. Secure your French braid with a hair elastic. "Wet hair is more fragile than dry," she explains. 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. (Tip: If the right and left are confusing, just think about outer and inner pieces. VIDEO: 8 Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making With Your Protective Style. After youve gathered all of your hair into the French braid, group the ends together, create three evenly-sized sections, and finish braiding with a standard 3-section braid. It may take some practice to learn the best way to braid your own hair. This article was co-authored by Vanessa Garcia and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Cross the middle section over the front outside section. But taking matters into your own hands (quite literally) and learning to French-braid your own hair definitely takes practice and patience. ", short or long. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The higher the bun, the less sag you will get. Once youve reached the nape of your neck, you should find that youve run out of extra hair to bring into your braid. Set yourself in front of a mirror, grab a brush and a comb, and learn this timeless hairstyle. Secure it with a bobby pin and hide that under the rest of your hair. Before beginning your second braid, let your arms rest for a few minutes. Prepare Sections of Hair. Once you have sectioned off your hair for each braid, work on one side at a time. But do not grip tightly to prevent breakage," warns Groover. Plus, two French braids are an easy style to master and theyre not nearly as intricate as they look. 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. Begin the same way that you would a normal braid: Cross the right piece over the middle, then the left. The Best Hair, Makeup, and Nails at the 2023 Grammy Awards. (We promise it's easier than it seems). She is also the founder of Model Citizen, a sustainable fashion company that encourages peer-to-peer clothing sharing and supports emerging designers. For the best-looking French braid, pick up the hair near your face and neck. The Fix #18: Braid up a simple three strand braid on one side of your head. Love the look of a French braid but not sure how create the hairstyle yourself? How To French Braid Your Hair - L'Oral Paris Secure with an elastic if needed, or simply curl the ends to prevent them from unraveling. With a few twists of the wrists you're suddenly twinning with the likes of Disney princesses like Rapunzel and Belle. Finish with a quick spritz of medium-hold hair spray like Ouai's Texturizing Hair Spray ($28). Multiple braids, like pigtails, may sound like a big jump in technical ability, but it's really quite simple once you know what you're doing. Separate that small section into three equal pieces. Yes. 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. Once you've gotten the basics of a traditional braid down, you could try a French lace braid for a fancy twist. Boho Braids Are TikTok's Favorite Protective Hairstyle. Surprisingly, some people find that not looking in a mirror makes it easier to pay attention to feeling their hair. Support wikiHow by It will take a little practice getting used to doing it on your own hair, but since you already know how to do it on a friend's, you have a nice head start! From here, there are two options to finish the braid. French braiding is a hairstyle that not only looks good for any occasion but is also a protective hairstyle that offers multiple benefits. Although many people assume French braiding your own hair is challenging, it is easier than you might think. Your next perfect blowout (at home!) "It takes practice, but I eventually got it (be sure to practice a lot!) 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. How to French Braid: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow ", looked it up, I had to do something with my hair before my performance. To ensure hair from the other side doesn't get in your way when braiding, secure each section with a tie or clip, says Metz. Be careful not to let go of your hair while French-braiding it, or it might undo and you may have to start over. 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. Now you know how to French braid your hair your own hair in five easy steps. Just make sure that you don't let go of the braid. 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. 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 wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. If you have any frizz or flyaways, use a little hairspray to keep them under control. Your hair will retain more moisture in a French braid. Then split the hair into three equal sections so you chunks on the left, in the middle, and on the right. Separate it into 3 equal parts and perform a braid. Red flags that you're dealing with a man-child. 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. What's The Difference Between a Dutch Braid and a French Braid? When you're finished, secure the end of the braid with a hair tie and let down your other section of hair. 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Using the end of a rat-tail comb, divide your hair down the center of your head. But the style isn't as effortless as it looks, especially if you're trying to French braid your own hair. Add on to your braid on both sides by picking up another little chunk of hair and then performing another braid. Shake the braid a bit from the tail to loosen the look and make your hair look thicker. Then, grab a 3-inch section of hair at the crown of your head and divide it into three equal pieces. If youd like to keep your braids dry, use a shower cap to prevent water from touching them. The section you start with has nothing to do with how big your braid will be. French braiding is actually aprotective hairstylethat keeps your hair in place and may help prevent damage, especially at night. 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. Once shes finished braiding down to the very end of her hair, she lays her edges and boomall set. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Tochterman breaks down the exact way to French braid below. If you are making a single braid, wrap it all the way around your head. ", time it failed, but the second time it was lot easier. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. How To French Braid Hair - Real Simple Oh, and did I mention the whole process doubles as an arm workout? Easy to explain, but how TF do you actually do it? Then take a two-inch section of hair from either side of your part, separate it into three equal pieces . Did You Hear "Did You Lotion" Growing Up? The outer pieces always cross over the inner one.). If this happens, you can hold your hair in place with one hand and let the other arm rest for a few seconds. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. You may even be able to dip your toe in some advanced techniques, like adding ribbons or trying your hand at the Dutch braid (essentially an inside-out French braid). If you opt for a wet look braid, Tochterman recommends a quarter size of RandCo Motorcycle Flexible Hold Gel. Hacks & Inspiration from Hair Experts at Unilever. She explains that dry hair. Try to keep the 3 sections equal in size to make the braid look more uniform. Meet Our Expert: Hannah Metz, hair and style expert with Hannah Elisabeth Beauty. If you'd like, you can tuck the ends of each braid under the opposite braid to create a hair "crown." Sign up to our newsletter and get exclusive hair care tips and tricks from the experts at All Things Hair. Nineties pick-and-drop braids walked so today's boho braids could run. Read more here - https://www.everydayhairinspiration.com/disclosure/ Finish your braid a couple of inches from the ends of your hair. Twist your ponytail until it's pulled tight. Separate hair at the crown of the head into three equal sections. "This was so helpful. Brush Hair: Smooth out any knots or tangles. This will help you achieve cleaner lines and contribute to the overall look of the braid. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. My technique: grab the original strand between index finger and curled middle finger. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Beautiful, with long, red-haired hairy girl, hairdresser weaves a French braid, close-up in a beauty salon. All About Wavy Perm for Long Hair and 10 Styles to Try this Season, 33 Flattering Haircuts and Hairstyles for Round Faces, 10 Auburn Hair with Blonde Highlights to Elevate Your Look, 13 Boho Box Braids and Twist Styles to Give You Wanderlust Vibes, 20 Shades of Brown Hair and How to Pick the Best for Your Skin Tone, Is Rice Water Good for Hair Growth? When it comes to using products to prep your hair for French braiding, Taylor tells me that less is more. If You've Never Heard of Knotless Braids, It's Time to Catch Up. Be sure to gently comb through any bumps to keep a sleek look. Your arms may get tired while braiding your hair. And they expand like classic elastic bands; however, each end has a hook to secure hair without pulling on it, making it beneficial to those with coarse or thick hair. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. This way you free up your left hand to repeat the same sectioning technique on the other side. Although its intricate weave may appear complicated, creating your own French braid is a simple process. 2022 Galvanized Media. Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with Keep your hands as close to your scalp as possible rather than braiding up in the air. Tie it off with a small, clear hair tie. Some of the links above are affiliate links (all affiliate links will be marked with a star*). Step Three: Braiding. Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Is it better to braid your hair wet or dry? For a single braid going down the back of your head, brush your hair backwards, away from your forehead. From here, all you need to do is take up more hair from the surrounding area, pulling it into the braid as you go. Now its time to learn how to French braid your hair! By using our site, you agree to our. Learn how to do a French braid yourself! - 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!) Create 3 equal sections from the portion of hair you just grabbed. If you left out bangs, style them as you usually would. Though it may look challenging, it will be second nature to you once you get your system down. If you have thicker hair, you may need to start with more hair in your 3 sections. Continue braiding so that every time you do a new cross, youre gathering slightly more hair. French braiding requires you to pay close attention to your rights and lefts, and a mirror can add confusion. How to Braid Your Hair: The Easiest Braids for Beginners, Learn How to Create, Style, and Care for Your Own Box Braids. 2. As you continue with the process of a standard braid, add in pieces of other hair, starting with the right side. Keep them separate. Now you know how to French braid your hair your own hair in five easy steps. 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. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. This type of French braid doesn't involve the entire head, so it's a lot easier and less time-consuming to create. Choose a tight clip or tie to hold the braid. Danielle James is a New York-based journalist who covers all things fashion, beauty, and celebrity. It is easier to braid if your hair is wet. Anyone whos ever rocked two French braids will agree when we say theyre pretty much the superwoman of hairstyles. French braids surprisingly have a lot of benefits. Grabbing larger sections may be easier for beginners and will take less time to complete. Regardless of your skill level, each of these how-tos will answer all your burning braiding questions so youll never again have to wonder, Wait, what the #^%* am I supposed to do with my fingers?! References Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Because these are GIFs and are step-by-step, you can re-watch the same step for as long as you need it. Cross the left section over the center section. When working in new sections, grab horizontal pieces from your hairline by your face and neck. 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. If you need help purchasing a product directly from Allure, go to our FAQ. You can braid your hair dry or damp. Last Updated: September 2, 2022 For tips from our Beauty reviewer on how to make an alternate French lace braid, keep reading! a spray bottle. While were all stuck at home and probably overdue for a haircut, now is the perfect time to learn. I watched about a dozen YouTube videos on how to do it, which you'd think would be a good way. 10 January 2020. Weave the sections of hair under and over each other, just as you would with a standard braid. YouTuber Rayann starts with stretched hair, then uses a detangling brush to smooth any knots before braiding. If your hair is frizzy, spritz a bit of no-frizz hair product on your hair. Tochterman breaks down the exact way to French braid below. Brush your hair in the general direction of where you want your braid to go. So I have made a video on how to french. 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. They're also a great protective style for natural hair, and suit all face shapes, to boot. Before you start braiding, you want to make sure there are no tangles in your hair. Take the right strand and cross it over to the middle. How To French Braid Your Hair in 6 Steps, Because This Is One Plait You [1] How to Fake a French Braid Along the Hairline. Then take the next strand by grabbing between curled index finger and thumb. And if you ever wanted to know the key to a sharp part, "the secret weapon is tracing the part with the African Pride Edge Styling Wax for shine and a detailed finish. Create a fuller braid with extensions: If you have short hair or simply want a longer, sexier braid, adding clip-in extensions can help give you more length and volume. Break this large chunk of hair into three equal-sized sections. I couldn't do any French braids before, and I can do them now. Youll be surprised at how powerful your sense of touch is. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. How to: French braid your own hair in two parts neatly - YouTube This lightweight oil works tohydrateyour strands while also keeping frizz at bay. ", I made a classic french braid. We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. 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 washed your hair within the past couple of days, use a texturizing product to add some grip. unlocking this staff-researched answer. In this tutorial, YouTuber Abby Smith shows you how to transfer all three sections in one hand to free up the other so you can easily grab your additional small sliver of hair. Tie off the end. Transfer both strands to your right hand. The first. Plus, once you get to the back of your head, you wont be able to see anyway. Continue adding more to your braid as you move down your head until you reach the nape of your neck. She explains that dry hair allows you to have more control of the separate strands when braiding, while wet hair is heavier and more prone to mixing into other pieces, which gets messy. Part slightly damp hair on the right side. If its easier to think of this without sides, think of having two outer pieces and one inner. Hold the right strand with your pinky, the middle strand with your middle finger, and the left strand between your index and thumb. Yes, you can shower with French braids. Avoid using rubber bands, as these rip and break hair when you remove them. starts here. The good news: You don't have to enlist the help of a talented friend or roommate to achieve the style. ", 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. Professional hair care and creating hairstyles. 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). Like I said, practice makes perfect, and the best part about learning this skill now is that if your braids dont turn out even or are a little bumpy, no one has to see but you. It was really helpful, thank, "This article really helped me. When you're done with the French braid, you can take the extra step of hiding the elastic tie if you want an all .