How to Braid Hair
Learning how to braid hair can be challenging at first, but it’ll pay off with a little patience and adhering to the instructions detailed in this article. Whether you’re looking to master the art of English braids, French braids, Dutch braids, fishtail braids, or dreadlocks, we have detailed instructions on how to make your hair look its best.
Braiding Materials
Before you get started, you will need to make sure you have the following braiding materials on hand:
- Wide-tooth comb
- Rat tail comb (for fishtail or French braid)
- Fine-tooth comb
- Ponytail holder
- Spray bottle
- Styling crème or gel
- Finishing spray
- Stationary mirror
- Adjustable mirror
- Rubber bands (for dreadlocks)
Basic Braiding Tips
No matter which style you’re going for, these basic braiding tips will help make the experience a more pleasant one.
- Braiding damp hair can make things easier for those with wavy or curly hair.
- Be careful not to get your hair too damp while braiding. Otherwise, it will take a long time to dry.
- For those with fine hair or hair of different lengths, you might consider applying a bit of gel or styling cream before beginning the braiding process. Afterwards, a finishing spray can be used to prevent stray hairs from springing up.
- In addition to a stationary mirror, it’s a good idea to set up an adjustable mirror at an angle where you can see the back of your head. Trying to hold the mirror in your hand while braiding can make the process more difficult than it needs to be.
- Fingernails should be filed smoothly to prevent catching them on a braided section and undoing your work.
- Remove any jewelry which might snag on braided hair and undo your work.
- Make sure that hair is smooth and tangle free before starting the braiding process. Begin with the wide-tooth comb and run it through the hair until it encounters no resistance. Then switch to the fine-tooth comb and work on smaller sections of hair.
- Another tip on how to braid hair involves combing long hair occasionally during the braiding process. This will ensure that it remains smooth. This also applies to the ends of the sections that have already been braided.
English Braids
This section provides step-by-step instructions on how to create English braids. This is the most basic style of braid.
- Make sure that hair is completely free of knots and tangles.
- Your hair should be divided evenly into three sections. Once again, make sure hair is smooth and tangle-free.
- The right section should now be crossed over the middle section. The section that was originally known as the right section now becomes the middle section.
- To make sure that the plait is tightened, pull all sections away from each other.
- The left section should now be crossed over the middle section. The section that was originally known as the left section now becomes the middle section.
- Once again tighten the plait by pulling the sections away from one another.
- This process should be continued by switching between the right and left sections, always making sure to tighten each plait as you go.
- When the length of your hair has been braided, the end can be secured with the ponytail holder listed in the Braiding Materials section.
If you encounter difficulty, try placing three pieces of string or rope on a table to practice the proper motions. When you start getting the hang of how to braid hair, you can increase your speed by holding all the sections. This will also serve to create more uniform plaits.
Fishtail Braids
If you want to create an impressive braid consisting of two strands, then follow these step-by-step instructions on how to make fishtail braids (also known as Herringbone braids).- Make sure your hair is smooth and free of tangles and knots.
- Identify the section of hair where you want the braid to begin. In most cases, this will either be right behind your bangs or the hairline at the front of your head. Divide this area into two even sections.
- Once again comb these sections to remove any knots or tangles.
- Begin the braiding process by crossing the right hand section over the left hand section.
- To tighten the plait, pull the sections away from each other.
- This step requires the use of a rat tail comb. Lift a section of hair from the right side. Do this by measuring against the scalp from the hairline to the center of the braid about ½ to one inch beneath the first plait. The more strands of hair that are includes, the more woven the finished product will look.
- Take this new section and add it to the right section. Then cross them over the left section. As always, finish by tightening the plait.
- Repeat step #6, but this time with a section of hair from the left side. Add this to the left section, and then cross it over the right section.
- Alternate from right to left, tightening the plaits as you go. This should continue until you reach the hairline at the back of your neck.
- The remaining hair can be woven into an English braid, secured in a ponytail holder, or secured with a hair tie.
To try underbraiding when doing fishtail braids, cross the sections under each other instead of over.
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks are popular among the younger crowd, reggae musicians, and many professional athletes. If you’re looking for a distinctive hairstyle, why not give them a try? It should be noted that dreadlocks are difficult to do own your own, so it’s wise to enlist the help of a friend or two (especially if your hair is very long).
- In order to make proper dreadlocks, you’ll need to have at least three inches of hair to work with. If your hair is currently short, you’re going to need to wait while it grows to an appropriate length.
- Before you begin, make sure that your hair is dry and clean. Despite rumors to the contrary, greasy or dirty hair does not help in the dreading process. Your hair should also be smooth and free from knots and tangles.
- Hair should then be divided into sections. Begin with the underside of your hair and work forward. The larger the sections of hair, the larger the dreadlocks will be. Most dreads range in size from ½ inch to one inch. Thicker dreadlocks are easier to maintain in the long run, as they quickly become more compact. Place a rubber band around each section to keep it separated.
- Select a section of hair to tease or backcomb. Before you start, remove the rubber band from this section. Begin at the root and work your way down. Do this several times to make sure the knot is good and tight. Once the area looks like a dreadlock, move on to another section.
- Once you’ve finished this step with each section, you should have a full head of dreadlocks. When done, be sure to twist and play with your dreads in order to help them get settled and becomes more compact.
French Braids
To create beautiful French braids, just follow these instruction. More advanced than English braids, the effect is also more impressive and serves as a sign that you’re mastering the art of how to braid hair.
- Make sure hair is smooth and tangle free.
- Select where you want the braid to start and divide this area into three sections. Most French braids begin at the crown of the head.
- Comb the hair to make sure all knots and tangles have been removed.
- The right hand area is crossed over the section in the middle. This right section is now considered the middle section.
- Tighten the plait by pulling the sections away from each other.
- The left section is now crossed over the middle section. The left section is now considered the middle section. As always, tighten the plait by pulling the sections away from one another.
- This step requires the pointed end of a rat tail comb. Use it to lift a small section from the right side by drawing a line against the scalp from the hairline to the center of the braid. This should be ½ to one inch beneath the initial plait.
- Add this new area of hair to the right section and then cross it over the middle. Make sure to tighten the plait.
- Repeat step #7, but do it to the left side. Add this area to the left section and cross it over the middle. Tighten the plait.
- Repeat these steps, alternating between the right and left sections. Continue until you’ve reached the hairline, then either tie into an English braid or secure with a ponytail holder.
Dutch Braids
Dutch braids are also known as inverted braids or underbraids. When complete, they look like a braided rope that sits on top of your head. To create them, follow the same steps as those for the French braid. But instead of crossing hair over the middle section, you cross it under. This is why they’re referred to as underbraids.
The steps listed above should get you started on how to braid hair. Once you’ve mastered the basic English and French braids, you can always practice with more advanced techniques. Just remember to follow the instructions step by step, stay patient, and be willing to learn from your mistakes. Before long, you’ll be wowing friends and members of the opposite sex with your elegant new hairstyles.