To do double French braids, start by dividing your hair down the center of your head. Last Updated: October 21, 2021 If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. For tips from our Beauty reviewer on how to make an alternate French lace braid, keep reading! The length of the braid also determines where you will focus on applying product. To help you out, weve broken this process into seven simple stages to show you how to create two French braids like a pro! However, if youre loyal to your hair washing schedule, use dry shampoo, like Dove Refresh+Care Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo. Some of the links above are affiliate links (all affiliate links will be marked with a star*). I was just plaiting my hair wet to make. 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). ISince the final look isnt the braid, its okay if you have a few bumps and pieces sticking out. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Tips For French Braiding Your Own Hair: Step-By-Step. After each crossover, repeat, adding hair in from alternating sides. Before you start braiding, you want to make sure there are no tangles in your hair. Then split the hair into three equal sections so you chunks on the left, in the middle, and on the right. Each outer piece must be crossed over the inner piece once. You'll need to secure the braids in place with a few bobby pins. Tochterman breaks down the exact way to French braid below. All Rights Reserved. She is also the founder of Model Citizen, a sustainable fashion company that encourages peer-to-peer clothing sharing and supports emerging designers. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Clean, dry hair is best when you are putting it into French braids, Taylor says. Double French braids are a fun and cute hairstyle thats also very practical. If you want two French braids, split your hair in half and clip one side out of the way. This frees up your right hand to work with. 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. Cue minor freak-out. When French braiding your hair, keep the process of a standard braid and add chunks of hair to each outer section as you layer them over one another. Expert Interview. Some of the links above are affiliate links (all affiliate links will be marked with a star*). Before you start braiding, you need to prep your hair. Braid your hair in the mirror, so that you can see what you're doing. Leave about two inches of hair unbraided and secure with an elastic. 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. 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. Style your hair in two French braids, stopping at the nape of your neck. The Best Hair, Makeup, and Nails at the 2023 Grammy Awards. ", 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. In the morning, unravel the braids for really natural waves, no heat required. 8 Hairstyles for Growing Out a Pixie in 2023, How to Style Curtain Bangs With a Flat Iron | Step-by-Step. Approved. You can create two separate braids, or you can combine the braids at the bottom to make one big braid. Boho Braids Are TikTok's Favorite Protective Hairstyle. You can use that same styling wax or the edge control of your choice. Although its intricate weave may appear complicated, creating your own French braid is a simple process. Weather, workout and all-around life-proof, its a look that every woman should have up her sleeve. Brush through your hair to get all the tangles out and make it soft, smooth, and ready to braid. Finally, mist a little hairspray over the whole look for a more secure hold, or let it hang loose and free. This will help refresh your hair and provide it with some volume. If your hair is frizzy, spritz a bit of no-frizz hair product on your hair. From here, there are two options to finish the braid. f you still havent mastered the perfect French braids, practice at night before bed and wear them to sleep for beach waves in the morning. Take the right strand and cross it over to the middle. If you have thin hair, you'll need to pull in less. You can use the teeth of the comb or the tail of the comb if it has one. Many other tutorials get overly complicated and confuse me but this I understood. Once youve reached the nape of your neck, you should find that youve run out of extra hair to bring into your braid. A French braid is formal enough for any wedding theme. Tips: Avoid securing your braid with a rubber band. unlocking this expert answer. The model also addressed men profiting off her body. Keep a firm grip on hair as you work through the beginning of this process to prevent a loose-looking French braid. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Shake the braid a bit from the tail to loosen the look and make your hair look thicker. 5. Finish your braid a couple of inches from the ends of your hair. For natural hair, Groover recommends "smoothing and designing your edges." Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with Taking a piece of hair around 3-4 inches from just above your temples, divide it into three equal sections. You dont want to braid your hair when completely wet because it will keep your hair from fully drying. "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. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Love Cosmo? While were all stuck at home and probably overdue for a haircut, now is the perfect time to learn. Here is a step-by-step process along with tips for French braiding your own hair: Frizz can make braiding challenging, so you want your hair to be as smooth as possible before you get started. Twist your ponytail until it's pulled tight. After you secure your French braid with an elastic, gently pull apart each braid to fluff it out. If you have short layers, Metz suggests curling the end of your layers before you start the braiding process. Thanks! Make sure that you are pulling your hair tightly throughout the entire braiding process. And thats it, youve created your double French braids! Tochterman advises to grab a brush and bungee. As you prepare to repeat your braid, grab a small section of new hair from the area of hair you wish to include in your braid, and incorporate it into the next cross. 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. "Shorter braids require more product to prevent the braids from unraveling, [while] longer braids require more product on the ends to protect and prevent splitting," she states. Our content is for informational purposes only. The French braid is an excellent option for beginner braiders. 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. a headboard or backrest).You could also temporarily tie it with elastic and give your arms a rest. The . 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. When using a mirror, youre looking at a backward image. Repeat right side and left side until you run out of hair to add into the braid. Support wikiHow by Method 1 Creating 2 Separate Braids 1 Divide your hair down the center of your head. 03 of 35. Transfer both strands to your right hand. Nineties pick-and-drop braids walked so today's boho braids could run. "This was so helpful. 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. The important thing is that all new hair comes from the same side of the braid. You Probably Need a Haircut provides general information only. This will help you achieve cleaner lines and contribute to the overall look of the braid. % of people told us that this article helped them. "Large braids give a fuller look; small to medium braids are tighter and have less frizz," explains Groover. Use a detangling brush to remove all tangles in your hair. Braid the shaft of the hair down to the ends. Hold the right strand with your pinky, the middle strand with your middle finger, and the left strand between your index and thumb. Alternatively, you could create your new sections by joining the left and middle sections of your left braid, the right section of your left braid and the left section of your right braid, and the middle and right sections of your right braid. If we link to any product, you should assume that well receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. As you braid, your arms may get tired. Need some style inspo? Tochterman breaks down the exact way to French braid below. Marsai Martins Lengthy Goddess Box Braids Have the Perfect Curly Texture. Step 3: Transfer to Right Hand. Create 3 equal sections from the portion of hair you just grabbed. Be careful not to let go of your hair while French-braiding it, or it might undo and you may have to start over. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. 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. Cross the left piece over the center, then the right over the center. 10 January 2020. 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. My technique: grab the original strand between index finger and curled middle finger. Method 1 Classic 3-Strand Braid 1 Brush your hair so it's free of knots. However, smaller pieces typically look better in the end result. 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. After youve crossed one strip of hair over another strip of hair, youll transfer all the sections to the same fingers on the other hand to keep the flow going. Tuck it in: For a more refined look, tuck the end of your braid under to create a full-updo that's perfect for a hot summer day. 2022 Galvanized Media. Set yourself in front of a mirror, grab a brush and a comb, and learn this timeless hairstyle. Start at the crown of your head and grab a small chunk of hair. Editors tip: For a more textured look, we love using a light-hold hairspray like TRESemm Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray Texture Hold Level 1. This article was co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. Each time you cross one section over the other, grab a chunk of hair from the same side as the section. French braiding your hair before bed and sleeping on a silk pillowcase is a great technique to prevent tangles in the morning, among other benefits. With this stylist-approved easy step-by-step guide, even complete beginners will master the art of French braiding, whether a single strand or pigtails, in no time. "It takes practice, but I eventually got it (be sure to practice a lot!) Take the left strand and cross over to the middle. Now you know how to French braid your hair your own hair in five easy steps. Start by taking a section about 2 inches wide from the front hairline. What's The Difference Between a Dutch Braid and a French Braid? 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. 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. If your hair thins out toward the bottom, combine the two tails for one big three-strand braid so the waves at the ends of your hair dont get too tight and crimped-looking. Promise. Taylor explains that the thicker the sectioning, the thicker and easier the braid will be. When you hold back your hair with a loose French braid, you will spread the weight of your hair across more of your scalp. Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. ", I made a classic french braid. How To French Braid Your Own Hair Step By Step - Hair For Beginners | EverydayHairInspiration EverydayHairInspiration 294K subscribers Subscribe 12K Share 1.1M views 6 years ago. Why Trust Us? Once you reach the nape of your neck, you should encompass all of your hair into the French braid. 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?! All rights reserved. Let layers in front of your ears fall out of the braid on their own, says Hawkins. 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.) So things are going well until those pesky layers start sticking out from every direction? We suggest practicing while youre watching your favorite movie or TV show to get plenty of practice. Behold: the best tutorials youll ever watch. Now repeat on the other half of your hair and secure your two French braids in place each with a hair tie. However, don't let this discourage you no need to wait 'til your next hair appointment to ask your hairstylist to hook you up. 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. For example, you may want to tie off your braid just below the nape of your neck, depending on how long your hair is. ", http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/hair/tools-techniques/french-braid-hair, http://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair-ideas/french-braids-0608, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/hair-mistakes_n_3790579.html, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh8MTdgIDaA&t=1m38s, http://www.hairromance.com/2013/02/lace-braid-hairstyle-tutorial.html, http://www.twistmepretty.com/2014/05/learn-your-4-basic-braids.html. If you place heat on your hair, don't forget to shield your hair with a heat protectant. When you're done with the French braid, you can take the extra step of hiding the elastic tie if you want an all . Using three fingers, separate the larger section into three smaller but equal pieces. Add bobby pins along both braids, making sure they feel tight and secure on the rest of your hair. Start with your section of hair. Then cross the right section over the center section. French braiding is actually a. that keeps your hair in place and may help prevent damage, especially at night. Separate hair at the crown of the head into three equal sections. Luckily, we will give you plenty of tips for French braiding your own hair so you can start styling it. I love the simple step-by-step instructions and videos! Finally, secure the braid and enjoy! For fine to medium hair, after you brush, Tochterman advises the following: first, taking a section of hair from the forehead to the back of the head. (We promise it's easier than it seems). Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Whether you choose big or small chunks to weave in, do your best to grab the same size each time for a consistent look. 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. If you opt for a wet look braid, Tochterman recommends a quarter size of RandCo Motorcycle Flexible Hold Gel. Yes, you can shower with French braids. There are a few secrets to crafting the perfect French braid. How much new hair you grab each time doesn't matter, but the less hair you grab, the more intricate the braid will look. Separate your section into 3 equal strands. 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. .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! This Chemical Peel Majorly Healed My Hormonal Acne, I Tried the New Long-Lasting Botox Alternative (!). Practice makes perfect, and the best way to get good at French braiding your own hair is to do it over and over again. If its easier to think of this without sides, think of having two outer pieces and one inner. You may need to rest your arms sometimes while you braid. BriAnne Wills. Enjoy! Love the look of a French braid but not sure how create the hairstyle yourself? 6. When it comes to using products to prep your hair for French braiding, Taylor tells me that less is more. If you are making a single braid, wrap it all the way around your head. If you have any frizz or flyaways, use a little hairspray to keep them under control. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Plus, two French braids are an easy style to master and theyre not nearly as intricate as they look. In that case. If you French braid your hair wet, you will have wavy hair once you take it out. Vote for your favorite beauty products now. Sign up to our newsletter and get exclusive hair care tips and tricks from the experts at All Things Hair. Practice on the side of your head, where you can see your fingers, or on someone else! Finish with a quick spritz of medium-hold hair spray like Ouai's Texturizing Hair Spray ($28). wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. All you need is a few helpful tips for French braiding your own hair to get started. The outer pieces always cross over the inner one.). You will likely run out of hair near the ear on the other side of your head. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Begin just as you would start a regular braid: by crossing the right piece over the middle, then doing the same thing with the left. 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. Cross the middle section over the front outside section. Check out how to master these two French braids. If you washed your hair within the past couple of days, use a texturizing product to add some grip. To do a fishtail braid, divide your hair into 2 sections and bring one strand of hair over one section and into the other. Once you remove it, you risk damaging or pulling out chunks of hair. 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. Break this large chunk of hair into three equal-sized sections. The Duchess of York casts "no judgment" toward her nephew. ", time it had details and it really taught me to do a french braid. French braids don't have to be confusing. Because these are GIFs and are step-by-step, you can re-watch the same step for as long as you need it. 3. If you left out bangs, style them as you usually would. Separate it into 3 equal parts and perform a braid. retailers. % of people told us that this article helped them. This spray helps keep your style in check all day and tames any wayward frizz. [1] Keeping your hair in braids can reduce friction on your pillow while you sleep, helping to prevent breakage. 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. to learn, but it wasn't. Ndeye Anta Niang. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/French-Braid-Step-1-Version-23.jpg\/v4-460px-French-Braid-Step-1-Version-23.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/French-Braid-Step-1-Version-23.jpg\/aid22372-v4-728px-French-Braid-Step-1-Version-23.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"