Braiding your own hair can be a little tricky, but with a bit of patience and practice you can learn how to create beautiful French braids for yourself. French braids are an elegant and classic look that can be used for dressing up or wearing casually. Whether you’re learning to do a French braid for the first time or just want to brush up on your technique, this guide will help you learn the basics of French braiding.
Gather Your Supplies
Gather all the supplies you need before you start. You’ll need a comb, elastics, and a few hair clips or pins. You want to make sure you have everything you need before you start so you don’t have to stop in the middle of the process. Once you have all your supplies, you can start prepping your hair for the braid.
Prep Your Hair
Start by brushing your hair with a comb or brush to make sure it’s free of tangles. Part your hair to whichever side you prefer and then use the comb to separate a section at the front of your head. The section should be about three inches wide, starting from your forehead and running down to the nape of your neck. Clip the rest of your hair away so it’s out of the way.
Split The Hair Into Three Sections
Take the section of hair you’ve separated and split it into three equal sections. Make sure the sections are even and the part is in the center. Your three sections should be held together in one hand. Hold the sections a few inches away from your head so you can braid the hair without the strands getting tangled.
Start Braiding
Start by taking the left section and crossing it over the center section. Now take the right section and cross it over the new center section. You’ve now completed your first stitch and you’re ready to start the French braid. Continue to do this, alternating between the left and right sections, until you reach the nape of your neck.
Adding Hair To The Braid
As you continue to braid, you’ll want to add more hair to the sections as you go. Take small sections of hair from the side of your head and add it to the left and right sections before you cross them over the center. Make sure you’re adding the same amount of hair to each side so the braid stays even. You can also add extensions for a longer and fuller look.
Finish The Braid
Once you reach the nape of your neck, stop adding hair to the braid and continue to braid down the length of your hair. When you get to the end, secure the braid with an elastic and gently tug on the sides of the braid to make it look fuller. You can also wrap a few strands of hair around the elastic to hide it.
Style And Secure The Braid
To give the braid a more finished look, gently tug on the sides of the braid to loosen the look. You can also use bobby pins to secure any stray strands of hair. If you want to add a bit of texture to the braid, try using a bit of hairspray or texturizing spray. Finally, you can accessorize your braid with a ribbon, scarf, or other accessory.
Conclusion
Braiding your own hair can be intimidating, but with a bit of practice and patience you can learn how to French braid on yourself. Start by gathering your supplies and then prepping your hair. From there, you can split your hair into three sections and start braiding. As you braid, make sure to add hair to the sections and finish the braid with an elastic. Finally, style and secure your braid with pins and accessories. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create beautiful French braids for yourself in no time.