How to French Braid
A beautiful and classic hairstyle, the French braid is a little challenging to learn at first. However, if you follow these steps carefully and patiently, you’ll soon know how to braid your own hair, or someone else’s.
Steps
Learn how do the basic hair braid if you do not know how already. (Note that basic braiding is referred to as plaiting as well.) This is simply the act of dividing medium to long hair into three separate lengths and weaving each section over and under the other until the hair is plaited. A basic braid can be started from the base of the neck, mid-head, or from the top of the head, depending on your preference. A French braid will always be made from the top or mid parts of the head.
Brush or comb the hair thoroughly. Remove any knots or tangles using a wide-toothed comb or favorite brush. Comb out each part, combing the hair straight.
Separate a section of hair from the rest of the hair at the point of your head where you want to begin the braid.
* It’s a good idea to imagine making your hair section V-shaped, with the point of the V going towards the back of your head.
* You can vary the location and starting placement of your braid. For example, you can choose to start lower on the head with a section that includes all the hair above your ears. While this will make it easier (less braiding to do), it will result in a thick (rather than an intricate) braid.
Separate the section of hair into three smaller, even strands.
Separate the section of hair into three smaller, even strands. Be sure that the strands are completely separated all the way to the ends.
* One way to separate the hair into three strands is to hold the section of hair in one hand and use the index and middle fingers of the other hand to separate it into three strands, as shown. Note that, while this article provides some suggestions, you may find your very own variations that work more comfortably for you, or create more desirable results. With practice, you’ll get the feel for it.
Cross the rightmost held strand over the middle strand.
* If you’re French braiding your own hair, your finger placement will depend on the size of your hands, the length of your fingers, and the thickness of your hair.
* Hold the leftmost strand with your left pinkie while moving the rightmost strand from your right hand to your left. Shift the new rightmost strand (used to be the middle strand) from your right hand to your left.
Add some hair from the right side of the head to the rightmost strand.
Add some hair from the right side of the head to the rightmost strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head and add it to the new rightmost strand.
Cross the leftmost strand over the middle strand.
Cross the leftmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the rightmost strand with your right pinkie, then rotate your left hand so that you can grasp the leftmost strand in your right hand. Shift the new leftmost strand to your right hand.
Add hair from the left side of the head to the new leftmost strand.
Add hair from the left side of the head to the new leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand.
Cross the rightmost strand over the middle strand.
Cross the rightmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the leftmost strand with the left pinkie, then rotate your right hand so that you can grasp the rightmost strand in your left hand. Shift the new rightmost strand to your left hand.
Add some hair from the right side of the head to the rightmost strand.
Add some hair from the right side of the head to the rightmost strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head, adding it to the rightmost strand currently held in your left hand.
Cross the leftmost strand over the middle strand.
Cross the leftmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the rightmost strand with your right pinkie, then rotate your left hand so that you can grasp the leftmost strand in your right hand. Shift the new leftmost strand from your left to right hand.
Add some hair from the left side of the head to the leftmost strand.
Add some hair from the left side of the head to the leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand in your right hand.
* Continue braiding. Cross the rightmost strand over the middle, add hair to new rightmost strand, cross the leftmost strand over the middle, add hair to new leftmost strand, and repeat until there is no more hair to add.
Braid the rest of your hair normally as far down as you can reach.
Braid the rest of your hair normally as far down as you can reach. If you have longer hair, bring the braid forward over your shoulder and braid in the opposite direction (instead of folding the strands towards you, you will be folding them away from you).
Tie off or clip the end of the braid.
For a trendy chic look try braiding some ribbon through you hair, or see equip.com for some cute hair bows and accessories like headbands or cute ponytails!!
The French Plait or Braid
There are many variations of French braiding or plaiting, like the whole head plait straight down the centre of the head, placing the braid to one side or both and partial head French braids as in the images below. The difference between this type of plait and the simple three-strand plait is that you are constantly picking up more hair and adding it to the French plait (or ‘braid’). To create another hair style plait variation you can reverse the directions below and have an ‘inside out’ braid. You will need plenty of practice as with any hair plaiting it gets easier and faster as you do, if you are planning to do this to your own hair a few muscles should be gained so that you can hold your arms up for the time needed)!
ideo de cortes de cabelo
A side French braid can be glamourous or for school! This hair style from Paloma Garcia
Rebecca Woloszek has used a French braid here to hold back mass curls in this hair style
Rebecca Woloszek a French braid used to hold back masses of curls in this hair style
Joharn Cuthbert combines a French braid with a top knot for this hair style
Joharn Cuthbert combines a French braid with a top knot for this hair style
Tools and other items you will need:
* Covered elastic bands
* Paddle or similar brush to remove tangles
* A little hair spray
* A clip to keep hair not being plaited out of the way
* Possibly a few pins or grips or odd pin if you have layers to secure any stray bits!
Simple French Braid
This is a single braid that follows the curve of the back of the head. Your hair needs to be quite long for this, a few layers won’t matter as long as they reach from the side of the head to the centre back and pass it by about 10cm. You will need to know how to do a basic plait to understand the instructions. If you need some help with this first then return to simple plaiting.
Method:
1. Separate the front (including sides) of your hair from the back. Some people prefer to separate the top leaving only the sides to be added in later but this is a little more difficult. Draw the separated hair back to the crown of your head and divide it into 3 equal strands.
2. Do a quick left over center, right over centre (as in the simple plait) to start.
3. As you continue, add extra hair taken from directly underneath each new section about to be crossed over. Then go ahead and cross it over. The amount of hair you pick up should be about the same each time.
4. Your braid will naturally follow the curve of the head as you pick up and include the new hair. Keep going until you reach the nape and all of your hair has been included.
5. Finish with a simple plait and secure with your covered band when you reach the ends of your hair .
Tips:
* Don’t try to make the braid too neat to begin with, master the technique then improve on the neatness.
* Try to keep your tension and section size the same when working on neatness.
* Use your little finger to section, this will allow you to hold the rest of the hair firmly whilst picking up the new hair.
* For a variation, you can finish the braid just above the nape and turn it under to form a roll that can be pinned in place.
Side French Plaits (as shown in image at top of page).
Method:
1. Find your normal parting or create a straight down the middle parting (if you have any shorter pieces of hair that may not reach the center back if parted to either side).
2. From the crown to the nape separate your hair into two halves.
3. Clip one side out of the way and begin to plait the other.
4. Divide this side into three sections at the front hair line and plait it as you would for a normal French plait (see above).
5. When you get as far as the nape, remove the clip from the other side and use it to hold the plait in place whilst you do the second side.
6. Once you have both sides plaited as far as the nape, combine the hair and plait as you would for a simple plait until you reach the ends. Secure with a band.
7. If your hair is shorter, then secure with the band at the nape and tuck it under itself, holding it in place with a few pins.
How to Do a French Plait
Braided hairstyles have become again very popular due to the gorgeous and stylish look it helps build. There are a variety of braid styles but the French plait seems to be one of women’s favorite. Learn how you can French plait your own hair so you can look stylish in no time.
A French braid or plait is a popular hairstyle and received the name because it was invented in France. There are several ways to style a French braid depending on the hairstyle you want to obtain. You can French braid:
# the whole head in a single plait in order to achieve one single braid from the top center of the head downwards. This is the most common French plait
# one side of the head and the rest of the hair left loose or pulled up in a pony
# both sides of the head and join the two braids in the back of the head
In order to be able to style a French plait you need to have medium to long hair. The technique is relatively easy but you will need a little bit of practice before you will be able to style the French plait neatly and evenly.
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