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French braiding takes some practice, but can be mastered if you take the time to learn. It's only a little bit more complex than a regular braid. How to French braid hair will show you how you can create this sophisticated braid and use the basics of French braiding to make more elaborate hairstyles.
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French Braiding Tips
- Practice on someone else before trying to French braid your own hair.
- Make sure all layers of the hair are at least shoulder-length.
- If braiding your own hair, use two mirrors so you can see the back of your head.
- Add the same amount of hair into the braid each time.
- Pull hair evenly to keep the braid straight.
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What You'll Need
- Wide-tooth Comb with a Rat-tail
- Two Mirrors
- Ponytail Holder
- Hairspray
- Hair Dryer (optional)
- Aloe Vera Gel (optional)
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Step 1: Prepare to Braid
- If you take the time to prepare the hair properly, you'll end up with better results. Here's a few ways to prep your hair.
- To be able to French braid hair, the shortest layers must be at least shoulder-length.Updo Princess: How to french braid hair
- It might help if you work with wet hair.The SouthtownStar: How to French-braid hair (March 3, 2008)
- -Let the hair dry for 30 minutes to an hour before you start to braid.Buzzle.com: How to Braid Hair
- Blow dry curly or wavy hair so that it's straight and easier to work with.Buzzle.com: How to Braid Hair
- Your wrists and fingers should be free of jewelry, and your fingernails should be smooth.LongLocks.com: Hair Braiding Basics
- Try applying aloe vera gel to help keep hair in place.Dreamweaver Braiding: Making Smooth Braids
- Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle and smooth hair.LongLocks.com: Hair Braiding Basics
Step 2: Braid the Back of the Head
- There are two parts to a French braid: the braid that runs along the back of the head and the braid that hangs down the back. The first part is a bit trickier, but if you already know how to braid you should be able to get the hang of it.
- If possible, stand in front of a mirror when braiding your own hair, and place another mirror behind you so that you can see the back of your head.LongLocks.com: Hair Braiding Basics
- Comb the hair straight back from the top of the head.How to Do Things.com: How to French Braid Your Hair
- -If you want some loose, wispy strands in the front, arrange them during this step.How to Do Things.com: How to French Braid Your Hair
- Take a two-inch section of hair from the top of your head and divide it into three sections.Seventeen.com: French Braids - How to French Braid Hair
- Comb each section until it lies flat.LoveToKnow: How to French Braid
- Hold the right section in your right hand and the remaining two sections in your left hand, making sure to keep the sections separated.ViewDo: How to French Braid (Time: 4:08)
- Fold the left strand over the middle strand so that the left is now the middle strand.
- Tighten the braid by pulling the hair sections away from each other.Cosmo Girl: How to French Braid
- Fold the right strand over the middle strand so that it's now the middle strand.
- Tighten the hair again.
- Take a small section of hair from the left hairline by drawing a line against the scalp using a rat-tail comb.Expert Village: How to French Braid Hair (Time: 1:20)
- Run your fingers through this new section in order to get it to lie flat.How to Do Things.com: How to French Braid Your Hair
- Combine this new section of hair with the strand already on the left.ViewDo: How to French Braid (Time: 4:08)
- -You can control how loose or tight the weave is during this step. For a tighter weave, combine the strands further up towards the scalp.LongLocks.com: Hair Braiding Basics
- Fold the left strand over the middle strand and tighten the braid.
- Repeat steps 9-12 on the right side, and then again on the left. Try to add about the same amount of hair in each new strand.Updo Princess: How to french braid hair
- Keep braiding until you reach the bottom of the hairline.The SouthtownStar: How to French-braid hair
Step 3: Braid the Rest of the Hair
- From this point on, you're just creating a regular braid.
- Gently comb remaining hair smooth.Howcast: How to Braid Hair (Time: 3:08)
- Separate the loose hair into three equal sections.
- If you ended the French braid by folding over the left strand, start the regular braid by folding the right strand over the middle.Seventeen.com: French Braids - How to French Braid Hair
- Comb the remaining hair while you braid and keep the strands separate.Dreamweaver Braiding: Making Smooth Braids
- Alternate crossing right and left sections.Howcast: How to Braid Hair (Time: 3:08)
- Again, after each fold, tighten the braid gently.Dreamweaver Braiding: Making Smooth Braids Be sure to pull hair evenly to keep the braid straight.Buzzle.com: How to Braid Hair
- When you're almost out of hair, wrap a hairband around the end to secure.How to Do Things.com How to Braid Hair If you like, you can also add a ribbon or barrette.Buzzle.com: How to Braid Hair
- Spray the hair with hairspray to finish.Seventeen.com: French Braids - How to French Braid Hair
Tips and Tricks
- Practice on someone else before trying to French braid your own hair.suite101.com: French Braids: How to Give Your Hair Elegant Style
- Slow and steady wins. If you make a mistake, remember that you can always just try again.Dreamweaver Braiding: Making Smooth Braids
- If your arms begin to ache, just use a clip to secure the braid while you give yourself a rest.LoveToKnow: How to French Braid
Variations
- As with a regular braid, there are many ways that you can use French braiding to create unique hairstyles.
- If you prefer, you can skip step three and end the braid with a regular ponytail by securing the hair at the top of your neck with an elastic or barrette.How to Do Things.com: How to French Braid Your Hair
- French braid a section on each side of your head and then join the two sections together with a hair elastic.Seventeen.com: French Braids - How to French Braid Hair Leave the rest of your hair free.
- -You can create French braid pigtails by continuing to braid both sides and using two hair elastics.Seventeen.com: French Braids - How to French Braid Hair
- Use a curling iron to create some loose curls, and then French braid a small section that goes down along one side of your head towards the back of your neck.LoveToKnow: How to French Braid
- The Dutch Braid is closely related to the French Braid. Instead of folding each strand over the middle one, fold it under.Expert Village: How to Dutch Braid (Time: 4:26)
- Expert Village: How to Dutch Braid (Time: 4:26)
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