French braids may look complicated, but you don’t need to be an experienced hair stylist to create them on your own. All it takes are some supplies and practice!
An assistant or child can also help to give you practice. By practicing on someone, you’ll gain an understanding of the rhythmic braiding movement as well as finger dexterity.
How to French Braid Your Hair
All those who know how to French braid make it seem effortless, but it requires practice and can be particularly tricky for those of us with shorter locks.
To master The Fix 25, the key to getting its technique is hand positioning. Your goal should be to hold all three strands with one hand, so adding new hair from various directions will be easier.
Assuming you’re working on the right side of your head, grab a small section from behind your ear and add it to the unifying strand on the right. Cross this over the middle strand before braiding. As soon as your strands reach the bottom, add new ones from both sides before crossing them over until all have been added – then continue with your classic three-strand braid; your final product should be tighter and fuller!
The Basics
Once you get the hang of it, French braiding can be straightforward. First, brush your hair until it is free from tangles and frizz; for added control during braiding, try applying anti-frizz products like No Frizz Spray to keep frizzy locks under control.
Divide your hair into three equal sections, and take a small selection from the top of your head and cross it over the middle section. Continue adding pieces from both sides each time you cross another area.
Beginning French braiding may feel daunting at first. Practice will eventually make perfect! A doll or patient friend is ideal, though dry hair works just as well for practice if no one is nearby. Soon, you’ll become an expert French-braiding pro!
The Crossover
Once you’ve mastered the basic three-strand braid, it’s time to step it up a notch! Although more complex, this step will look stunning while protecting your locks while doing other activities (e.g., running errands).
Brush and separate your hair into an even section that runs from temple to nape of the neck, with one section curving from temple to nape. Take two-inch areas from this front section, grab them close to your scalp, and weave them into a French braid close to your scalp for your French braid.
Do the same with another section on your other side, and continue alternating between sides until nearing the end. Pull all braid stops together into a low ponytail, secure with an elastic band or bobby pins as needed, and enjoy adding volume and glamour to your look! This technique adds extra volume and glamour!
The Side Braid
French braids have always been an alluring look, as they’re an effective way to add volume and texture to your style without adding length.
Add a dash of texturizing spray to the roots before beginning your side braid for added visual impact and an unconventional yet tidy appearance. This will give your braid an extra dimension.
Once your side braid has reached completion and there is no more hair to add, tie it off with a clear hair tie before repeating this process on the other side.
Before beginning, detangle your hair using a brush and add any necessary no-frizz products (if needed). It may help if you practice without looking in a mirror. This can add another level of confusion when trying to identify right and left strands; focus on feeling what your fingers feel rather than looking into a mirror for best results.
