On a scale of one to ten, Id say French braids are a level four in difficulty, because while it is just a regular three-strand braid, adding hair from the scalp as you move along can take some practice, explains hairstylist Hailee Fortuin. ), Of course, if you want to add in extensions thats also an option.

Quickly brush out your hair to get rid of any knots, and then precisely create a part with a comb straight down the middle of your hair, from your forehead to your neck. hairromance fabulously sideway But boring, three-strand-been-there-done-that braids are getting tiring. After two passes, it's time to add in more hair. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The summer style everyone will be jealous of. Pull the bottom piece over the now-middle section, replacing its position. After shampooing and conditioning, you can add a curl cream or a leave-in spray to lock-in extra moisture. You may separate the face-framing pieces from the very beginning too; if your pigtails are tights, you will not be able to pull them without ruining the hairstyle. All of our experts agree that French braids are a great solution for second or third day hair; however curly girls may find more control braiding on slightly damp or wet hair. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. ),braids allow me (opens in new tab)to protect my style. This is a great braid for beginners because once the French braid is understood, it is easy to make variations, she adds. We never share Your data with 3rd parties. All rights reserved. (opens in new tab)Third, if there's a lot of humidity in the air or I'm about to work out (Gotcha! The side that you will do second should be clipped up and out of your way. Thats when you can release the middle strand that it left, getting a free hand to repeat the same process from another side. Step 4: When you have no more hair to feed in, finish by braiding a traditional three-strand braid. Clip the rest of your hair for it not to interfere while braiding. With each pass of the top and bottom sections, pull a piece of loose hair into the braid. Thus, use your thumb as a tail comb to separate an even chunk from the side to add it to your braid.

Now, it's time for the second side!

For thicker, fuller textures, Kamilah suggests starting with clean, dry hair. When you reach the nape and have no hair to add in, there is no need to hold your hand up anymore; bring it to the front and continue braiding a classic three-strand braid with the remaining hair. So, here is how you do this step by step: Step 1: Take a chunk of hair at the front of your head and separate it into three strands. Then, let loose the strand that was in the middle. Once upon a time, I was convinced that a side-braid was a good lookI rocked it so often, I can never go back. If you still dont know how to French braid your own hair, we are here to correct this wrong. Pull at your hair a bit to add volume; then, pin the end of your braid to the ponytail base. Step 2: Take the section that is closest to the side parting and separate it into three strands. All to say creating a sleek French braid is much less intimidating than it looks. Marie Claire is supported by its audience. Because long hair has evaded me for so long, braids often felt like something I did not have access to. For a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this look yourself, read on. Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox! We are safe. Then pull it to the sides to add volume and intended messiness. howcast We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. You may hold three strands keeping one strand between your index finger and a thumb, and the other two in your fist (let them lie in the loop between the index finger and a thumb and secure them by pressing a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger, or just one little finger if you find it more comfortable). Tatjana Freund is a Beauty Commerce Writer, covering makeup, skincare, and haircare products and trends. To give your style even more texture, spray it with some Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray and pull the braid out a little bit to get a grungy, effortless style., While we understand the desire for a snatched braidespecially on thicker, denser hairthe actual tension on your head should be pretty minimal. Hold your hands very close to your scalp to make the braid tight and even. After you make a front French braid, you can pin it under your hair, bring it up to the high ponytail, or pin it next to the low bun, as featured below. She's a fan of vodka tonics and creepy Wikipedia pages. Step 4: When you reach the nape of your head, gently pull at the sections to loosen the braid. Before you get to braiding, you're going to need these four items: a mirror, a comb, a brush, and hair elastics. Visit our corporate site. Do you know how hard it is for a beauty editor to pick a favorite? Learning how to French braid is like learning how to ride a bicycle: once you master this essential skill, you will easily use this pretty and practical hairstyle for any occasion. When you've successfully included all the loose hair into your braid, it's time to finish off the braid. Those who already know how to do French braids make the process seem super easy you just grab new hair at the sides and braid with it, they say. Whatever style you prefer, make sure this first chunk is directed diagonally from the beginning of your middle parting. Step 3: Continue braiding, adding new hair from the sides to the side strand before crossing it over. I never work out! England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Another mistake is to start the braid as a half-up, half-down hairstyle: you do not need to grab hair from the sides into the first chunk you separate. Most commonly seen in a double braided looktwo identical braids on the right and left side of the headDutch braids, also known as "reverse braids" or "reverse French braids," are quickly becoming the go-to summer look that's both easy achieve and attractive-looking.

Choose which side you feel like starting with first, and leave it down and ready to access. If you are a beginner, such a recommendation may drive you crazy, as it seems impossible to hold and grab new hair at the same time. Classification aside, most of us just want to know if it's easy. Keep on reading for tips. Another popular way to French braid on yourself is braiding a front French braid. Second, when I'm too lazy to curl my hair, I braid it so that I can havesome nice waves. Step 4: Braid close to your ear. casquette yifei multifunctional bandanas A single French braid is timeless; however, the latest trend is to keep it a bit loose, pulling at the sections while braiding. Please refresh the page and try again. French braid pigtails make a comeback now, with many celebrities embracing the hairstyle during the quarantine. To help, we are pairing five of our favorite tutorials with expert commentary to get your braiding skills plait perfect. Step 3: Continue braiding, moving to the side and adding new hair to the side strand before crossing it over into the middle. You can use it to hide the bangs or pull the hair away from your face. So now it's time to up the ante: Dutch braids. Timeless, sophisticated, chicnope Im not talking about an LBD, Im referring to the one, the only the French braid. Step 2: Take the front chunk of hair and separate it into three strands. For me, braids are useful in three categories: First, anice double braid (opens in new tab)looks cute by itself. Subscribe now and thank us later. Pro tips: You may start with a small section and have a pigtail braid that starts with the intervening of thin strands; or, take a bigger chunk (like we did), and the braid will look as if it actually starts at the top, not already at the front of your hair. And I prefer braiding on dry hair because if the client has naturally curly hair you can see what needs to be smoothed or brushed to make neater., Means also advises those with denser hair to make sure the sections are even so that you dont get a lopsided braid. Shes also a fan of using smoothing product like a serum to keep the hair sleek and together.. A post shared by justine marjan (@justinemarjan) (opens in new tab). Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will hear from us shortly. Warm up your biceps, and get ready to go. Grab this piece, separate into three sections, and follow this familiar rhythm: Pull the top piece of hair over the middle section, replacing its position. Step 5: Secure the braid with an elastic and pull at the sections if you want them to look looser and more voluminous. Let it rest in your fist while you grab an opposite side stand with your index finger. An ideal hair length for a French braid can vary but you want to make sure the hair is long enough to tuck under itself without popping out, explains Fortuin. When braiding short hair, you need to make sure you maintain enough tension so the braid doesnt fall out, adds Means. This is why you'll need a mirror. Then, cross them as in a classic braid once, placing the side strand over the middle one.

The fourth season of the Netflix hit welcomes back a familiarand belovedcharacter. The Netflix show is set in Californiabut filmed in Canada. Then, continue braiding a classic three-strand braid with the remaining hair. And while its a stretch to say it made a comeback since it one hundred percent never left, the braided style is popping up everywhere from your best friends wedding to the red carpet. For my clients with thin or fine hair, I tell them rough up the hair first, explains hairstylist Becca Means. Under-Eye Masks and Patches We're Obsessed With. Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. One of the more common questions about French braids is: how long does your hair need to be? No matter what your hair type is, we can help you to find the right hairstyles, Update your advertising tracking preferencesThe Right Hairstyles Copyright 2022. Step 6: Twist the ponytail into a bun and secure it with an elastic and bobby bins. Step 1: Make an even middle parting all across your head. Pull the loops to the sides and secure the end with an elastic. Whether you choose to wear double braids as a baldly cute hairstyle to work, the way to blend graying hair in transition, or a protective hairstyle to wear at home, it might be the best time to learn how to do French braid pigtails on yourself. We dont keep our hair secrets. Follow the video tutorial to learn how to make one, double and front French braid and read on for more hacks and visual guides: You must have heard the idea that you need greasy hair to be able to braid it. We spoke to a colorist for the lowdown on the best hair glosses for every hair type. ELLE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Here is a step-by-step tutorial that will help you create the hairstyle: Step 1: Separate about an inch of your hair from the side parting to the opposite ear. Heres why you can trust us. Clean hair is the best foundation for any style. It might feel more natural to braid forwards, closer to your chin, but we want these braids to lie flat against our head, meaning we need to aim backwards.

Then, gently brush and smooth the top layers so that they have no visible tease. If you plan a braided hairstyle for a special occasion, consider crimping your hair or getting some hair extensions to get a thick and voluminous French braid. You can give the appearance of a snatched braid by brushing down the roots and using a gel or hairspray for sleekness, explains Kamilah. The secret is to grasp your hair firmly and braid it tight even if you aim at a loose braided hairstyle.

Dont get discouraged practice makes perfect! Her arsenal of braiding must-haves are pretty minimal, think a rattail comb (to part), a gel (to slick down flyaways), a small rubber band or hair pins (to secure the ends) and finishing spray (for hold). French braids are one of the classics, explains natural hairstylist and braider, Kamilah (@MsHairandHumor). Some people commonly refer to it as the inverted braid or inside braid, which differs from a cornrow, or Dutch braid, because the criss-cross pattern of the braid is not visible. Wrap a hair elastic around the end of the hair to make sure it won't unravel. Did you like our guide? Step 5: Create a low ponytail out of the remaining hair. You do not need to hold the side strand, to which you will add new hair from the sides; you can let it fall and blend with the rest of your hair. Step 2: Cross them as in a classic braid once, placing the side strands over the middle one. After you learn how to French braid, making it tighter or looser wont be a problem.

Step 6: Repeat the same process to braid a similar French braid at the other side of your head. Pro tips: Hold your hands very close to your scalp for the braid to be even and not fall apart. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor.

There is some truth to it, as shampoo day hair is (hopefully) very soft and sleek and will slide from your hands while braiding. (Image credit: Courtesy/Masked and Answered/YouTube), The 'Virgin River' Season 4 Cast: New Faces and Old Favorites, The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices, The 17 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices of 2022, The 20 Best Products for Air Drying Your Hair, The 20 Best Hair Glosses and Glazes in 2022, The 25 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2022, According to Experts, The 20 Best Summer Nail Polish Colors for 2022, According to Pros, Zendaya Graced Us With a Glimpse of Her Long, Light Brown Hairdo, The 12 Best Lightweight Moisturizers, According to Marie Claire Editors, The 12 Best At-Home Waxing Kits for Smooth-as-Silk Skin, A post shared by justine marjan (@justinemarjan). Get hair style inspiration. Lets break down how to put your fingers to the best use: Train the process of placing strands from one hand to another and grabbing new hair from the sides several times. To cross the strands and place the side strand from one hand to another, let your index finger work as a hook to grab onto it and pull it to the center (you may bend the index finger to hold the stand or use three fingers and hold your strands as you would hold a pen). Style the front pieces to add a finished look to the hairstyle. The thing I love most about French braids are their versatilityespecially on various hair textures.

If your hair is fine and straight, tease your hair to get more volume at the roots: working in sections, insert the comb into your hair about an inch away from your scalp and push it down. You will receive a verification email shortly.

Resuming the familiar three-strand technique, continue passing one strand over the other until there is no hair left. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 15 Best Bikini Trimmers You'll Need This Summer, The Best Hair Ties For Every Hair Texture, The Best Hair Looks for Fall and Winter 2022, Stylist-Approved Flat Irons for Sleek Hair, The 13 Best Shower Caps to Save Every Style, 12 Reasons Why You Should Invest in Hair Bonnets, Best French-Braid Tutorial For Thin or Fine Hair, Best French-Braid Tutorial For Natural Hair, Best French-Braid Tutorial For Thick, Straight Hair, Best French-Braid Tutorial For Curly Hair, Best French-Braid Tutorial For Short Hair. Secure one part with an elastic or a clip: you will start working on it only after you finish braiding the first braid. If the hair is too short, your braid will not hold. (That's why super-short, choppy layers can be a challenge.

Keep your sections clean and hold each strand with your fingers for best results., Why I Chose to Marry a ZaddyAnd You Should, Too, How Stacey Abrams Changed Her Mind About Abortion, 26 Designer Deals at Nordstroms Anniversary Sale, All About J.Lo and Ben Affleck's 'Small' Wedding, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Basically, the inverted stitch makes the braid flatter.. "You definitely do not need a lot of tension for a braid to be secure.". Then, cross the side strands over to the middle as in a traditional braid. Experts break down how to air-dry your hair sans frizz.

40 Prettiest Dutch Braid Hairstyles to Style. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Please like and comment on our tutorial and subscribe to our channel! The first try to make a French braid may not be your best one the strands may fall loose and the unwanted loops near the nape may appear. However, you should not necessarily wait for hair to become greasy to French braid your own hair; just spray it with a hairspray or texture spray to make it more obedient. But as my hair slowly inches past my shoulders, I'm finding new ways to incorporate braids into my routine. Like a standard braid, start with a small section of hair right by your hairline. You've got time and hair, we've got dermatologist-vetted suggestions. Then, train to create the most popular French braid hairstyles we describe step-by-step below. There was a problem. It's critical to do this while pulling the braid in the direction of the back of your head, rather than forward by your eyes. Step 5: When you reach the tips, secure the braid with an elastic and pull at the lower sections to loosen them too.