The French braid is a beautiful and classic hairstyle. Although the braid looks complicated, the process of making your own French braid is actually simple. Once you've mastered the basics of traditional braids, try making a classic French braid or a French rope braid yourself.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making Classic French Braids
Step 1. Prepare your hair
Comb your hair to untangle the frizz and leave it smooth, soft, and ready to braid. To create a single braid that goes down the back of your head, brush your hair back away from your forehead.
- If you want a sideways braid or want to do more than one braid, divide your hair and comb it through.
- You can braid it when your hair is dry or wet. However, braiding wet hair will create beautiful soft waves when you remove the braid later.
Step 2. Start making divisions in your hair
Start by gathering a large amount of hair from the center of the top of the head. This section of hair should be 7.5–10 cm wide and growing from the same “hairline”, not higher or lower.
- If you have bangs, you can tuck them into the braid or leave them loose. Choose the best according to you. Start the braid from the very top and center of your head, just above your forehead.
- The start of the braid doesn't tell you how big your braid will be. If you start small, the size of the braid will gradually increase as the amount of hair added to the process increases.
Step 3. Separate the section into three small sections
To make a French braid, just like making a regular braid, you will need three strands of hair. Run your fingers through the section of hair you're holding and separate the section into 3 equal strands of hair. Make sure that no bundle of hair is larger or smaller than any other bundle.
Step 4. Start making a regular braid
First of all, you need to get your hands in the right position: hold two strands of hair in one hand, and the third in the other. Start making a regular braid by crossing the strands of hair on the "right" toward the center. Then, cross the strands of hair on the "left" to the center. Repeat until you've made several rows of regular braids.
Step 5. Add some more hair
Continue making this regular braid pattern, including some of the hair underneath. Before crossing the strands to the middle, take some hair from the sides of your head and add them to the strands to be crossed.
- Each time you're going to cross one strand of hair, include a small amount of another. The amount of hair you include doesn't matter, but the less hair you include, the more detailed your braid will look.
- Pick up a bunch of hair from the front near your face and neck for the ultimate French braid look. If you only pick up a bunch of hair from the center (near the braided bundle), it will eventually be covered in the braid on the outside.
Step 6. Include all the hair strands in the braid
As you continue to braid down, you will notice that the unbraided strands of hair have decreased. By the time the braid reaches the nape of the neck, there are no more strands of hair from the sides of the head that have not been inserted into the braid.
Step 7. Finish your braid
Once all the strands of hair are included in the braid, finish by making a regular braid. Continue braiding until you reach the ends of your hair. Then, tie the end of the braid with a ponytail.
Try not to use a rubber band as it will pull and damage your hair when you remove it
Method 2 of 2: Making French Rope Braids
Step 1. Prepare your hair
Just like when you're about to start making a regular French braid, comb through the tangled hair to keep the hair in a smooth condition. French rope braids can be made on one or both sides of the head, so you will need to divide the hair. You can divide your hair in the middle or the sides of your head, depending on the look you want.
Step 2. Start small
Pick up a bunch of hair from one side near your hairline. The size of the section of hair you take is very influential in making French rope braids because it will determine the thickness of the braid. To make a bigger braid, take a thick bunch of hair, and for a smaller braid, take a small amount of hair. Usually, the thickness of the hair bundle taken is 2.5 cm.
Step 3. Separate this hair bundle into three sections
As in the process of making a regular French braid, you'll need to divide the strand of hair into three equal parts. Aim each section down so that it frames your face, not being pulled behind your head.
Step 4. Start braiding
Start by making a regular braid. Cross the section of hair on the "right" into the middle, then cross the section of hair on the "left" into the middle.
Step 5. Start including the other strands of hair
In making a French braid, you include bundles of hair from both sides of the head. In making a French rope braid, you only need to include a bundle of hair from one side of the braid.
You can include hair from any side of your choice. The important thing is that all the hair you include comes from the same side
Step 6. Continue braiding around your head
The longer you continue with this process, the braid will begin to form a crown or halo on your head. You can continue to braid it above the ear or below it, according to your choice.
- If you're making one braid, wrap the braid around your head. In the end, no more hair will be stuck in the braid when you reach the ear on the other side of the head.
- If you are making two braids, stop braiding when you reach the nape of the neck. Tie the first braid with a hair band, then repeat the process of braiding on the other side of your head to make a second braid.
Step 7. Finish your braid
In the end, no more hair can be included in the braid. At this stage, continue to make a regular braid to the ends of the hair. Tie your hair with a hair band to secure your French string braid.
Tips
- This hairstyle is perfect for active activities like dancing and cheerleading. However, you should start the braid from the top of your head and hold it in place with light bobby pins as you work.
- Braid your hair in front of the mirror so you can see the braiding process you are doing.
- Add the same amount of hair each time you continue the braid. Changing the thickness of the added hair bundle can cause the braid to look skewed and unbalanced. The thickness of the bundle of braided hair also affects the style of the braid. The less hair in the braided bundle, the more detailed your braid will look. The more hair in the braided bundle, the simpler your braid will look.
- Keep your mind focused so you don't make mistakes in the braiding process.
- Use a small hair band to help hold the small bunch of hair in the middle.
- Never forget to use hairspray! This product keeps your hairstyle neat and long lasting.
- When braiding, keep your hair neatly and comfortably braided but not pulled too tightly. Braids that aren't tight will look untidy or loose throughout the day.
- Try finishing it in a bun or ponytail, as an alternative to continuing the braid all the way to the ends.
Warning
- Be careful not to let your hair loose when making the French braid, otherwise you may have to start all over again!
- Your arms may feel tired while braiding your hair. Bend your arms forward to release tension or rest your arms on a surface behind you (such as the head of the bed or backrest).
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