A simple braid hanging down your back is an easy way to add a bit of style to an ordinary ponytail, but a French Braid is a sophisticated look that incorporates your whole hair, not just the ends. It's also artistically beautiful, and can be intimidating to try at first, but is really much easier to execute than you'd expect. Some simple instructions, dexterous fingers and a bit of patience is all you need. The simple instructions are here to get you on your way.
First, it's good to remember the steps to a basic braid. Separate the hair you want braided into three equal portions: left, center, right. Take the right piece and cross it over the center piece. Then take the left and cross it over the center. Repeat, repeat, repeat all the way to the end and secure with a band. The piece you're crossing with becomes the new center piece each time.
Now the steps for a French Braid are very similar to the basic braid with one change: rather than dividing the whole hair into three pieces, you start with a smaller section of hair, leaving the rest hanging, and add bits in to each side before you cross over the center. Instead of beginning with the ponytail section of your hair, start higher up on your scalp. You can begin all the way at your forehead for a tight braid, or start more down the back of your scalp for a looser look.
- Wherever you start, make three hair sections: left, center, right.
- Take the right piece and cross it over the center piece.
- Then take the left and cross it over the center.
- Next, before you cross the right over the center again, grab a bit of the loose hair hanging down under the right piece and add it into your right hand. So now your right piece has the original beginning of braid plus some extra hair. Cross this new right piece over the center.
- Then take the left piece and add some dangling hair to it before crossing it over the center.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat, grabbing all of the nearby hair on each side as you go. Once you reach your neckline, there won't be any more loose hair so you'll be back to a standard braid, but the hair on your scalp will have a very different look.
- Secure the bottom with a band.
- Voila. A French Braid.
You can practice on someone else's hair at first because it's always easier to work with your hands in front of you rather than behind, but once you get used to it, it's fairly easy. Enjoy your new look.
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