Here is an easy way to learn how to braid your own or someone else’s hair, using these quick and simple directions. Or you can check out our tutorial on how to French braid hair here.
Braiding
Step one: Comb out all the hair. Make sure that there are no tangles. Select the section of hair that you wish to braid. It can be on any part of the scalp and can be any amount of hair.
Step two: Divide the hair into three even sections. Separate the sections with your hands. Hold the left and center sections with your left fingers and the right section with your right hand.
Step three: Begin braiding. Take the right section and cross it on top of the center section. Grab the center section with your right hand and the right section with your left fingers. This will make the right section become the new center section. The center section now would become the new right section.
Step four: Move the center section into your right fingers. This will mean that the left section is the only one remaining in the left hand.
Step five: Take the left section and cross it on top of the center section. Grab the center section with your left hand and the left section with your right fingers. This will turn the left section into the new center section. At this point, the center section should become the new left section.
Step six: Move the center section into your left fingers. This will mean that the right section is the only one remaining in the right hand.
Step seven: Repeat steps 3-6. Repeat until you reach the end of the hair.
Step eight: Use a hair tie to secure the braid. Choose hair-friendly elastic.
Tips
You may wish to use a hair tie to hold the section of hair you wish to braid all together. You may also spray hair spray or use gel on the section of hair so that you get the three parts to stay together better.
If you’ve never braided before, learn the pattern with thick yarn or ribbon before you start on somebody’s hair. It takes some practice to get the feel of it.
Gentle tension on the braid, pulling down on the strands, will keep the braid snug.
Take the braid out by unbraiding it from the bottom, the opposite of braiding it.