Have you ever watched someone with a beautiful, intricate braid and thought, “I could never do that”? Well, you absolutely can. Braiding might seem like a magical skill, but it’s really just a simple pattern you can learn. With a little patience and practice, you’ll be creating lovely styles in no time. Let’s start your braiding journey with the basics.
Getting Your Hair Ready to Braid
The secret to a great braid starts before you even begin weaving. Slightly textured hair is much easier to work with than hair that is perfectly smooth. If your hair is very clean and slippery, try spraying a little dry shampoo or texturizing spray to add some grip. It’s also helpful to brush your hair thoroughly to remove any tangles. A little detangling spray can be a big help here, making the process smoother for both you and your hair.
The Simple Three-Strand Braid
This is the classic braid everyone knows, and it’s the perfect place to start. First, gather a section of hair and divide it into three equal parts. Hold the left section in your left hand and the right section in your right hand, with the middle section secured between your fingers. The pattern is simple: cross the right section over the middle section. Now, the right piece becomes the new middle. Then, cross the left section over the new middle section. That left piece is now the middle. Repeat this pattern—right over middle, left over middle—all the way down. Secure the end with a small hair tie.
Helpful Tips for Your First Braids
Don’t worry if your first few attempts feel clumsy or look a bit loose. This is completely normal! It helps to practice on dry, detangled hair and to look in a mirror so you can see what you’re doing. Keep your hands close to your scalp as you start to maintain tension, which helps create a neater braid. If you find the strands are slipping, try holding them a little tighter. Remember, practice makes progress. Each time you try, your fingers will remember the motion a little better.
Moving On to a French Braid
Once you feel comfortable with the basic braid, you can try a French braid. This style starts at the crown of your head and adds in more hair as you go. Begin with a small section of hair at the top and divide it into three. Start the same right-over-middle, left-over-middle pattern, but before you cross each section over, grab a little more hair from the side of your head and add it to that section before crossing it. Continue this process, adding hair with each stitch, all the way down.
Braiding is a wonderful skill to have, opening up a world of easy and beautiful hairstyles. Start with the simple three-strand braid, be patient with yourself, and soon you’ll be adding more advanced styles to your routine. Happy braiding!