How to Do Loose Braided Pigtails

Use loose braided pigtails to secure long hair.

Braids are a time-honored and attractive way to tame long hair and bring hair off the face and neck during hot weather or physical activities and sports. Loosely braided pigtails balance the weight of the braids on either side of your head, which is great if you have long or very thick hair. These braids can be created by anyone, even if they have trouble with more traditional braids or other hair styles. For a perfect part down the back of your head, employ a second mirror or the help of a friend or family member.

Things You'll Need

• Comb
• Mirror
• 4 hair elastic bands

Instructions

1. Run a comb vertically down the center back of your head, from your crown down to the base of your neck, to part your hair into two equal size sections.

2. Look in the mirror and rearrange the sections, as needed, to contain relatively equal amounts of hair.

3. Secure each section above your ear, using one hair elastic band wrapped a few times around the pile of hair. These will form pigtails on either side of your head.

4. Divide one pigtail into three sections -- right, center and left -- of equal size. Cross the right section of hair over the middle. The right section is now the middle section.

5. Cross the left section over the middle section. The left section is now the middle.

6. Continue crossing the right section over the middle section, then the left section over the middle until you have braided the length of the pigtail. Do not tighten. Secure the braid with one hair elastic band wrapped around the bottom of the braid.

7. Divide the other pigtail into three evenly sized sections and braid in the same manner. Secure at the bottom of the braid with one hair elastic band.

References

• Hair: A Book of Braiding and Styles; Anne Johnson; Klutz Press; 1995