How to French-Braid Your Own Hair

You've seen it everywhere, from "Little House on the Prairie" to MTV: the French braid. This special style of braiding is a bit intricate. Here's how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hair that is shoulder-length or longer
• Dexterity
• A hair elastic and, if necessary, bobby pins

1. Start by reaching back and taking a section of hair from the crown of your head. It should be a small fistful, and not all the way down to the scalp. Then, as if you were doing a normal braid, split that section of hair into three and then cross the right over the middle, then the left over the new middle. Hold this braid with your left hand.

2. With your free right hand, take a smaller section of hair from above your right ear. Add it to the right section of hair. Cross that section over the middle, then take the braid in your right hand.

3. With your free left hand, take a section of hair from above your left ear, then fold it into the left section and cross that section over the middle.

4. Continue steps 2 and 3 until you have reached the base of your neck, or where you'd like the braid to stop. Fasten with a hair elastic.

Tips & Warnings

• During this process, when holding the braid with one hand, make sure to hold the hair tight so the braid doesn't fall apart.
• You can make the braid as loose or tight as you want; having some strands fall out of the braid can be a cute, easy look too.
• You can also do a half French braid, stopping the braiding at the nape of the neck so that there is more hair in a ponytail at the end.
• This process can be very frustrating if your hair isn't quite long enough. Consider using bobby pins to hold back pieces of hair that are too short to make it into the braid.

[aliciaanswers]

on 3/13/2009 great art! i've never been able to do this but i read you article and as i type i'm wearing a french braid in my hair! thanks! 5*

[LNAngel]

on 5/28/2008 Interesting - I've never been able to do this! Thanks.

[Susancnw]

on 3/6/2008 I found it a lot easier NOT to look into the mirror when braiding my hair. Actually, I cannot do it when looking into the mirror. It must be done by feel. What can also help is have someone else braid it a few times for you so that you can tell by feel. My roommates and I used to do each other's hair in college and that is where I learned.