How to French Braid Hair

The French braid is probably the most known technique for braids. Many people think that it is difficult to do, but once you get the French braid pattern down, it comes quite easy. Here are step by step directions for a French braid.

Things You'll Need

• Hair
• Hairspray
• Elastic hair band

Instructions

1. Start out with smooth hair so that it is easier to work with. Take a 2 inch section of the hair on top of the head.

2. Use your fingers to divide the section of hair into 3 equal pieces. Begin French braiding the hair by crossing the piece of hair in your right hand over the hair in the middle. The original right strand should now be in the middle. Then, cross the left piece of hair over the middle piece. The middle piece should now be the left piece.

3. Make sure to keep your hair tight by pulling the sections of hair taught and away from each other. Use your right hand to gather more hair into the braid on the right side. Incorporate the new hair into the original strand and cross it over the middle section. Pull it tight.

4. Use your left hand to gather more new hair into the piece on the left side. Incorporate the new hair into the section and then cross the left side over the middle section. Pull it tight.

5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all the hair is incorporated into the braid. The hair should be approximately at the base of the neck when this happens.

6. Begin a regular braid to finish off the French braid by crossing the sections over each other one alternating between the left and right side. Once at the end of the hair, secure the French braid with a elastic hair band to hold it in place. Spray some hairspray on the hair to keep it in place.

Tips & Warnings

• When learning to French braid hair, remember that practice makes perfect and that it may take time to get the correct pattern down.