How to Braid and Twist Hair

Knowing how to braid and twist hair gives you many options for creating different hairstyles. Braids and twists work well on any hair texture, and these styles can be created with your hair and with hair extensions. Once you learn how to braid or twist, you can be creative and make combination styles that incorporate these two techniques. Braids and twists are perfect for children and adults who want a low-maintenance, unique style.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comb
• Brush
• Hair products

How to Braid Hair

1. Decide what style you want to create. The simplest braid styles have one or two braids.

2. Part hair into the size section you want to work with. For two pigtails, you can simply part hair down the center of the head.

3. Comb through a hair section to remove all tangles and then divide the section into three equal parts.

4. Place the right-hand section over or under the middle section. The right section is now in the middle.

5. Place the left hand section over or under the middle section. The left side is now the middle.

6. Alternate crossing right and left sections into the middle until you reach the end of the hair. Use a barrette, rubber band or elastic to secure the end of the braid if necessary.

How to Twist Hair

7. Begin with sections of hair as when braiding. For two-strand twist styles, it's common to make small partings all over the head, approximately 1-inch square.

8. Take a section of hair and divide it into two equal parts.

9. Begin at the roots and twist these two parts around each other. It's a similar technique to braids, except that you only work with two sections of hair instead of three.

10. Twist hair all the way to the ends of the hair. Secure ends with rubber bands or barrettes if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• You can braid overhand or underhand, depending on which technique is more comfortable for you. When creating braids and twists on natural black hair (hair that hasn't been straightened), the ends often hold themselves together without additional help.
• Do not braid or twist hair too tightly at the hairline. This can lead to breakage.

References

• Comb Twists
• Two-Strand Twists
• How to Braid Hair