How to Style Individual Braids

Hair rollers work well for styling braided hair.

If you wear your hair in braids you might be wondering if it's possible to take your hairstyle one step further. You can further your braided hairstyle by styling your braids to spice up your hairdo. In order to avoid damaging your hair there are certain steps that you must take. When styling your braids, be inventive and mix it up, styling several separate braids in different fashions.

Things You'll Need

• Thermal protective spray
• Hair ties
• Hair clips
• Hairspray
• Blow dryer
• Hair rollers

Instructions

1. Dampen the braids that you intend to style by quickly running then under water and using a towel to remove any excess, dripping water.

2. Spray a thick, even coating of thermal protective spray over both the top and bottom of the braid.

3. Wrap the braid around a hair roller, starting from the tips and rolling up to the scalp. Fasten the roller with a roller pin and repeat on each individual braid that you'd like to curl. If you're curling a large braid, choose the largest hair roller available.

4. Use a blow dryer on the medium heat setting to dry the braids and set the curls into the hair until the braids are completely dry.

5. Unroll the braids from the curlers, and if desired, twist them up into an up-do at the crown of your skull using a large claw clip.

Tips & Warnings

• If you'd rather not curl your braids, simply use a claw clip to twist them up into a flirty up-do.

References

• "Beautiful Braids: The Step-by-Step Guide to Braiding Styles for Every Occasion and All Ages"; Patricia Coen, Joe Maxwell, and James Wagenvoord; 1996
• "Great Braids!: The New Way to Exciting Hairstyles"; Thomas Hardy; 1997
• "Celebrity Style 101 Hairstyles Presents Short Hair Gallery"; Celebrity Style 101 Hairstyles; 2005