How to Do a French Braid Step by Step

French braiding may look complicated, but it can be done on your own.

People with medium to long hair can create a French braid to help keep hair away from the face and maintain a classic look. A French braid is similar to a regular braid, but with a more intricate flair. French braiding does not require assistance, you can do it on your own. Before starting, comb your hair to smooth any knots or tangles.

Things You'll Need

• Hairbrush
• Hair band

Instructions

1. Take your pointer fingers and glide it through your hair from your hairline at the temple to the back of your head to form a V.

2. Take the hair gathered on top of your pointer fingers and separate it into three even strands all the way to the ends.

3. Cross the right strand over the middle strand, and pull the middle strand to the right.

4. Cross the left strand over the middle, and pull middle strand to the left.

5. Gather 1-inch of hair below the braiding section on the right side at the hairline and combine it with the right strand.

6. Gather 1-inch of hair below the braiding section the left side at the hairline and combine it with the left strand.

7. Cross the right strand over the middle strand, and pull the middle strand to the right.

8. Cross the left strand over the middle, and pull the middle strand to the left.

9. Repeat the braiding process and hair gathering to combine with the left and right strands until there is no more hair to gather from the hairline.

10. Take the three strands and braid it regularly by crossing the left strand over the middle strand, followed by the right strand over the middle until you are near the end of your hair. Combine the strands together and loop a hair band around it to hold it in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Smooth each strand of hair all the way to the end as you are braiding, and keep each crossover tight by holding it firmly toward the direction it crossed over.

References

• Real Simple: How to - How To: French Braid Hair