Braided hair is all the rage but the cost can make you change your mind! Some people pay hundreds of dollars to have their hair braided into simple or intricate styles that last for up to four months. The braids are so tiny that from a few feet away they don't even look like braids. You can have extensions added to the length of your hair while the braiding takes place that will make others wonder whether it's natural or store bought.
Braided hair has come a long way since Bo Derek wore them in the movie 10. Nowadays you have many choices from micro, twists, dreadlocks, or extensions but if you want to do it yourself, here are some tips.
Practice on a doll or a patient friend before trying to braid your own hair. Twisting hair is so simple. Take two parts and intertwine them, one piece with the other. Clip a barrette, ribbon, or hair band at the tip to hold it in place. For a braiding, start with a simple design, like a plait, before moving on to more complicated styles and remember that mastering the art of braiding hair takes some people longer than others.
Let's begin with a braid about a half inch thick. Take a comb and part a section of the hair away from the rest. Don't worry about a style at this point, you're only practicing. Clip the rest of the hair out of the way and comb the piece you're about the braid so there are as few tangles as possible. If you've ever used chop sticks, braiding hair uses the same concept of controlling two objects (in this case two sections of hair) with one hand. You'll be alternating three sections of hair between two points on each hand.
Divide three equal parts of hair, one section in your left hand between two fingers (little finger and ring finger), one section held between your pointing finger and middle finger on your right hand, and one section between the two remaining fingers on your right hand. The length of the hair between your small fingers on each hand should extend freely between your thumb and pointing finger.
You will be using your pointing and middle fingers as clamps and your little and ring finger as clamps. Your thumb will assist as needed.
With your left pointing finger and middle finger accept the section of hair from your right pointing finger, and middle finger. With your right thumb and pointing finger grasp the section of hair from under the two fingers on your left hand, bringing this section under the first section and above the section that's already in your right hand to be held between your right index finger and right pointing finger. Lay it across your fingers. Now grasp the section that remains in your right hand with your left thumb and forefinger and bring it under and around the first section of hair.
Twist the sections of hair taking turns to combine each section until a braid pattern emerges. It may take some time to get the hang of it but keep trying… you'll get it.
Once you've mastered the plait, move on to the French braid. Part a larger section of hair, for instance, down the middle from front to back. Clip one side of hair to keep it out of the way. Comb the hair on the side you'll braid first to get most of the tangles out. Start at the top of the head and divide small three sections of hair. Work close to the head. Once you have started a small portion of the braid begin adding hair along a route toward the back of the head as you braid “onto” the scalp. The braid should be attached along the scalp as you braid.
Watch other people as they braid hair and practice your technique until your braids look professional.
