Hair Braiding for Absolute Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to the captivating world of hair braiding! Braiding your own hair is not only a practical skill for securing your hair during physical activities but also a fantastic creative outlet to express your personal style for any occasion, whether dressed up or down. Braids can even be conversation starters, opening doors to new friendships.

This article will guide you through the basics of braiding, providing step-by-step instructions and opportunities for practice. So, pull up to your mirror, and let's begin!

Essential and Optional Supplies

To embark on your braiding journey, you'll primarily need hair, a mirror, and dexterity in both hands. However, certain supplies can enhance your results and make the process smoother:

• Brush: A brush helps smooth your hair as you work. Brushes with bristles made from natural materials like boar hair or wood are preferable, as they help distribute oils from your scalp down the hair shaft.
• Comb: A comb is useful for creating clean sections by parting your hair at the scalp.
• Hair elastics: Hair elastics are used to secure the braid in place upon completion. Tiny, clear elastics are a great choice for most braids.
• Bobby pins: Bobby pins are also used to secure the braid. When shopping for bobby pins, try to find ones that match your hair color.
• Duck bill clips: Duck bill clips can temporarily secure a section of hair, keeping it out of the way without messing up your in-progress style.
• Dry shampoo: Dry shampoo can spruce up oily roots between washes. When applied around the front and crown areas and rubbed in, it absorbs excess oil, eliminating that greasy scalp look. Dry shampoo can also add volume to your style, even if your hair isn't dirty. You can even make your own dry shampoo from cornstarch (use solo on lighter hair) and unsweetened cocoa powder (mix both for darker hair).
• Hairspray, styling paste, and conditioning oil: Depending on your hair type, you may want to use hairspray, styling paste, and/or conditioning oil to prevent and combat frizz and flyaways.

Step-by-Step Braiding Instructions

Step 1: Grab a Section

Start by grabbing a section of hair at the front of your head. The exact location and amount of hair aren't crucial. It's recommended to pick a section from just to the right or left of your center part. For precision, use your thumb to draw a line on your scalp, starting at your temple and extending towards the top of your head until you reach the part.

Tie the rest of your hair back with an elastic or clips to keep it out of the way while you braid. Brush the selected section away from your face to smooth it out. This initial braid serves as practice, making it easier to see the process unfold right in front of you. While controlling the direction of your braids will be explored later, focus on the basic technique for now.

Read also: Mastering French Braids

Step 2: Create Three Sections

Use your fingers to divide the section of hair into three equal parts. Position two of these sections in your left hand, and the third in the right hand.

Step 3: Cross Over

Move the section in your right hand over its neighbor, effectively swapping which hands are holding them. The right section now becomes the center section, and the former center section shifts to your right.

Next, move the left section to cross over its neighbor into the center position. Maintain tension in all three sections to avoid any slack.

Step 4: Criss Cross

Continue the braid by bringing the rightmost section to the center position, crossing it over its neighbor. Repeat this action with the leftmost section. Alternate these criss crosses for the entire length of your hair.

Step 5: Secure With an Elastic

When you reach the end of your hair or the sections become drastically different sizes, secure the tail of your braid using a tiny elastic, wrapping it around multiple times.

Read also: Learn the Braid and Down Style

Step 6: Reflect and Refine

Take a moment to admire your work! Now, consider any areas for improvement. For instance, does the braid stick straight down into the middle of your face?

If you sweep the braid to the side, does it create an odd-looking lump? This could be due to the way the hairs were pointing when you initiated the braid. To rectify this, gently undo your braid, brush out any tangles, and prepare to start again.

Step 7: Sweep to the Side

This time, use your fingers or a brush to sweep your hair to the side of your face before dividing it into three sections. For uniform, neat-looking sections, use your fingernail or a comb to draw dividing lines along your scalp, parallel to the direction you want the braid to travel.

Start another braid by holding two sections in one hand and one in the other, then alternate crossing the outermost sections to the center. Turn your head slightly as you work, and keep your hands pulling the braid off towards the side.

Step 8: Practice and Perfect

Practice this crossing-over braid to develop muscle memory. Strive to braid without constantly looking in the mirror. After each braid, reflect on the process and identify areas for improvement. Keep your first few stitches (pairs of criss crosses) close to the scalp to avoid sloppy slack near the braid's origin.

Read also: Achieve Effortless Elegance

Successful braids require multitasking and balancing various contributing factors. Practice making small braids in your hair during moments of downtime, such as in waiting rooms, checkout lines, or while watching TV.

Expanding Your Braiding Skills

Once you've mastered the basic braid, you can explore other variations and styles:

• Two small braids: Use the same technique to create a basic braided hairstyle with two small braids.
• Single strand braid: Challenge yourself with a single strand braid at the back of your head.

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