Q&A for How to Braid African American Hair

A lot of people tend to think they need to pull the braids extremely tight to keep them from unraveling, but that's simply not true. You can braid your hair and get it to stay by pulling the braids gently together.

After shampooing, conditioning, and drying your hair, you need to part your hair in horizontal partings since you want the braids going to the side. Make the parts as thin or as thick as you want the braids to be. Comb the hair to detangle it, take 3 small sections of hair and begin braiding. Add small pieces of hair as you continue to braid. You may need to ask for assistance with parting your hair in areas that you can’t see, and braiding in areas that you’re unable to reach.

No, even if your hair is thin you can still achieve cornrows. Optionally, you can add synthetic braiding hair to your cornrows if you desire fullness.

Yes. It's very easy. After separating your hair into 3 equal strands, take the strand on the right and put it in the middle of the other 2 strands. Then take the left strand and put it in the middle of the other 2 strands, then right again, then continue like that.

Use a wide-tooth comb to remove knots, and only use a soft bristle brush for smoothing your hair and removing frizz.

Make sure you part the middle of your head then start on one side of the head. You need to start off with three strands, then start going over each strand with another strand, but, as you continue, start taking hair from the side you are braiding on and add it to your strands then continue to braid.

It's hard to do your own. Ask a friend to help or put two mirrors so you can see the back of your head as you work.

It all depends on your hair type, but most likely it would take up to an hour or a little more.

No, they will start to smell if you use shampoo on your braids.

You really shouldn't do that unless they actually ask you what you think. (Otherwise it's pretty rude to say something like this.) If they do ask, just tell them you prefer a different style on them, or say something like, "I think it would look better if you ______."

First off, don't wash them. Second, try to wrap your hair up when you sleep. This will make them last longer. Third, try applying gel to your braids and a sheen spray to your scalp and the top of your head. Your head will feel relaxed and cool, and your breads will look neater.

You could put beads or hair ties at the end. But if that is not an option, take a gel-based conditioner and add it to the ends while you work, then twist it around your finger when you are done.

Get a bowl and get rice and water. Put the rice in the water and leave to soak for about 10 minutes. Then, drain the rice out of the bowl and put the water in a bottle. To use, spray on your hair.

Yes! Just follow the same steps you would when braiding your own hair, and it should come out fine.

If your braids are causing you pain, they are probably too tight. Loosen them, because extremely tight braids can lead to hair breakage and weakening.

Havana and Marley twists are made using Havana hair and Marley hair, so the answer is no. You could make the hair into a similar texture by curling the kanekalon hair and brushing it gently.

Depending on your hair type, the best way is to wet and wash your hair, keep it semi-damp to almost completely damp, use a curling gel (whatever works for you), then do large finger coils and curl them to your desired preference. You can apply mousse for a shiny effect. You can dry your hair with a blow dryer (without a comb/brush). This style can last for up to three weeks if you keep it well maintained. However, you cannot permanently change your hair type unless you add chemicals.