How to French Braid Your Hair on Two Sides for Beginners

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French braids are a fun and practical style that both protects your hair while you’re active, and looks great for going out. It’s a pretty simple style, once you know what you’re doing. We talked to master braider Ndeye Anta Niang and pro hair stylist Sarak Kosakowski to show you how to do double French braids, how to merge them, and how to protect your new braids.

Braiding Your Hair in 2 French Braids

Part your hair down the center, then tie off 1 side. On the other side, separate three ½ in (1.3 cm) strands of hair near your hairline. Cross the left strand over the middle, then the right strand over the middle, picking up small sections of hair as you work down your scalp. Tie off and repeat on the other side.

Section 1 of 3:

Creating 2 Separate Braids

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  1. Niang tells us that the first step is to part your hair down the center. [1] Use a comb to create a smooth middle part , working slowly to make sure that your part is straight. Then, tie 1 side with a hair tie or secure it with a clip so that it doesn’t get in the way while you work on the first side.
    • If you’re braiding your own hair, hold each section and make sure you have about the same amount of hair in either hand. Or, use 2 mirrors, one in front and one in back, to clearly see what you’re doing.
    • Your hair will be easier to braid if it’s thoroughly combed and slightly damp, but you can still braid dry hair.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do Double French Braids
    Kosakowski tells us that to begin, take 3 equal strands of hair. [2] Start your braid as close to your hairline as you can, where your hair starts on your forehead. You don’t need to have all of the hair in your hand when you get started. Just pull small sections from near your scalp. You will pull in the remaining hair as you braid.
    • You’ll have a left, middle, and right section. Try to keep the 3 sections equal in size to make the braid look more uniform.
    • If you have thicker hair, you may need to start with more hair in your 3 sections. It may take some practice to learn the best way to braid your own hair.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do Double French Braids
    Niang notes that a French braid has the hair cross over, rather than under, when braiding. [3] Take the left-hand section and move it over the middle section, so that the left-hand section becomes the new middle section. Pull your hair tight to stabilize the braid and prevent flyaways—but not so tight that it hurts or puts pressure on your scalp.
    • Kosakowsky adds that you can do a reverse French braid instead by crossing the strands under each other, instead of over each other. [4]
    • As you braid, your arms may get tired. If this happens, tie off the braid under the last crossover and rest your arms for a bit.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Double French Braids
    Now, take the right-hand strand and, as Niang reminds us, bring it over the center section, so that it becomes the new center section. [5] You’ve just completed your first round of French braids !
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do Double French Braids
    Keep weaving the strands of your hair over and across each other to braid it. Now, though, before you cross a section over the middle, pick up a loose .5 in (1.3 cm) section of hair near the existing section to incorporate it into the braid, then cross the section over the center. This is how you pull new hair into the braid as you work your way down. [7]
    • This is the trickiest part, and Niang tells us it takes a little practice. By working slowly and carefully, you can do it! [8]
    • Once you’ve braided past your scalp, down past the past the nape of your neck, you won’t need to pick up new hair, and can just braid as usual—over and across.
    • If you like, skip to the next section to learn how to combine the 2 braids into 1 larger braid after the nape of your neck.
    • If you have thick hair, pull in bigger sections of hair so that you incorporate all of the hair into the braid before you reach the nape of your neck.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do Double French Braids
    Wrap your tie around your hair near the bottom of the braid, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) from the ends. This finishes and secures the braid while you move on to the other side. [9]
    • You can tie off your hair at any point during your braid. For example, while French braiding short hair , you may want to tie off your braid just below the nape of your neck.
    • If you have curly, textured hair that isn't prone to unraveling, you may not need an elastic, so it's optional.
    • Before beginning your second braid, let your arms rest for a few minutes.
  7. “Then, move your hands to the other side and French braid the other part,” Niang says. [10] Follow the same process on the other side of your head to create another French braid. When you finish, you’ll have 2 fabulous French braids, 1 on each side!
    • If you'd like, tuck the ends of each braid under the opposite braid to create a hair "crown." You'll need to secure the braids in place with a few bobby pins.
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Section 2 of 3:

Combining Double French Braids into 1 Braid

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  1. First, follow the steps in the section above to French braid your hair down to the nape of your neck. Then, stop the braids a few weaves below the nape of your neck so that you can combine them there. When you finish braiding the first side, secure it with a clip or hair tie while you braid the other side. [11]
    • Choose a tight clip or tie to hold the braid. If the clip is loose on your hair, the braid will start to loosen.
    • The nape of your neck is the base of your head, just before your neck starts.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do Double French Braids
    This will be the section furthest to the side of your head. Hold the section near the bottom weave around the area where you’d like to combine the 2 braids. [12]
    • If you’re braiding your own hair, you’ll likely need a pair of mirrors, one in front and one in back, to see what you’re doing.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do Double French Braids
    You’ll have both braids on your finger. Make your loop on the left braid near the same area of the weave as you did on your right braid. This will become your new right section for the rest of the braid. [13]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do Double French Braids
    Start on the left braid. Make your loop in the same area of your weave as you looped the right side. This will become your new left section for the rest of the braid. All you’re really doing here is combining the similar sections of each braid so that the 2 braids become 1 braid. [14]
    • Once you’ve got the corresponding sections merged, undo any ties or clips you put in to hold your hair in place.
    • Alternatively, create your new sections by joining the left and middle sections of your left braid, the right section of your left braid and the left section of your right braid, and the middle and right sections of your right braid. Some people find this method easier, though it might not look as smooth where the braids join.
  5. Once you’ve got each of the sections of the 2 braids lined up, now you simply keep braiding a standard crossover braid, using the combined sections. [15] Start by crossing the right side over the middle section and then repeat with your left side. Continue weaving until you reach the bottom of your hair, then secure your braid with a tie.
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Section 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Your French Braids

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  1. 1
    Apply hairspray or leave-in conditioner to prevent frizz. Over time, your braids might start to frizz, or you might notice flyaways that make your braids look a bit messy. Fix this by misting your hair with 3-4 spritzes of leave-in conditioner or hair spray to keep the braids moisturized and in place. [16]
  2. 2
    Remove the braids after a few days. Niang tells us that this sort of French braid style isn’t meant to last too long, unlike protective styles like cornrows or box braids. [17] After 2-3 days, you’ll probably notice the hair coming undone or looking untidy. When you notice this, it’s time to undo the braids , wash your hair, and then braid it again, if you like.
  3. 3
    Loosen tight braids by tugging at individual strands. Niang tells us that this sort of braid style shouldn’t need to be loosened very much, so long as you don’t braid it too tightly. [19] Nevertheless, if your braids do feel tight, start at the base of the braid and gently pinch opposing sections of the braid then pull them away from each other to loosen them .
    • You may need to do this multiple times along the braid to tease it out.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you French braid with thick short hair without getting too much hair?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    If you don't want your hair to appear as thick, you can first do a blowout and even straighten your hair with a flatiron. If you want your French braids to be longer, consider adding hair extensions to your hair and then beginning the braids. Proceed to follow the steps that are outlined above, and take smaller, equal sections of hair if you desire a tighter, smaller, and neater braid.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 42
  • Question
    Can you double braids with curly hair?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, any texture of hair is capable of being double French braided. However, if you want to loosen your curls before braiding, you may do so by stretching your curls, or doing a blowout before proceeding with the braids.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 38
  • Question
    How long does my hair have to be?
    Community Answer
    Hair should be at least shoulder length to make double French braids.
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      References

      1. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      2. ↑ Sarah Kosakowski. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.
      3. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      4. ↑ Sarah Kosakowski. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.
      5. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      6. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNWb-o-KNv8&t=124s
      8. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 5 March 2020.
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-qZu_PtydM&t=419s
      1. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiMeih4b3Sw&t=10s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiMeih4b3Sw&t=28s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiMeih4b3Sw&t=28s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xikOE7ZQOGY&t=384s
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjO90niKymE&t=314s
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOSgNcf8wQM&t=97s
      8. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      9. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      10. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      11. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To do double French braids, start by dividing your hair down the center of your head. Then, tie one side up with a hair tie so it's not in your way while you're braiding the other side. Next, French braid the loose section of your hair starting at the top of your head and working your way down to the ends of your hair. When you're finished, secure the end of the braid with a hair tie and let down your other section of hair. Finally, French braid that section of hair like you did with the other section and then you're finished. To learn more from our Cosmetologist co-author, like how to combine 2 French braids into a single braid, keep reading!

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