Q&A for How to Braid Your Own Hair

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  • Question
    How do you do French braids on yourself?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    French braiding your own hair can be tricky. The method is the same as when you do it on someone else, but you'll be working where you can't see, so you have to go by feel. Keep your hands close to the scalp to prevent bumps in the finished look.
  • Question
    Is it good for your hair to braid it?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Braiding doesn't have any direct benefits for the hair, but it is a good way to create a stylish look without heat. Braiding can also protect your hair from exposure to the elements.
  • Question
    How do you make a fishtail braid in your hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    A fishtail braid is made by splitting the hair in half then peeling off small sections from each side and adding them to the opposite side. This looks best if the sections are taken from the outside edges.
  • Question
    What is a Dutch braid?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    A Dutch braid is like a French braid but the roots are sleeker and the braid itself has a 3-D appearance. You create it by crossing the sections under each other instead of over like you would for a traditional French braid.
  • Question
    Whenever I try to do a french braid my hair puffs out. What should I do?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    This puffing out is a result of a lack of tension. As you braid, keep your hands close to the scalp and pull down and back on the braid.
  • Question
    If you have curly hair does it affect your ability to braid?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Curly hair is great for braiding. Before you begin, dampen the hair slightly and add some leave-in conditioner to help control the curls as you work.
  • Question
    How long will I need to practice to get good at this?
    Community Answer
    That is entirely up to you but if you practice daily, you'll probably get the hang of it within a week. Try it and see.
  • Question
    Do I need to dampen my hair for braiding?
    Community Answer
    No. In some cases, wetting your hair before braiding can actually increase the likelihood of breakage. That being said, in my experience, dampening my hair can make it easier to tuck in loose strands. This is also the ideal method if you want wavy hair. Braiding your hair while damp will create waves when it dries.
  • Question
    How do I do a Dutch braid?
    Anjali
    Community Answer
    You do the same thing as a french braid, but instead of crossing the side strands OVER the middle, you cross them UNDER the middle.
  • Question
    How long does it take to braid your hair?
    Community Answer
    With practice, you should be able to side braid your hair within a couple minutes. French braiding may take up to 5 minutes, and fishtailing, up to 10 minutes (depending on length of hair).
  • Question
    When doing a braid on the back of your head, how are you supposed to look at it?
    Community Answer
    Use a double-mirror system. Have one mirror on one wall, and another mirror (that you can adjust the angle of) opposite it.
  • Question
    How much shorter does hair become after braiding?
    Community Answer
    Depending on the style, hair usually becomes 2 to 3 inches shorter.
  • Question
    How can I do a French braid with short hair without any extensions? Any tips/tricks?
    Community Answer
    Start by dampening your hair, which actually makes it slightly longer (especially if naturally wavy) and easier to braid. Then, try to keep the braid nice and tight while you braid it.
  • Question
    How can I hold the first section of hair when I'm starting the second step of the braid?
    Community Answer
    If you can't manage it with your fingers, you can always use hair clips to hold a piece in place until you're ready to use it.
  • Question
    When I try to do a French braid, my arms start aching. Can you tell me any other ways?
    Community Answer
    Once you find a fixed position in which you can stop braiding, take turns changing from the right to the left hand.
  • Question
    My hair is short and I'm not able to braid it. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Consider adding some hair extensions or doing French braids instead.
  • Question
    How do you braid short hair?
    Community Answer
    It's easiest to stand in front of a mirror and then position another mirror behind you so that you can see the back of your head. Then follow the steps but instead of bringing it around, braid behind your head only.
  • Question
    Does it affect the braid if my hair has different layers?
    Community Answer
    If your hair is layered, it will affect your braid. The shorter pieces of hair will come out before the braid is finished. It's like braiding yarn strands that are different lengths. The shorter layers will poke through the braid. However, you can hide these with bobby pins.
  • Question
    Is it possible to braid hair with layers?
    Community Answer
    A French braid is an amazing braid to do on hair with layers, because it keeps the layers from sticking out. It might be difficult to do a fishtail or classic braid on your hair, but if you use lots of hairspray it might be able to hold.
  • Question
    Why you can't braid your hair while it is wet?
    Community Answer
    Your hair is weakest when wet, so you are more likely to damage it when you style it while wet. Additionally, your hair will take much longer to dry in a braid than it would if you left it down.
  • Question
    How do I make a clean braid with layered hair? Each time I try to braid my hair, the shorter strands fall out of the braid.
    Community Answer
    Apply gel to your hair before you braid it and use hairspray after.
  • Question
    How long would it take if my hair is quite long?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how well you know how to braid. If you are a beginner then probably 3-5 minutes. If you are an expert then 1-3 minutes.
  • Question
    What will my hair look like the next day if I leave a French braid in overnight?
    Miss Nashveggie
    Community Answer
    If you have straight or slightly wavy hair, then it would look very wavy, depending on how tight you make the braid.
  • Question
    It is so hard for me to do a French braid cause I can't see it. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    You can always use a mirror in front of you and behind you to see the back as well as the front of your hair. If not, get somebody else to do it.
  • Question
    The only problem I have with fishtails is my hair is so long, it takes forever. Any tips/tricks to help me do it faster?
    Community Answer
    Using bigger chunks of hair could help it go a little faster, but the result might not look the same. All hair styling and hair care takes longer with long hair. That's the price you pay for having long hair. If the effort isn't worth it to you, cut your hair or just don't do styles that take a lot of work.
  • Question
    Do I need to part my hair into 3 sections to make a braid?
    Community Answer
    Not always, but most braids require three sections.
  • Question
    How can I have my hair cut for better braiding?
    Community Answer
    Go to a hairdresser or ask someone to cut your hair for you. You can also cut your hair but you should look in the mirror. Your hair should be straight to make it easier to braid. Avoid layers.
  • Question
    Is it okay to sleep with a French braid in?
    Sierra Manyak
    Community Answer
    Sure. When you wake up, your hair will be pretty and wavy.
  • Question
    I can do a fishtail braid, but it always become loose. What can I do about that?
    Sierra Manyak
    Community Answer
    You can get the same effect by putting your hair in a ponytail, doing a flip tail (there is a tutorial for that on YouTube), then tying it off with a hair band, then flipping it again and so forth.
  • Question
    My hair doesn't stay in the braid and breaks the elastic. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Dampen your hair and try using 2 thicker, stronger elastics to ensure that your hair stays in better.
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