Q&A for How to French Braid

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Is a French braid formal enough for a wedding?
    Community Answer
    Yes. A French braid is formal enough for any wedding theme.
  • Question
    Is it easy to take out?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if you do it correctly. Take the band out and gently pull on the outer edges to loosen it. Continue this until you have taken it out. Whatever you do, do NOT brush or comb it as soon as you take the band out. It will just make the biggest tangle ever.
  • Question
    Can I learn to French braid my own hair if I can French braid my friend's hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can learn. It will take a little practice getting used to doing it on your own hair, but since you already know how to do it on a friend's, you have a nice head start!
  • Question
    How would I French braid short hair?
    Community Answer
    Try using smaller sections of hair, and pull it in tightly! If it doesn't work out, the lace braid is a better option.
  • Question
    Whenever I try doing a French plait, my hair puffs out because I don't do it tightly enough. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Before moving on to the next piece make sure that that piece is nice and tight and not puffy. Having a friend braid your hair can be most helpful for avoiding this, or even a sibling or parent.
  • Question
    How can I keep my arms from getting tired? They get so sore that I hate braiding my hair.
    Community Answer
    Try to braid at a slower pace, taking breaks to give your arms a rest. If your hair is especially thick, it can seem like forever, so the breaks can help; just tie off with an elastic temporarily. You could also try to find an elbow support, such as a counter or shelf. Another way is to let your arms rest against your head but make sure to keep your place. Another way is to just take deep breaths and stop braiding for a minute. If you tilt your head to the side you are braiding one it can alleviate the tension in your arms - a mini workout.
  • Question
    How do you work loose hair into the braid? Because then you won't have 3 strands?
    Community Answer
    You will still have 3 strands. You just incorporate the loose hair into one of the strands each time you cross it over.
  • Question
    How do I do it on someone else?
    Community Answer
    You braid it the same way, only you can see what you are doing. Your arms won't get as tired from holding them above your head.
  • Question
    How would I keep it all together?
    Community Answer
    Make sure your strands are all tight (ensuring that they don't fall apart) and that you tie it off firmly at the end.
  • Question
    Is it easier to have someone do it for you?
    Community Answer
    Yes it would be easier if you simply can't do it. As long as they know what they're doing though!
  • Question
    What tricks can I use to keep the braid neat?
    Community Answer
    You should try to pull on the strands each time you twist it. The result is so much better.
  • Question
    Can I spray water in mist mode?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but not too much, otherwise it will make the hair slippery and harder to work with.
  • Question
    How long does this usually take?
    Community Answer
    It really depends on how much hair you're braiding, how good you are at braiding, and how you're braiding it. If you're just doing a straight french braid on the side or in the back, with practice, it can take about 5-15 minutes. If you're doing like a spiral swirl bun with french braids anywhere, it will take much longer.
  • Question
    If you have frizzy hair how can you keep it neat in a braid? It usually turns messy and ugly after a couple of hours.
    Community Answer
    If it isn't messy in the first place, put a bit of hair conditioner on your braid. Be certain to brush the hair well before starting. Spray with hairspray.
  • Question
    Is it good to put hair spray on thin hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Thin hair tends to go limp easily, so putting hairspray at the roots and on the top is very useful in keeping your hairstyle in place.
  • Question
    How can I deal with side bangs and baby hair when doing a french braid?
    Community Answer
    Leave the shorter hairs out of the braid or secure them using bobby pins.
  • Question
    How can I make thinner French braids?
    Community Answer
    Dampen the hair a little and use thinner strands for the braiding.
  • Question
    When I do it by myself I can never make more hair add on because little hairs try to join, too.
    ImDaLitSavage
    Community Answer
    Just keep on practicing, that's a common problem at first. Keep it very brushed out. Just keep on trying to part it more precisely, and bring the outer hair to the strand of hair you're braiding.
  • Question
    What if the braid comes loose when I am still braiding? How do I fix it?
    Community Answer
    You need to pull the strands tight so that they won't come loose. If they do, you may need to start from the beginning.
  • Question
    Can you do it when you have semi-damp hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes, of course.
  • Question
    How can you french braid with already braided hair?
    Community Answer
    You can only do that if the hair is braided into multiple, small braids. Then you'd french braid as normal, pulling back sections of braids bit by bit.
  • Question
    How can you see what you're doing as you go further back?
    Kelsey Cox
    Community Answer
    You can use mirrors to see or you can get someone to watch you braid and they can tell you how it looks.
  • Question
    How do I French braid an American Girl doll's hair?
    Community Answer
    Just French braid her hair like you would another person's hair, being careful not to pull the hair too tight.
  • Question
    For some reason when I start this braid, it is small, and as I go down, it becomes larger. Is there anyway I can make it equal?
    Kelsey Cox
    Community Answer
    As you add pieces of hair into the three stands, they get bigger. You could try adding smaller strands of hair into the braid or as you braid down, and pull tighter as you cross the strands over.
  • Question
    Can I shampoo my hair using dry shampoo before braiding?
    Kelsey Cox
    Community Answer
    Dry shampooing is a great alternative to washing it. Your hair will be less oily and have more texture, which is perfect for braiding.
  • Question
    How do I start the braid at the top of my head?
    Community Answer
    You do a normal braid, then you can begin to add in the strands from the sides at anytime. Most people usually do it after the first crossovers, whereas some people do it after a few more crossovers.
  • Question
    What if you don't have elastic bands and you don't want to buy them?
    Community Answer
    You can still braid your hair, just be aware that without the elastic bands, the braid won't hold for as long.
  • Question
    Which one is better for french braiding my hair, when it's wet or when it's dry?
    Community Answer
    When braiding, wet hair usually has a better outcome, giving you wavy hair when you take it out, but I find it trickier when wet because it is slippery and may become messy.
  • Question
    How can I do a french braid on yourself?
    Community Answer
    Use mirrors at various angles to get full view, practice on others and yourself many times, and always keep a brush on hand.
  • Question
    How do I do lots of little ones?
    Community Answer
    Clip your hair into sections and braid one at a time.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article