How to Braid Your Hair with a Ribbon

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Braiding ribbon into your hair is a neat way to improve upon an already fantastic hairstyle. Using the color ribbon of your choice, you can mix and match with your outfits to complete your look.

Steps

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    If clean, brush it.
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    A parting will work best if it's in a place where it has been parted before, so as not to pull your hair or look askew.
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    The thickness of the sections will depend on which braid you are doing, for example, a fishtail, Dutch braid, etc., just be sure you know how to braid the type.
    • Have your ribbon at the ready, and also a bobby pin.
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    Clip it into place on a part of your top hair that you won't be braiding.
    • It is also possible to braid in a ribbon for each strand. If you decide to do this, it's best to try with just one ribbon first, to get the hang of it, then try the three strands. Also, be sure to either use all the same color of ribbon for each strand of hair, or match the colors so that they don't clash.
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    Again, braid according to the type of braid you have chosen. As you braid, keep the ribbon aligned at all times with the same section of hair you chose to begin with.
    • If you've added a ribbon to each of the sections of hair, keep each ribbon aligned with that section of hair.
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    Secure it tightly with a hair band/bobble to ensure that it doesn't fall out.
    • You could add a cute hairband to finish off your look, or maybe even a bit of holding spray to fix in any unwanted flyaways. If you want it to be a bit messy, just leave it be.
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    If you perhaps wanted to hide the bobby pin, or even the hair bobble, you could retrieve a prettier clip from somewhere, or wrap a bit of left over hair around the bobble and clip that into place, too.
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    The braided hair now contains a strand of ribbon running through it. At each upturned interval of the hair section that contains the ribbon, the color will show outward for everyone to see. It's a very effective look, especially when paired with your clothing color scheme.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What are some common mistakes people do when braiding hair?
    Ndeye Anta Niang
    Hair Stylist & Master Braider
    Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation.
    Ndeye Anta Niang
    Hair Stylist & Master Braider
    Expert Answer
    They tend to think if they don't pull it tight, it's not going to stay. There is some truth to that but you can braid it without pulling it too tight and it will stay.
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  • Question
    Do you have any tricks on how to ensure that your braids do not fall out?
    Ndeye Anta Niang
    Hair Stylist & Master Braider
    Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation.
    Ndeye Anta Niang
    Hair Stylist & Master Braider
    Expert Answer
    A simple way that helps is to wash the hair, deep condition it, and dry it without adding products or excess oil.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    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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      Tips

      • You may want a tight look. If so, as you braid your hair, pull it tightly whilst you are braiding it. This method works well for a fishtail, as it brings out more clearly what the pattern is meant to look like.
        Thanks
      • To achieve a 'cute overload' you could pull out a few baby hairs from around your face and by your ears, as well.
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      Warnings

      • Hairspray might spoil the ribbon, depending on what it's made from. Test a small area on the ribbon before spraying with the ribbon in your hair. It might also be worth checking that the hairspray washes out easily from the ribbon, using normal washing methods. If so, then you don't need to worry. If not, don't repeat!
        Thanks
      • Be careful not to 'pull' hair or begin a new parting where it hasn't been before. This can quickly and very easily damage your hair.
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      • Hair brush
      • Ribbon; the length must be longer than your hair, as it will bunch up when braided in.
      • Hair elastic, bobble
      • Clip (optional)
      • Hairspray (optional)

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