How to Braid Extensions

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Learn how to braid extensions at home with these simple steps

Co-authored by Amber Rose

Last Updated: November 14, 2024

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Braiding Box Braids With Hair Extensions

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Braiding Cornrows With Hair Extensions

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Braiding Crochet Braids With Hair Extensions

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Video

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Expert Q&A

Learning how to braid extensions can be a time-consuming process that requires patience. The most common types of ways to braid extensions are box braids, cornrows, and crochet braids. Though they can be time-consuming, each method is easy to learn.

Tips for Braiding Extensions

Shampoo and condition your hair and make sure it’s dry before you start braiding it.
Section off your hair before you start braiding to make sure everything is even and more manageable.
Don’t braid your hair too tightly, as it can lead to hair and scalp damage.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Braiding Box Braids With Hair Extensions

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1
Shampoo and condition your hair before braiding it. Extensions braided into small braids are usually in place for a long period, so you want to start with clean hair and scalp. Make sure your hair is dry before braiding.
- You may also want to cut the extensions to the length you prefer before braiding. If you are going to use the full length of the extensions, you can leave them as they are.
For box braids, you are going to be braiding numerous strands into tiny, long braids. Start the process by separating your hair into small, even, box-shaped sections.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Amber Rose
Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.} Then, use a small elastic to secure each section in a bun. Use a comb for best results and make sure your hair is untangled before you begin.

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3
Wrap the hair extension around the natural hair strand. Hold the piece of natural hair in one hand. Take the hair extension and loop it around the natural hair; essentially, you are wrapping the extension around the natural hair in half. You will have two strands of hair extension in one hand, and one natural strand in the other hand.
- Make sure the extension is looped evenly around the strand so the ends meet; this will ensure that way your braid is even.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Amber Rose
  Licensed Cosmetologist
  
  Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.}
Hold your natural hair taut as you twist the two strands of the extension around the natural hair strand. If you can't quite get it by twisting, just cross the extension strands under the natural hair. You will now have three distinct strands of equal size.
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Start the base braid. Take the natural strand, which is one of the outside strands, and cross it over the middle strand. Pull the extension strand to the side, making it an outside strand while the natural hair strand becomes the middle strand. This makes your three strands.
- Spray the hair extension and natural hair with water to keep stray hairs in place while you are working with it.
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Braid a few strands. Using these 3 initial strands, braid a few strands to get the braid going.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Amber Rose
Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.} Then, slide the extension upwards towards the scalp to secure it.
- Make sure not to braid the hair too tightly. This can cause severe scalp and hair damage.
Split the natural hair into 2 strands. Do the same to 1 of the extension strands. Combine 1 of each of the strands together into 2 new strands. Now, 2 of your strands should be a combined natural hair and extension strand. You should still have 3 separate sections of hair at this point.
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Continue braiding. Now that you have the braid started and blended, continue braiding until you get to the end of your hair.
- When you get to the ends of your natural hair, use some hair spray or water to smooth them down as they combine with your extensions.
When you reach the end of the extensions, secure the ends with a small hair tie or whatever other method you choose.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Braiding Cornrows With Hair Extensions

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1
Section off a line of hair. Start your cornrow by sectioning off a long, narrow section of hair. This section should be in a straight line from your scalp to your nape. Make sure to separate the edges as crisply as possible.^{[4]
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- Use rubber bands, clips, bobby pins, or another styling tool to secure the hair not in the cornrow section. You want to make sure hair from the rest of your head doesn't get integrated into the cornrow.
- Make sure to comb the hair in the tract straight back before you begin.
To start your cornrow, you need to make the base for the braid. Begin by taking a thin, even section from the very front of the section - right next to the scalp.
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Add the extension hair. Position the hair extension around the natural hair so the natural hair rests in the direct middle of the extension. This will produce 3 strands to braid - the extension on the right, the natural hair in the middle, and the extension to the left.^{[5]
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- Prepare these strands to braid by placing the 3 strands between your fingers on 1 hand. One strand should be between your thumb and index finger, the middle between your index and middle finger, the last between your middle and ring finger.
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Begin the braid. Get your fingers as close to the scalp as possible. Start with the strand of hair resting between ring finger and middle finger. Take that strand between your thumb and index finger on your free hand. Wrap the strand around the base of the hair in the direction of the hand you are wrapping with. Keep the hair tightly close to the scalp. Keeping that strand secure between your thumb and index finger, place the middle strand between the index and middle finger, while the outside strand is between your middle and ring finger.
- The strands have now shifted position. The hair that started in the back is now in front, the original middle strand (your natural hair) is in the back, and the original front strand is in the middle.
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Repeat this on the other side. Now with the other hand, repeat the same steps, wrapping around the other side of the strand. Take the strand currently between your ring and middle finger and wrap it around the hair using the thumb and index finger on your free hand. Make sure you wrap it around a different side than in the previous step; you are wrapping it around towards your free hand. Now place the middle and outside strands between the index and middle and middle and ring finger, respectively.
- If you are wrapping with your left hand, the hair will be wrapped on the left side of the strand. If you are wrapping with your right hand, the hair will be wrapped on the right side of the strand.
Continue braiding the hair this way for 3 to 4 more turns. You want to establish a tight, secure base braid for the rest of your cornrow.
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Add hair to the braid. Now that the base braid is ready, start adding hair to the braid. Pick up a small amount of hair from the tract and add it to the strand between your thumb and index finger. Make sure that you add hair from both sides of the section you are braiding.
- Continue adding small sections of hair from directly below where the braid is, braiding complete turns each time.
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Continue the braid to the end of your hair. When you have incorporated all the hair from your scalp into your braid, keep braiding but transition to a box braid and continue until you get to the end of your hair. Secure your hair with a small rubber band.
- After you finish the first section, go back through the process for the other rows.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Braiding Crochet Braids With Hair Extensions

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1
Braid cornrows into your hair. To prepare your hair for crochet braids, braid your hair into cornrows. You can do 5-6 large cornrows, or you can do smaller ones.
- The amount of cornrows you braid into your hair might depend on the kind of extensions you are braiding into your hair. If you are braiding bulky extensions, you can braid less cornrows into your hair.
- Crochet braids are braids where you first cornrow your hair, then attach the extensions into the cornrows by a latch hook method.
If your hair is long enough to extend beyond the nape of your neck, fold them up so they are directly alongside the cornrow. Push a threaded needle through the cornrow and the braided tail, then out and through a loop on the end of the thread. Pull tight to secure the thread around the hair. Repeat a few times along the cornrow.
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Attach the extension with a latch hook. Fold the extension in half so the ends meet evenly. The center of the extension should make a little loop. Carefully slide the latch hook under the cornrow. Hook the loop of the extension into the latch hook, then close it.
- Buy a latch hook tool. This tool closes the hook so that it doesn't tear, break, or snag on your hair. If you use a regular crochet needle, you might damage your hair.
- Alternately, you can use a bobby pin. Slide the bobby pin under your cornrow until just the looped end is sticking out on the other side. Slide your extension through the looped end of the bobby pin. Make sure to pull the hair through until both strands are even. Slide the bobby pin and extension under the cornrow.
Carefully pull the extension underneath the cornrow until the loop of the extension is below the cornrow. Take the strands of the extension and pull them through the loop. Tighten the loop until it is snug against the cornrow, and therefore, attached to your hair.
Once you have secured 1 extension, repeat the same process all the way down the cornrow. Place them as closely together as you please, depending on the look you are going for. You can put the extensions into twists or braids after you finish attaching them.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I braid an extension in with my natural hair?

Amber Rose
Licensed Cosmetologist
Amber Rose is a Licensed Cosmetologist and the Founder and Owner of Quality Style Weaves and Braids Salon in Orlando, Florida. With over ten years of experience, Amber is experienced in twists, braids, weaves, cutting, styling, and conditioning treatments. She specializes in hair growth for all hair types.

Amber Rose

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

When you're adding the extension into the braid, take smaller sections or slices of hair and stitch them into your braid to help secure it.

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Question

How do you braid your scalp with weave?

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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Create rows of horizontal cornrows as a base for the weave. Section the hair off in 1" strips and make very tight French-style braids. The wefts are then sown into these.

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Question

How do you tie a simple 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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

To finish the ends of a braid, wrap the hair in an elastic band or scrunchy. If you don't want to tie the braid off, you can backcomb tightly and spray the hair with a strong-hold hairspray.

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