How to Curl Hair with Braids

Co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

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Curled hair can be a great look for a night out or a special event, but it can be time consuming to do with a curling iron or rollers. You can get soft, wavy hair by braiding instead of curling. This method of creating waves works best for people who have naturally wavy or curly hair. Make sure you braid hair that has been washed and is still slightly damp. If your hair is naturally wavy, a loose side braid will give you relaxed curls. If you have straight hair, try tight braids for more uniform waves. You can then maintain your curled hair so it looks polished and pretty.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Prepping Your Hair

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Start by washing your hair as you usually would. Use shampoo and conditioner, especially if you have thick hair that tends to get dry.^{[1]
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2
Dry your hair so it is still slightly damp. Let your hair air dry or use a blow dryer. Make sure your hair feels damp but not soaking wet, as this will help your braided hair set and curl.^{[2]
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American Academy of Dermatology
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- Braid your hair when it is about 80% dry.
- You can also dampen dry hair by spraying it with a spray bottle.
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Make sure there are no tangles in your hair. Use a brush or a comb to brush your hair when it is still slightly damp.
If your hair tends to get frizzy when you braid it, you can apply nourishing hair oil to the ends of your hair before braid it. Take a dime-sized amount of hair oil in your hands and run them through the ends of your hair. Do not do this, however, if you have fine or straight hair, as it may prevent the curl from holding.^{[3]
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Ndeye Anta Niang
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}
Squeeze a small amount of lotion or mousse into your hand. Apply it evenly throughout your hair, starting at the middle of your hair and working down to the ends.^{[4]
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Ndeye Anta Niang
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}

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If you want to braid your hair to make it curly, try using a curling cream, like the ones from Shea Moisture or Carol's Daughter.

Ndeye Anta Niang
Professional 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
Professional Hair Stylist & Master Braider
6
Have 1-2 hair ties on hand. You will need at least 1 hair tie to do a side braid. You will need 2 hair ties to create tight braids.
- Use hair ties that are wrapped in fabric or thread as they will not pull on your hair.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Doing a Loose Side Braid for Relaxed Curls

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1
Make a deep side part with your fingers. Use your fingers to part all your hair, or as much of it as you can get, to one side. Move your fingers from the front of your hair to the back to gather up your hair to the side.^{[5]
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- If you have bangs, you can let them fall as they are.
Gently pull your hair over one of your shoulders so all your hair falls to one side of your face. Use your fingers, rather than a brush or comb, so your hair stays loose.^{[6]
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Take the left and right pieces of hair and loop them over each other.
Take the center section and pull it up through the middle of the left and right pieces. Then, place it over either the right or left section.
Braid your hair all the way to ends. Continue braiding your hair, looping the sections over one another. Make sure you hold your hair firmly but not too tight as you braid so the side braid is loose.
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Secure the end of the braid with a hair tie. Once you have braided all your hair into a side braid, wrap a hair tie on the end to keep it in place.
- Use a scrunchy or ribbon if you have fine hair. Hair ties can leave dents in your hair that may interfere with your new wavy look.
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Leave the braid in overnight. Sleep with your hair in the side braid. Try sleeping on the opposite side of the braid so it does not get too messed up during the night.^{[7]
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- You can also wrap your hair in a scarf or wear a shower cap to bed to keep the braid in place.
Once the braid has been in your hair overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours, take off the hair tie and carefully undo the braid. You should have loose waves on the ends of your hair, giving you a relaxed, curled hairstyle.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Doing Tight Braids for Tight Curls

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1
Separate your hair into 2 sections down the middle. Take your fingers and separate your hair, creating a center part. You should have 2 sections, one on either side of your face.^{[8]
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- You can also use the pointed end of a comb to separate your hair into sections if that’s easier for you.
Form 2 sections on 1 side of your hair, pulling from the top layer of your hair.^{[9]
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Hold 2 pieces of hair in either hand and twist them once in your hand. Then, loop them over each other in the opposite direction of the twist. Pull them tight to your head as you twist them.^{[10]
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4
Add more hair and twist the two pieces together. Use one hand to keep the 2 pieces in place. Use the other hand to take 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of hair into your hand and add it to one of the pieces. Then, loop the 2 pieces over each other.^{[11]
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- Make sure you grab hair from the back of your head so you get all of your hair in the braid.
Add more pieces of hair to the braid and twist each section over each other. Continue doing this until you have twisted your hair all the way down to your neck into a braid.^{[12]
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Twist the remaining hair into a tight bun. Once you reach the base of your neck, you may not have any more layers from the top of your hair that you can twist. Instead, you can curl the rest of your hair by tightly twisting it into a bun shape.^{[13]
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- Make the bun very tight, as you do not want it to come undone during the night.
7
Secure with a hair tie or scrunchy. Once you have twisted the rest of your hair into a tight bun, place a hair tie or scrunchy over the bun and secure it by wrapping the hair tie around it 1-2 times.
- Scrunchies are better for people with fine hair, as they prevent dents in your hair.
8
Repeat the same steps with the other section of hair. Twist together the top layers of your hair, holding your hair tight as you loop and twist it. Do this until you reach the base of your neck. Then, twist the remaining hair into a tight bun.
- Secure the bun with a hair tie.
Sleep with your hair in the tight braids so it can curl overnight. You may wear a scarf around your hair or a shower cap to keep your braids from falling out.^{[14]
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Carefully remove the hair ties. Then, gently unravel your braids. Do not tug on them too hard, as you do not want the curls to be pulled out. You can also try shaking out your hair to avoid ruining the braids. You should have tight curls all over your head.^{[15]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Maintaining Your Curled Hair

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Keep your curls in place by applying a few spritzes of hair spray or a small bit of curling cream to your curled hair. Use your hands to lightly scrunch your curls. You can also flip your hair over to add volume to your curls.^{[16]
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Ndeye Anta Niang
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}
Brushing your hair can ruin your curls. You should also try not to touch your hair too much throughout the day, as this can unravel your curls and make your hair appear oily or flat.^{[17]
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If you have dry hair, use a moisturizing shampoo to wash out your curls in the shower or bath. You can also use a conditioner if your hair tends to get dry or frizzy.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Do braids make your hair grow longer and faster?

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

Braids protect your hair so that it is less prone to damage and breakage but they don't increase the amount your hair grows.

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Question

Can you curl kanekalon 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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can set kanekalon hair on a roller or bendable rod, but you can't use a curling iron or any other heat styling tool to curl it.

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Question

What happens when you braid your hair when it's wet?

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

When hair is wet it stretches farther and is more fragile. Braiding it when it is wet can cause it to break.

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