Q&A for How to Braid Hair

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  • Question
    What is a boxer braid?
    Laura Martin
    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
    Boxer braids are sleek inverted French braids. They are popular with female athletes.
  • Question
    What is a cornrow braid?
    Laura Martin
    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
    A cornrow is a very tight, thin French braid that sits very close to the scalp. Cornrows are often done as a base for other styles.
  • Question
    How do you do a reverse French braid?
    Laura Martin
    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
    A reverse French braid is done by following the steps as you would for a classic French braid but instead of crossing the outer strands over the center you cross them under. This creates sleeker roots and more textured dimensional braid.
  • Question
    How do you make the perfect messy bun?
    Laura Martin
    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
    A messy bun starts as a class sleek bun. Once the shape is secured, use your fingers to gently stretch and loosen the bun, pulling a few wisps free.
  • Question
    What are some of the most popular styles of braids right now?
    Ashleigh Grounds
    Ashleigh Grounds
    Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
    Ashleigh Grounds is a Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in Austin, Texas. Ashleigh has over 11 years of cosmetology experience. She studied cosmetology in Dallas, Texas and completed a two-year hair salon apprenticeship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with Toni & Guy Hair Salon. She is accredited by the International Board of Cosmetology, is a certified Babe Hair Extension Professional, and is a certified Brazilian Blow Out Professional. Ashleigh was voted the best Hair Stylist in Austin for 2012 by RAW Artists and was voted in the top 20 salons for 2020 in Austin by Expertise. Ashleigh's work has been featured in Talentmagazines, BlogTalkRadio, KXAN, and Studio 512.
    Ashleigh Grounds
    Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    The most popular style of braid is the traditional French braid—that will never go out of fashion. The Dutch braid is also popular, which looks similar to the French braid, but it's an outside braid instead of an inside braid, so it pops a little more.
  • Question
    What if my hair is too dry and I cannot braid it wet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Wet it slightly with a spray bottle or leave-in conditioner. This way, your hair not be too dry to braid, but it will not soaking wet so you can't braid it either.
  • Question
    How do I give my braids depth?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use plumbing shampoo, conditioner, hair lotion, etc. If your hair is able, give it a simple push to your desire and spray it with not-so firm hair spray.
  • Question
    Will braiding hurt my hair's health?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, not if you do it carefully and properly. Avoid braiding and tying your hair too tightly; if you keep things too tight, you risk getting split ends. Also, avoid using too much gel, hairspray, and other styling products, as this can lead to build-up.
  • Question
    How can I make my hair grow faster?
    Tiger
    Tiger
    Community Answer
    Eat a healthy diet and have regular small trims. Wash your hair 1-3 times a week, and brush well every day.
  • Question
    How long does my hair need to be to be braided?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Hair can be of any length from medium-short to long to braid. If you have shorter, it might be a little difficult, but it's still doable.
  • Question
    Does braiding work for short hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, although you might run into problems doing a French or Waterfall braid. If it's too short or thin, try a silmple Plait or Rope.
  • Question
    Put of these methods, which one is the easiest?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The traditional, three-strand braid is the simplest and easiest to do.
  • Question
    How do you make a waterfall braid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Click the link under Method 5, Step 2 for instructions.
  • Question
    How can I make braided pigtails?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Part your hair down the middle, and place each section in front of your shoulders. Start braiding one section like you would a standard braid, tie it off with an elastic, and then braid the other. Try to position the braids so that they are behind your ears, instead of over.
  • Question
    How do I make a straight part for braided pigtails?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use the back of a comb or something straight (e.g. a chopstick), place it precisely in the middle and drag it down. Be careful not to press too hard.
  • Question
    What if I have really curly hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can try straightening it before braiding it to make the process easier.
  • Question
    What will happen if your hair is very knotty?
    Tiger
    Tiger
    Community Answer
    The braid will likely twist and turn, and won't look all that great. Make sure you comb through your hair well before beginning, and use a straightener or gel to smooth out the hair.
  • Question
    If I braid my hair, will it grow healthier and faster?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Braiding doesn't *make* your hair grow healthier or faster, but braids can protect the hair from pulling and tangling which cause your hair to break.
  • Question
    How can I get better at braiding my own hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try and try again. Getting better at braiding requires tons of work, but going from a simple three strand to a french is the best way to start. After that keep going on to maybe a five strand or a waterfall.
  • Question
    When I style a braid it looks very thin. How can I get a thicker braid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    There are many ways to make a braid look more full. The easiest ways are to get extensions or pull the braids pieces out more. As for adding thickness to your hair, check this article for some tips: how to make your hair thicker.
  • Question
    How can I practice braiding other people's hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Ask. Do it the same as you would with your hair. If at all possible and to make it easier, your first person should have soft, smooth and clean hair with a strong head.
  • Question
    How do I do a side braid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Brush all your hair to one side of your head, then braid as normal so it lays on one side of your head instead of down the center.
  • Question
    What braid would be easier on short hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If your hair is very short, you will probably only be able to do a plait.
  • Question
    How do I do a french braid in pigtails?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Begin by parting the person's hair along the center. Then do a typical french braid on each side, starting from the parting line.
  • Question
    Can I braid with thick hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. The only difference is that your braid will be bigger.
  • Question
    I'm in my teens and I still can't do a French braid. Is there anything that can help me?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You may want to try watching a few tutorial videos online ask someone to teach you. Once you get the hang of it, it should feel natural.
  • Question
    How would I braid my doll's hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you are just beginning, I would recommend the first method of braiding to braid your doll's hair. If you are confused on how to braid, I would recommend watching some braiding tutorials on YouTube.
  • Question
    My hair is layered and whenever I try to put my hair in a braid, there isn't enough hair to braid fully, and in the end there are random pieces of hair sticking out. What should I do about this?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try using bobby pins to pin the extra hair into the braid in ways that look like it is still a part of the braid. Then use hair spray to make the pins stay in.
  • Question
    How do you braid your hair so that you have two braids (one on each side of your head)?
    Miss Nashveggie
    Miss Nashveggie
    Community Answer
    Either split your hair down the middle and braid it normally or as a French braid. Just remember one side will have more hair than the other if you decide to do a side part instead of a middle part.
  • Question
    How do I dutch braid my hair?
    Miss Nashveggie
    Miss Nashveggie
    Community Answer
    To dutch braid, you do the same technique as the french braid, but instead of braiding over you will braid under.
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