Q&A for How to French Braid

Yes. A French braid is formal enough for any wedding theme.

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.

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!

Try using smaller sections of hair, and pull it in tightly! If it doesn't work out, the lace braid is a better option.

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.

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.

You will still have 3 strands. You just incorporate the loose hair into one of the strands each time you cross it over.

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.

Make sure your strands are all tight (ensuring that they don't fall apart) and that you tie it off firmly at the end.

Yes it would be easier if you simply can't do it. As long as they know what they're doing though!

You should try to pull on the strands each time you twist it. The result is so much better.

Yes, but not too much, otherwise it will make the hair slippery and harder to work with.

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.

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.

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.

Leave the shorter hairs out of the braid or secure them using bobby pins.

Dampen the hair a little and use thinner strands for the braiding.

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.

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.

Yes, of course.

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.

You can use mirrors to see or you can get someone to watch you braid and they can tell you how it looks.

Just French braid her hair like you would another person's hair, being careful not to pull the hair too tight.

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.

Dry shampooing is a great alternative to washing it. Your hair will be less oily and have more texture, which is perfect for braiding.

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.

You can still braid your hair, just be aware that without the elastic bands, the braid won't hold for as long.

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.

Use mirrors at various angles to get full view, practice on others and yourself many times, and always keep a brush on hand.

Clip your hair into sections and braid one at a time.