Q&A for How to Make a Dutch Braid

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  • Question
    How do you do a Dutch braid step by step?
    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
    Start with a small section divided into thirds. Cross right under center, then left under new center. On the right, pick up some more hair and add to the section, then cross under center; repeat picking up hair and crossing under on the left. Alternate crossing right and left under center adding more hair until all hair is incorporated; plait to ends.
  • Question
    Can you make the braid go sideways?
    Ashley Adams
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, definitely. You can braid one large, slanted dutch braid braided on the side of your head. You could even get creative with parting your hair and still achieve side braids.
  • Question
    Can you do a Dutch braid with a fringe?
    Ashley Adams
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes! You can either leave your fringe out of the braid, or conceal it by pulling it into the braid. To keep it out of the braid, clip it out of the way and braid normally. If you want to add your fringe into the braid, smooth it back with the rest of your hair. To keep the ends from sticking out, apply a bit of smoothing serum or pomade.
  • Question
    How do you braid your own hair?
    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
    Use a mirror to help you divide out the initial sections and get started, then work by feel, checking in the mirror occasionally for evenness and flyaways. With practice you can learn to braid entirely by feel.
  • Question
    How do you make 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 another name for double dutch braids. Divide hair down the center and braid each side using a dutch braiding technique.
  • Question
    Where did the name French braid come from?
    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
    The term comes from a fictional story published in 1871 in Arthur's Home Magazine. The braids themselves have been around much longer, at least 6,000 years.
  • Question
    How do you get the braid to be so neat?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Braid slowly and carefully, always pulling the strands in firmly and tightly. The key is in not rushing. It may take a few tries to perfect the braid. However, it will become easier the more times you try it.
  • Question
    Is it possible to use straight hair? Or mid size length?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. It really doesn't matter if your hair is straight or curly or long or short, the braid will still work.
  • Question
    How long does it usually take to do the Dutch braid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It all depends on how good you are at Dutch braiding. If it's your first time though, it could take a while, maybe 20 to 30 minutes until you perfect it, after which you should be able to do it in about 10 minutes, depending on your hair length.
  • Question
    Can I still do a Dutch braid if I have short, thick hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It depends on how short and thick your hair is. The best way to find out whether or not you can do a Dutch braid with your hair is to try. If you try and your hair seems to short, try parting your hair in the middle and creating two Dutch braids.
  • Question
    Do you have to start with the right hand side?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, it doesn't really matter which side you start with, as long as you are following the pattern throughout the braid.
  • Question
    I'm pretty good at this technique, but I always end up with and ugly pouffe wherever the braid starts. Any suggestions?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you have a spare rubber band/old hairband, tie the very top of the braid after you're sure there's no pouffe. Then braid as you normally would and either leave it there or cut it off after you're done. This should ensure that your hair doesn't puff out.
  • Question
    Is this also known as the 'French braid' or is it different?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, this isn't the French braid, and yes, it is a bit different. The French braid looks like the braid is covered, while the in the Dutch braid, the hair goes under the braid. It's a small but useful distinction.
  • Question
    I have thick hair, and it's always falling out of the braid. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try straightening it completely with a flat iron to make your hair thinner and more sleek for braiding. Make sure to spray with hair spray after as well. Use bobby pins to hold the braid in place.
  • Question
    How do I tie a knot at the end? It keeps unraveling.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use a hair tie to tie in place. Don't tie the hair itself into a knot or it will get knotty.
  • Question
    How do I control the strands of hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You use a hair straightener to smooth it out and to make sure there are no tangles. The hair will just fall into place.
  • Question
    Why doesn't mine look like a braid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You may need to tighten it more.
  • Question
    How do you make the Dutch braid start from higher up on your head?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Start with a smaller section of hair on top of your head, then add as you go.
  • Question
    Can you explain how to do a French braid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Basically, you braid normally but to each strand you braid, add more hair from the side the rest of your hair is on. See further How to French Braid.
  • Question
    Is it possible to do this braid with thin hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Of course! Thickness doesn't really matter as long as you add hair and keep the same pattern.
  • Question
    What if I want a dutch braid but I have very thin hair?
    HamsterDiva101
    HamsterDiva101
    Community Answer
    I have thin hair too. Just grab bigger sections. It's what I do and it works like a charm.
  • Question
    What is the difference between a French and Dutch braid?
    HamsterDiva101
    HamsterDiva101
    Community Answer
    A Dutch is a French reverse. You are right, though; they are very similar.
  • Question
    Is the Dutch braid basically an inside-out French braid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. In a French braid, you go over the hair strands, and in a Dutch braid, you go under the hair strands.
  • Question
    What if I do a twin dutch braid and one side turns out great, but the other looks horrible?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    All you can do is practice and try redoing the braid.
  • Question
    How do I stop my hair from falling out of the braid?
    Alyssa Scott
    Alyssa Scott
    Community Answer
    Do it tightly and as neat as possible, and if needed, use bobby pins to secure it in place. Hairspray can help it to last longer.
  • Question
    How can I stop my arms from hurting while doing this?
    HamsterDiva101
    HamsterDiva101
    Community Answer
    Use a counter or shelf where you can rest your arms. You can also tie your braid with a temporary elastic to let your arms rest for a bit. Whenever you want to start again, just snip the elastic.
  • Question
    For twin dutch braids, do I braid it twice before adding hair? Or do I braid it three times before adding hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You braid it once. So basically every time you add a section of hair you do a part of the braid.
  • Question
    How can I make my braid less messy?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Take your time when adding hair to each strand, and/or wet your hair before doing the braid.
  • Question
    Do I have to do it behind my head?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, you can do it off to the side if you'd prefer.
  • Question
    Do I have to learn how to french braid first?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, but if this seems too difficult then I would start with the French braid, they aren't actually a lot different.
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