The French braid is a classic and beautiful hairstyle. While it may sound complicated, it's actually not that difficult. Once you have learned the basics of the classic braid, you can try to create the French one, even in the "crown" version.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Classic French Braid
Step 1. Prepare your hair
Brush them carefully to remove all the knots, make them soft, smooth and ready to be woven. If you want a single braid that falls behind the head, comb your hair back, moving it away from the forehead.
- If you want a braid that falls to one side or want to create more than one, brush and divide your hair into sections.
- You can style both wet and dry hair. If you braid them when wet, you will have a soft, wavy lock of hair when you untie the braid.
Step 2. Start parting your hair
Start taking a large section from the middle and top of your head. It should be about 7-10 cm wide, and the hair that makes it up should have its roots aligned and not scattered here and there.
- If you have bangs, you can include it in the braid, starting it from the hairline on the forehead; the decision is up to you. To braid it, grab the hair from the middle and top of the head, right above the forehead.
- The section of hair you prepare initially does not determine the size of the finished braid. You can start with a small strand and add hair as you go.
Step 3. Separate the first "section" into three strands
As with normal braids, you also need three to make a French braid. Use your fingers to divide the section you are holding into three equal parts.
Step 4. Begin as if you were doing a regular braid
First, position your hands correctly: grab the three strands so that two are in one hand and the third in the other. Start a classic braid by first bringing the right section to the center, then the left one. Repeat this until you have a normal braid.
Step 5. Add more hair
Continue with the classic braid pattern, but start incorporating more hair. Before crossing a section over the middle section, grab another section on the same side and include it in the weave.
- At each intersection, add more hair. It doesn't matter how thick the new locks you add, but the thinner they are, the more tangled the braid will look.
- Grab some strands from the forehead and neck for a better result. If you take the hair that is only in the central part of the head, it will then be covered by the strands left free.
Step 6. Braid all the hair
As you work your way down to the nape of the neck, you will notice that the free strands decrease. When you are near the nape of your neck, you shouldn't have anything other than the center braid.
Step 7. Finish the braid
Once you have all the strands in, finish as if you were doing a classic braid. Continue working your hair as normal along its entire length. When finished, secure them with a ribbon.
Avoid rubber bands, which tear and break your hair the moment you take it off
Method 2 of 2: Create a Crown with the French Braid
Step 1. Prepare your hair
As before, comb your hair to get rid of knots and make sure it's straight. A crown can be done both on one side and on both sides of the head, so the hair must be divided into strands. You can weave in the center or sideways, as you like.
Step 2. Start with a small section
Grab a section of hair from the side where you want the braid to go. The thickness is important, because it determines the size of the final braid. If you want it to be large, grab a very full lock. Conversely, if you prefer it to be more delicate, take a smaller amount of hair. Generally, it should be about 2.5cm thick.
Step 3. Divide the section into three parts
As with the classic French braid, you will need to divide the initial section into three equal parts. The strands should surround the face (in a crown) rather than heading towards the nape of the neck.
Step 4. Begin to weave
Start the crown as if it were a classic braid, bringing the right strand first, then the left strand towards the center and overlapping them in the meantime.
Step 5. Add more hair as you go
In the French braid you incorporate the hair on both sides of the head. To make the crown, just add the hair on one side.
It doesn't matter which way you incorporate the other hair. What matters is to aggregate them, taking them on the same side
Step 6. Continue weaving around the head
As you go along, a crown or some sort of halo will begin to form. You can choose whether to pass the braid above or below the ear.
- If the braid is single, you can go around the head until you reach the opposite ear or the other part of the head.
- If you want to prepare two braids, stop braiding when you reach the nape of the neck. Secure the first with a rubber band and follow the same procedure on the other side of the head to make the second.
Step 7. Finish the braid
Eventually, you will have no more hair to add. At this point, proceed as if you had created a classic braid up to the end of the strands. Secure them with a rubber band to secure the crown.
Advice
- Braid your hair in front of the mirror to see how you are doing.
- Keep your hair taut as you weave it, but not too tight. A soft braid will not look pretty and may melt during the day.
- Before starting, always comb your hair to get rid of knots.
- Always add identical strands to each step. If you change its thickness, the braid will look uneven. Also, their thickness will affect the style of the hairstyle: if they are thin, the braid will look more intricate, while if they are thick it will seem simpler.
- Stay focused so you don't get confused with the steps.
- This hairstyle is ideal for physical activities such as dancing. However, it is necessary to start the braid above the head and secure it with the barrettes along its entire length.
- Don't forget the hair spray! Gives a neater look to the hairstyle.
- Try ending the braid with a bun or ponytail instead of completing it all the way.
Warnings
- Be careful not to let your hair slip out while doing the braid, otherwise you'll have to start over!
- Your arms may hurt as you go along. Lean forward to relieve tension or lean with your back on something to support it (a headboard or backrest).
