Due to their natural fullness and thickness, it can be tricky to make African American braids, but with a little help you will be able. String braids and tight braids are the classic hairstyles for afro hair, which you can prepare without going to the hairdresser. Treat your hair gently and take your time! Your efforts will be rewarded.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Box Braids (or Synthetic Hair for Making Pigtails)
Step 1. Prepare your hair
Start washing them as usual, and after shampooing, use a moisturizing conditioner to soften them. Once the conditioner is rinsed off, use a fine-toothed comb to remove any knots from roots to ends. Then turn on the hairdryer at a low temperature until the curls are almost completely dry. Brush your hair one more time to make sure there are no tangles and you will be ready to start your pigtails.
Step 2. Prepare the hair for braiding
Box braids use very long synthetic hair that fills the spaces on the scalp and gives fullness to the braids. Choose a color similar to yours and get at least two large packs. Then, take them out of the package and, keeping them in the center, cut the rubber bands that hold them together. Begin to liven them up on one side, keeping them folded in the center and with the ends down. This will give the tips a more natural look, otherwise the synthetic hair will fall out too neatly and the braids will look like fake when you're done.
- As you pull the strands, gently tug while grabbing small portions of hair, not too large.
- Stick your fingers through your hair when you're done tweaking the tips to remove any knots that may form.
Step 3. Get a lock of hair to braid
Extract a section about 5-7 cm wide from the synthetic hair. Next, separate ⅓ of this section - you should get two strands of which one is twice as thick as the other. Ring the thinner one in the center around the thicker one, so that the ends turn in opposite directions (like this: “> <”). Take the smaller one and grab it in the center, where it overlaps the first. Twist it gently on itself making sure that the two sections form a single piece that will slip between the other two strands.
You should find yourself with three roughly equal strands, to be held in one hand
Step 4. Divide the hair on the scalp
Use a rat tail comb to carefully separate a small strand of hair on the scalp, approximately 2.5x2.5cm. It will probably be easier to start at the side near the hairline and work backwards, but you can start anywhere you find comfortable. Use a little oil or gel to prepare the strand to make it easier to manage.
Step 5. Start the first braid
Keep the hair synthetic so that the first strand is between the thumb and forefinger, the second between the index and middle fingers and the third free behind the first two. Grab the section of real hair with your thumb and forefinger as close to the root as you can. To begin the braid:
- Run your free hand around your head and take the third strand left hanging behind the hair held in the other hand.
- At the same time, bring the third strand of synthetic hair down and incorporate the scalp hair in the portion that is between the thumb and forefinger and pass it over in the opposite direction.
- Bring the third lock of hair to the center, between the other two. At this point you should have three separate strands of hair attached to your scalp, with your hair embedded in one of the three.
Step 6. Braid your hair
With the synthetic hair applied as close to the root as possible, start braiding normally: alternate placing the left strand in the center and then the right strand. As you reach the end of the braid, the strands should decrease in volume and form a rather thin braid. There is no need to use a rubber band to stop it, since the fake hair should stand on its own.
Step 7. Incorporate more hair
Repeat the previous steps to make more braids to apply all over the head
- Separate a 2.5x2.5cm section of hair from the scalp and apply some oil or gel.
- Prepare the synthetic hair and divide it into three strands.
- Twist them to apply them to your hair and create a braid.
- Complete the work following the classic braid pattern up to the tips.
Step 8. Perfect each braid
It is important not to rush so that the weave is smooth, flexible and even. If you notice any hair sticking out or knots forming, you will have to undo the braid and start over. If it's your natural hair that's sticking out of the synthetic, remove the hair strand and add a little oil or gel to soften the hair and reduce frizz.
- Perhaps it will be necessary to braid the same strands several times for them to be perfect.
- If the braid is uneven, you may have started with strands of different thicknesses. You will need to unravel it and divide the synthetic hair into three parts again.
Method 2 of 3: Tight-fitting pigtails
Step 1. Prepare your hair
Since you are likely to keep your braids for several consecutive weeks, you may want to start with your hair washed with shampoo and conditioner. Wash them with your normal shampoo and then use a moisturizing conditioner to soften them. You can also apply a hair oil, as you weave, to keep them smooth, frizz-free and easy to control and manage.
Step 2. Decide which side to make the braids
Tight braids can be worked in any direction, so it's important to decide before you start which way they'll go. To make them, there are two most common methods: preparing rows of hair that start from the hairline and reach the nape of the neck, or weave in a circular direction around the head starting from a central area. You will need to use a rat tail comb to separate the hair along the desired line and divide it into portions to braid.
Step 3. Part your hair
Fill a spray bottle with water and some olive oil and shake well. Then, spray the solution along the section of hair to be braided. Use the comb to separate this portion into a row that will go all over the head. The smaller the lock, the smaller the braid will be; the bigger the lock, the bigger the braid will be. Use butterfly clips to keep the rest of the hair away from your face.
Step 4. Start the first tight braid
Grab the lock of hair in one hand and pull a small piece of it from the top (near the hairline), away from the rest of the group. Separate this small portion of hair into three equal-sized parts, which you will begin to weave as you would with a classic braid: cross the right one over the central one, then the left one over the central one, back and forth.
Step 5. Add more hair
The tight braids are formed from hair weaves distributed according to the French braid pattern, very close to the head. As you work with the strands and work your way down to the nape of the neck, continue braiding in the same way you started. However, in the meantime, grab small portions of hair from the non-braided part and incorporate them into each strand that you go to cross over the middle one. Basically you will have to create very thin French braids.
- When you add more hair, tighten the braid and keep your fingers close to your head.
- Do not weave them in the opposite direction, otherwise the braids will be loose and look funny.
Step 6. Finish the braid
By the time you get to the nape of your neck, chances are you won't have any more hair to add. If you have short hair, finish the braid by twisting the ends together to protect them and prevent them from falling apart. If you have longer hair, continue the braid past the nape of your neck closing it like a regular braid. Twist the tips to secure it when you're done.
- You can use small, light-colored elastic bands to secure tight braids if you are worried about them coming loose.
- Some people apply a few beads to the ends of each braid for a decorative touch.
Step 7. Fill the head with tight braids
Braid the rest of the hair, dividing it into even strands. The process can take a long time, so don't be alarmed if you need to take several hours to finish it. Make sure each braid is the same size and follow the same pattern, so you get a well-proportioned and neat hairstyle.
- If there is any hair sticking out of the braids, you may not have softened it sufficiently and you have not tightened the braids enough during the process. Add some oil or gel to fix it.
- You will likely need someone's help to make sure that all rows are even and parallel, particularly on the back of the head.
Method 3 of 3: Twisted Pigtails with Two Strands
Step 1. Prepare your hair
Just like the other methods, you'll need to soften your hair and get rid of any knots before you start. Wash them as usual, and then use a moisturizing conditioner to soften them. It is easier to prepare this hairstyle if the hair is wet or at least slightly damp, so don't dry it completely before starting. Use a comb to remove any tangles or knots that may form.
Step 2. Decide on the size of the pigtails
You have various options when you need to make two strand braids. The most obvious decision to make is their size. You can make small twists made up of dozens of thin braids or larger twists, made up of portions of hair of 2.5 cm or more. The small ones last much longer than the others, but the process obviously takes more time. Decide on the size based on your personal style and the amount of time you can devote to this hairstyle.
Step 3. Prepare the first section
Use a rat tail comb to separate a portion of hair of the desired size. It should be square in shape. Apply a little gel or cream to your hair and spray a mix of water and olive oil to reduce frizz and make it easier to handle. Use the comb several times to detangle this portion and make sure the hair is completely smooth and free of knots.
Step 4. Start twisting the first section
Divide the portion of hair into two equal strands. Start wrapping them tightly, away from your head, as if they were following the string pattern; it will be sufficient to wrap the locks together at the same time to create a twist. To keep it looking neat, you'll want to twist it tight from the root as you work.
Step 5. Finish the first twist
When towards the end of the strand you no longer have hair to twist, you will need to make a twist made of a single strand to stop the ends. Therefore, take the two strands and pull them together (there shouldn't be a lot of hair left at this point). Then, wrap this portion around your finger several times, in the same direction you were twisting the two strands of hair. In this way the tips of the hair will curl in the same direction, closing the twist.
Step 6. Repeat the process to create more twisted braids
Continue braiding the other hair until you have filled the head with pigtails. The process is exactly the same for each twist. Just make sure that each strand contains the same amount of hair so that all the braids are the same size.
- Separate a small portion of hair, comb it and apply the gel, cream or oil.
- Divide it into two equal strands.
- Wrap them around each other until you have a rope-shaped braid.
- Twist the ends of the two strands together to protect them and prevent the braid from unraveling.
Advice
- You can incorporate extensions or synthetic hair by following one of these hairstyles for a more complete look.
- If you are unsure of how to braid your hair without damaging it or if you are dissatisfied with your overall look, visit a hairdressing salon or shop that specializes in African American hairstyles.
- If your hair is short or medium to long, but you'd like to alternate between various African American hairstyles, incorporate synthetic hair or extensions into your braids. You will add length and volume to the hairstyle.
- You can add a few beads in your hair as you weave it.
- You can also make the braids look shinier by applying some hair grease (or oil).
Warnings
Don't try to hold synthetic hair for a long time if yours is already brittle, weak or damaged. When worn for a long period of time, they can ruin the canopy, causing irreparable damage
Which you will need
- Shampoo
- Balm
- Comb (narrow-toothed or medium-wide)
- Hair ties or rubber bands
