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While almost every length of hair can, in theory, pull off a braid, Rubenstein says that it's much easier to braid on shoulder-length hair or longer. She also says that it's important to keep your sections as clean as possible to avoid getting overwhelmed. "It's a good idea to practice on someone else a lot before attempting to braid on yourself," she says. Do you want to take your hair styling game to the next level?
How to French braid your own hair:
Unlike traditional box braids, this style doesn't have the traditional knot at the top of each braid. Instead, it is achieved by feeding in the hair mid-braid. "This technique can take longer to install, but it's worth the health of the hair and scalp." If you're just learning, and if the hair you're braiding is long enough, it may help to start with a low ponytail and braid the hair from there. This approach ensures that you won't end up with uneven hair around the crown of the head, which can happen when braiders aren't practiced at maintaining even tension or clean sections. You can even remove the elastic at the base of the head afterward.
Heart Pull-Through Braid
Now, cross the left section over the middle section. Turning the wrist in an overhand motion, cross the right section over the middle section. The right section has now become the middle section.
Rastafri Original Classic Pre-Stretched 100 Percent Kanekalon
Is there anything cuter than a braid literally in the shape of a heart?! We can’t get enough of this style and surprisingly do-able tutorial. What happens when you combine a waterfall and French braid together? Also known as a false braid, the rope braid is technically more of a twist than a typical plait.
The 14 Different Types of Braids and How to Create Them, According to Stylists
How to watch the final live performances of 'Jaja's African Hair Braiding' from your living room - Mashable
How to watch the final live performances of 'Jaja's African Hair Braiding' from your living room.
Posted: Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you prefer a more subtle contrast for your ombré versus a stark transition, this braiding hair brand was basically made for you. The hair goes from dark to light so seamlessly, giving your braided style a more natural look. That said, there's just something incredibly cool about a braid — be it a side braid, pigtail braids, or a high ponytail braid. It's a style that works as well on the red carpet as it does on your couch at home.
This shouldn’t matter much with braids since in most cases, as your own hair will be hidden within the twists or plaits. Kanekalon hair also can’t withstand hot tools, but again, that's a non-issue since braids don’t require heat styling. With passion twist styles, you need to find silky braiding hair that’s curly—not too tight, not too loose—to achieve the boho-inspired look.
While rope braids work on most hair types (preferably ones with lots of length), it can be harder for straight hair to hold the style. To help the braid stick, Redway recommends working in a few pumps of the TRESemmé Extra Hold Volumizing Mousse ($8). To help manage the overwhelm, we've gathered together 14 of the most popular braided hairstyles and supplemented them with celeb photos so you can see what each style looks like, IRL. We were also sure to add a couple of tips, tricks, and tutorials along the way. Anyone who has had to separate braiding hair knows how easy it is to end up with a tangled mess. Thankfully, you won’t have that problem with this braiding hair brand—it’s smooth and lightweight, so you can braid without constantly detangling.
Freetress' Clean Therapy hair is pre-rinsed in vinegar to get rid of any harsh or damaging chemicals that can irritate skin. In essence, think of a Dutch braid like a bolder version of a French braid. All it requires is that you reverse the French braid technique. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love.
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If you need a little refresher, head to YouTube for pointers (no judgment—braiding takes a lot of time and patience). A fishtail braid is one of our all-time favorite styles as it's playful and unexpected. It's easy to distinguish from other braids since it looks like a mirror reflection of itself. Storm Reid shows us how it's done by styling her box braid, fishtail braid off to one side. "Once you master the rhythm of a basic braid, you can move on to more intricate styles," Rubenstein says.
You can also add a nickel-sized dollop of gel to the hair for a sleeker look. The crème de la crème of braiding here is X-Pression hair. It's super affordable and comes in a bevy of styles. Add a few rollers and boiling hot water to achieve the curly look of your dreams. Passion twists are the lovechild of twists and goddess locs. Equal parts messy and polished, this hair can be used for passion twists or can be wrapped around braids for a bohemian touch.
They're normally positioned from front to back, but she put a unique twist on a classic look by wearing hers pulled back with a wired braid construction artfully crafted around it. To help maintain your style, Dorsey recommends spritzing on the Dark and Lovely Hair Refresher For Protective Styles ($15). But the number one way to get better at braiding is just to practice constantly. "There is a lot of technique involved in braiding, especially when you get into the more complex styles," she says. "However, there is a certain rhythm to braiding that comes from experience and confidence."

You know those bohemian box braids that Zoe Kravitz rocks? Yeah, you’re not getting that hairstyle with just any regular ol’ braiding hair. This option is made from human hair, not synthetic, which means the final result is lighter weight, super sleek, and gives off a more natural-looking vibe.
Without it, the rest of these braids are not possible. To try for yourself, section hair into three strands. Take the left piece and cross it over the middle, making it the new middle. Then, take the right-most piece and cross it over the middle, making it the new middle. Repeat this process over and over until you reach the end of your strands. Knotless braids have gained popularity for being a more lightweight, natural-looking alternative to box braids.
And she's sharing her step-by-step for a basic braid just below. You can also follow the videos below if you prefer a more visual guide. For a sleeker, tighter braid, Rubenstein suggests Gorilla Snot. "It's a super-strong gel which will create a more severe look," she says.
The hair comes with subtle curls and natural shades for a realistic look. Shay Mitchell demonstrates one of the many ways you can wear this style. Appropriate for any hair type, the three-strand braid can be tightly kept or intentionally loosened to show volume and body. Latched and Hooked's hair comes pre-stretched—a hairstylist's dream—with tapered ends to reduce the need for any further cutting or styling. The worst thing that could ever happen to you after an install is learning that you're allergic to the hair used.