You already know how to create a three-strand braid, but if you’ve ever seen a more complicated braid and wondered, ‘How do I do that?’,keep reading.
From a dutch braid to a lobster tail, Kayley Pak, braid specialist at the John Barrett Salon in Bergdorf Goodman, shows and tells you how to weave the perfect plait.
1. Regular French braid
Start by brushing your hair back with a boar bristle paddle brush so it’s smooth. Then, take a comb (you can also use your fingers) to section your hair off in a “V” formation from your temples to the crown of your head. Next, take three pieces of hair from that section and begin braiding them, making sure to incorporate more hair from each side of your head each time you cross the hair over. Repeat this until the ends.
SOURCEgoodhousekeeping.com
2. Dutch braid, a.k.a. the inverted French
To create an inside-out French braid (note: this is also how you braid cornrows), repeat all the steps above, but then when you begin braiding, cross the sections of hair underneath one another, rather than over each other.
3. Halo braid
Part your hair down the center. Starting at the nape of your neck on your left side, begin creating an inverted French braid following your hairline. Continue doing so the entire way around your head until you’ve braided all your hair. Finally, tuck and secure the ends under the braid and you’re done!
4. Chainlink braid
Start with a low ponytail and wrap a piece of hair around the hair tie so it looks polished. Then create four sections — to make this easy, label them in your head as one, two, three, four from left to right. First, take the third piece and cross it over the second piece, then take the fourth section and cross it under the second and third sections, and then over the third section. Next, drop the second piece and bring the first section under the third and fourth pieces. Continue this sequence until you’ve reached the ends.
5. Braid to bun
To achieve this look, Dutch braid the top half of your hair from your temples to the back of your head and secure each braid. Then, crisscross them at the back of the hair, and clip them up.
Next, braid the remaining bottom half of your hair in a regular three-strand braid and wrap it into a bun. Bobby pin it to keep it secure. Finally, wrap the two crisscrossed braids around the first bun and pin it into place.
6. Big, voluminous braid
Start by curling your hair and teasing it at the hairline and crown to create major volume. Then, pull your hair over to the desired side and begin French braiding it, taking sections of varied thicknesses to make it appear thicker. Continue this technique to the ends, and then secure your style with an elastic band and hairspray.
7. Lobster tail braid
Grab a section of hair from the nape of your neck and braid it, leaving the rest of your hair over your opposite shoulder. Then, take the remaining hair and wrap it under and over your braid, creating a coiled, piece-y effect, until you’ve reached the hair tie. Finally, tuck the wrapped hair into the elastic and voilà!
8. French braid turned top knot
Flip your head over and begin French braiding from the nape of your neck to just before the crown of your head. Secure the braid with a hair tie and wrap the hair around the base of the elastic and pin it into place. Boom: a gorgeous, unconventional bun.
