The Basic Braid
Braids can be really easy to do once you know how, but it can take some practice to get the coordination and pattern down when you’re learning how, especially since you’re generally doing it behind your head.
The braid you see most often is the basic English braid. It’s really easy to do and a great way to keep your hair out of the way. I use it when I travel to keep my hair from tangling.
Brush your hair thoroughly. Separate into three sections. Comb smooth again if necessary, as sometimes hair tangles as you separate the sections.
Cross the section on the right over the middle section, so that it is now the middle section.
Pull all the sections to tighten the braid.
Cross the section on the left over the middle section so that it is now the middle section.
Pull all sections to tighten the braid.
Repeat until the entire length is braided.
It is very important to get all three sections about the same size. Hair length can vary somewhat, and since the hair in the front of your head has farther to go to get to the back of your head, it is easy to have one section much shorter than the others, cutting your braid perhaps shorter than you would like, or making one section visibly thinner than the others.
The challenge is to learn to keep the sections separate. You might want to practice on a friend’s hair or on some rope. This will help you to get the feel for how braiding works. I generally hold the outer sections with my thumbs and use my index and middle finger to move the middle section as appropriate to create the braid.
