How to French Braid Your Own Hair for an Elegant Look That’s Easier to Achieve Than You Think

The Gist

• The French braid is a classic hairstyle that is not only protective but universal, perfect for anything from running errands to attending a black-tie event.

• The intricate hairstyle is often seen on celebrities walking the red carpet, including Zendaya, Blake Lively, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Scarlett Johansson.

The French braid is a classic hairstyle that anyone who loves to switch up their style should know how to do. Master the skill, and you can always have an impressive, polished look in a matter of minutes. Whether you’ve got long locks, a short crop, kinky-curly texture, or stick-straight strands, this protective style is sure to flatter. The weaved plait not only helps maintain the health of your hair, but it also makes an accessory out of your tresses. And don’t let the intricacy of the finished product scare you away—French braids are relatively easy to do.

Learning to achieve this hairstyle will just take an afternoon (or even sooner), especially if you’re following our instructions. InStyle spoke with hair experts Bobby Tochterman and Robin Groover to give you a step-by-step tutorial on the best way to French braid your hair, along with pro styling tips to boot.

Keep scrolling to find out how to braid your own hair and earn major compliments.

Meet Our Expert

• Bobby Tochterman is a hairstylist and co-founder of Maverick House NYC.

• Robin Groover is the owner of Too Groovy Salon.

Prep Your Hair

Before you start braiding, you need to prep your hair. Add a bit of leave-in conditioner or mousse to smooth out your strands while adding a bit of grip. This step is especially important for those with fine, straight hair, as the absence of texture can make it hard to grip and guide the strands. The length of your braid determines where to focus on applying product. According to Groover, shorter braids require more product up top to prevent the braids from unraveling, while longer braids require more product on the ends to protect and prevent splitting.

If you have tight curly or coily hair, blowing your hair out before you braid can make the braiding process easier, so you don’t have to work with shrinkage, but it’s not required.

Part Your Hair

Decide on how many braids you want. The number of braids you choose will impact the size. “Large braids give a fuller look; small to medium braids are tighter and have less frizz,” Groover explains.

For one braid, Tochterman advises taking a section of hair from the forehead to the back of the head. Then, split the hair into three equal sections so you have one on the left, one in the middle, and one on the right.

For two braids, “Part the hair down the middle or with a low side part and divide the hair into two sections,” she says. Next, divide the subsection into three small sections.

Tips

For a super sharp part, “the secret weapon is tracing the part with [gel or edge control] for shine and a detailed finish,” says Grover.

Braid Your Hair

Tochterman breaks down the exact steps to French braid. Follow these steps for each braid if you’re doing more than one.

1. Take the right strand and cross it over to the middle.

2. Take the left strand and cross over to the middle.

3. Move all strands over to your left hand, separating them with your fingers. This frees up your right hand to work with.

4. In your left hand, hold each strand between your fingers, with your pinky holding the left strand, the middle finger holding the middle strand, and your index finger holding the right strand.

5. Pick up a small section of hair on the right and add it to the right strand by sliding it between your thumb and index finger to add to the braid.

6. Once hair is added to the right strand, cross the right strand over the middle, and bring all the hair to the right hand. Hold the right strand with your pinky, the middle strand with your middle finger, and the left strand between your index and thumb. This way, you free up your left hand to repeat the same sectioning technique on the other side.

7. Once you have added hair to the left strand, cross over to the middle section.

8. Repeat the right side and left side until you run out of hair to add to the braid.

9. Braid the shaft of the hair down to the ends.

Secure Your Braid

Once you’re done, finish the braid with the hairspray of your choice “to calm flyaways and keep the shape,” Tochterman says. For natural hair, Groover recommends “smoothing and designing your edges” using that same styling wax or the edge control of your choice.

Read the original article on InStyle