6 different ways to do a french braid

If you don't know, now you know...

Technically, the French braid includes three sections of hair that are braided together from the crown of the head to the nape of the neck, while incorporating other sections of hair. To us, the French braid means an easy, yet intricate looking way of getting our hair out of our face. In fact, it's one of our favourite plait hairstyles. So, if you want to get on board, but don't know how to do a french braid, follow these easy step by step guides.

How to do a french braid step by step

1. Brush the hair to get rid of any tangles and then brush it backwards so that the hair is all going in one direction.
2. Grab a big chunk of hair, about 3 - 4 inches wide, from the crown of the head.
3. Separate this chunk into three pieces. Then begin a traditional braid. Hold two strands in one hand, and the third strand in the other.
4. Cross the 'right' strand over to the centre. Then, cross the 'left' strand from over to the centre. Repeat until you've made a few rows of a traditional braid.
5. Continue this traditional braid, but add in other pieces of hair as you go. Always add the piece of hair to the one you're just about to cross over the centre.
6. Every time you cross over, work in another small piece of hair.
7. Eventually bring all of your hair into the braid. This will naturally happen as you work down the length of your hair.
8. Secure at the end with an elastic.

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How to do a french braid on yourself

This is done much the same way that you would do a braid on someone else. However, when you're doing it on yourself, to keep it neat, use your middle finger to hold the outside section and your thumb to bring in a new section.

How to french braid bangs

1. Create a deep side part at least two inches back from your hairline.
2. Gather an inch of hair at your hairline, next to the parting and separate into three sections.
3. Cross the front section of your hair over the centre.
4. Then, cross the back section over the 'new' centre section of hair.
5. Continue this, taking in new hair from each outside section until you've incorporated your whole fringe.
6. Secure with an elastic.

How to do a french braid headband

1. Part your hair to one side.
2. Gather an inch of hair on one side, at your parting and separate into three sections.
3. Then begin a traditional braid. Hold two strands in one hand, and the third strand in the other.
4. Cross the 'right' strand over to the centre. Then, cross the 'left' strand from over to the centre. Repeat until you've made a few rows of a traditional braid.
5. Continue this traditional braid, but add in other pieces of hair as you go. Always add the piece of hair to the one you're just about to cross over the centre.
6. Every time you cross over, work in another small piece of hair.
7. Once you've braided down to behind your ear, secure with a clear elastic.
8. Then, repeat on the other side.

How to do a french braid bun

1. Put your hair up in a ponytail, leaving 2 inches of hair out at the front.
2. Take 2 sections of hair from the front bits you left out and 1 section of hair from your ponytail.
3. Cross the small ponytail section of hair over the middle section and then cross the left section over the 'new' middle section.
4. Before you repeat cross-over motion with the right section, take some additional hair from the pony tail and add it to this section.
5. Then repeat with the left section and continue the process. Your braid will move around your bun as you go.
6. Once all the additional strands have been gathered, continue braiding in a regular style braid until it reaches the end of your hair.
7. Wrap the end of your braid around your bun and then pin into place.

How to do a french braid on the side

1. Part your hair to the side.
2. Take a section of hair from where your parting begins and separate into three sections.
3. Now take the
4. the 'right' strand over to the centre. Then, cross the 'left' strand from over to the centre. Repeat until you've made a few rows of a traditional braid.
5. Continue this traditional braid, but add in other pieces of hair as you go. Make sure you only add in one half side, though.