How To Make a Perfect Braid

 

Want to be able to master all the cool hairstyles of your dreams? The base to many of the awesome, new braided ‘dos is your classic French braid! Seriously, once you nail this guy down, you’ll basically be able to do any type of pretty plait you want. So, let’s start at the beginning—check out the step by step for a flawless French below.

1. Separate a small section of hair where you want the braid to start into three equally-sized strands. Cross the right section over the middle section so that the original right section is now the middle section. Cross the left section over the middle section so the original left section is now the middle section.

2. Next, starting on the left side, lift a small section of hair to the left of your braid. The key to keeping your braid uniform is to take a section that goes all the way from your hairline back to the braid, not just a chunk from the front.
3. Add the new section to the left strand…

4. …and cross it all over the middle strand.

5. Repeat on the right side, adding more hair to the right strand…

6. …and cross it over the new middle strand.

7. Continue adding hair to each side before you cross over the middle strand.

8. As you braid, keep your hand close to your head. This helps keep the braid tight, so it won’t fall out during the day!

9. Once you reach the nape of your neck, add in the last two sections of hair—if you continue adding hair beyond this point, you’ll get a weird floppy bit at the base of the braid. Continue with a regular three strand braid down the length of your hair and secure.