How to Braid on Your Own Hair for Compliment-Worthy Results

Prepping your hair

Before you start braiding, properly prepare your hair so the process is easy and you get amazing results. First, gently detangle your hair with a brush or comb. If your hair is prone to tangles, try a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair smooth and tangle-free all day. Frizzy and dry hair can be hard to braid, so we recommend using hair oil for hydration and smoothing. Hair oils will smooth and nourish your hair, aiding the braiding process and repairing your hair while it’s braided. 

Say goodbye to using endless amounts of dry shampoo. A braid is an easy and classic style for second or third-day hair if you wake up feeling like your hair doesn’t look its best. You also don’t need long hair to braid it; there are many fun multi-braid styles for short-haired folks.

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How to braid: 4 popular styles explained

This braid tutorial will walk you through four braid styles. We recommend you start with the first braid tutorial if you’re new to the practice. The other styles are a little more complex but still easy to do on your own once you’ve mastered the traditional, three-strand braid.

1. Three-strand braid

The three-strand braid is most likely what you picture when you hear “braid.”  This tutorial is super simple, making it ideal for beginners. 

1. Separate your hair into three equal sections. 
2. Take the right strand and place it over the middle section. The right strand should now be the middle strand.
3. Take the left strand and cross it over the new middle strand.
4. Repeat the process until your braid is the desired length. 
5. Once your braid is complete, secure it with a hair elastic.

2. Fishtail braid

The fishtail braid is a little more complex than the traditional braid, but it makes a beautiful pattern.

1. Starting at the top of your head, divide your hair into two equal sections.
2. Take a small section of hair from the right side and cross it over to the left section. Hold the small right piece and left side together as one.
3. Then, take a small piece from the left section and join it with the large right half of your hair. 
4. Repeat this process until you have no more hair to braid. Then, secure it with a hair tie. 

3. French braid

A french braid is another classic style that’s perfect for pulling your hair away from your face. Here’s how to french braid:

1. Take the hair on the top of your head and divide it into three equal sections. 
2. Do one row of a classic three-strand braid. 
3. Hold the three-strand braid with one hand, keeping all the strands separate.
4. Take a horizontal section from the right side of your head and add it to the right strand. 
5. Cross the right section over to the middle, just like you would with a three-strand braid. 
6. Take a horizontal section from the left side of your head and add it to the left strand in the three-strand braid. 
7. Cross the left strand over to the middle.
8. Repeat this process until you have no more hair to add to the braid. 
9. Braid any remaining hair into a three-strand braid and secure with a hair elastic.

4. Dutch braid

A dutch braid is perfect for taming frizz and unruly hair, all while wearing a chic hairstyle. Learning how to dutch braid comes easily after mastering french braiding, so if you have french braiding down, this style will feel like a breeze. 

1. Start at the top of your head and take three sections of hair. 
2. Do a three-strand braid for one row.
3. While holding the three-strand braid with your left hand, take a horizontal section of hair with your right hand and add it to the right strand. 
4. Take the right strand and cross it under the middle strand. This will create an inverted french braid. 
5. Repeat the process with your left side. 
6. Once you have incorporated all your hair into the braid, finish with a three-strand braid.

Practice and patience 

Don’t worry if you're not perfect at braiding immediately. Learning takes time. Try using a small section of hair to practice your braids before moving on to full hairstyles. If you have flyaways or loose strands, secure them with bobby pins to make your braid look uniform. Hairspray will also help smooth flyaways, although you most likely won’t need hairspray to secure your braid. 

Get creative

Even if you have short hair, you can try a french braid or braid the front pieces of hair. 

If you want loose waves, put wet hair into braids before bed so it dries in the hairstyle. 

Secure your hair with clear elastics or scrunchies for a gentler option. Use colorful scrunchies to make a statement or match your outfit to elevate your hairstyle.

How do I start braiding my hair?

We recommend starting with a classic three-strand braid. This is the simplest style, and once you’re confident doing three-strand braids, you can move to more complex styles. Practice with small strands in front of your face first so you can see what you’re doing.

Learning how to braid your own hair for beginners might seem daunting, but once you have it down, you’ll be braiding in your sleep. Don’t forget to check out the reviews on Flip regarding the best hair oil and hair brushes for braided hairstyles. 

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