To do a front braid hairstyle, you typically create a braid that follows your hairline using a technique where you add new sections of hair as you braid. This often involves crossing strands underneath each other to make the braid stand out.
Understanding the Technique
A common method for a front braid, often referred to as a Dutch braid when done underhand, involves separating sections and feeding new hair into the braid as it progresses along your head. The reference provided describes a key step in this technique:
- Adding Hair and Crossing Underneath: When adding a piece of hair to the braid, you "Put it underneath." Then, you "take the front piece and put it underneath in the center." This action is described as being "just like a regular braid" in terms of the general three-strand movement, but the underneath crossing is specific to creating a braid that sits on top of the hair. The process is repeated, taking "that one more time from the back piece to the center."
Steps for a Front Braid (Using the Underhand Technique Described)
Here's a breakdown of the process, incorporating the referenced steps:
- Prepare Your Hair: Start with detangled hair. You can apply a styling product like a light mousse or spray for grip if desired.
- Section the Starting Point: Part your hair where you want the braid to begin (e.g., near your temple). Take a small section of hair.
- Divide and Start Braiding: Divide this small section into three equal strands.
- Begin the Underhand Cross:
- Take the strand from the back (the one closest to the back of your head) and cross it underneath the middle strand.
- Now take the strand from the front (closest to your face) and cross it underneath the new middle strand. You have completed one basic braid stitch underneath.
- Incorporate New Hair (The Key Step):
- As described in the reference, take a new small section of hair from the front (along your hairline).
- Combine this new section with the front-most strand of your three braid strands.
- "Put it underneath." - This means take this combined strand and cross it underneath the middle strand.
- Now, take a new small section of hair from the back (the hair immediately behind the braid).
- Combine this new section with the back-most strand of your three braid strands.
- "And then take the front piece and put it underneath in the center." - Correction based on typical Dutch braid: The reference description "take the front piece and put it underneath in the center" after putting it underneath seems slightly redundant or perhaps describes the next front piece action. A more standard sequence following the "Put it underneath" for the combined front piece would be to then combine hair with the back piece and cross it underneath the new middle strand. The reference confirms this type of movement: "And I'll do that one more time from the back piece to the center." which reinforces the idea of taking the back piece and moving it towards the center (underneath). The core principle is taking a side strand (with added hair), crossing it underneath the middle, making it the new middle, and then repeating with the other side.
- Continue Braiding: Repeat step 5, adding new hair from along your hairline (front) and the section behind the braid (back) to the working strands before crossing them underneath to the center. Follow the curve of your head/hairline.
- Finish the Braid: Once you run out of hair to add, continue braiding the remaining three strands regularly using the underhand method until you reach the end.
- Secure: Tie off the end of the braid with a small elastic band. You can leave the rest of your hair down, tie it up, or connect the braid to another part of your hairstyle.
Tips for Success
- Keep your sections clean and consistent in size for an even braid.
- Use a mirror or two to see the back of your head.
- Start loosely and tighten as you go if needed.
- Practice makes perfect!
This technique, where strands are crossed underneath and new hair is added, is how you create a front braid that visibly sits on top of your hair, often referred to as a Dutch braid along the hairline.
