Braiding natural hair involves sectioning, smoothing, and intertwining strands to create a variety of protective styles. Here's a general overview, incorporating tips for success:
Steps to Braiding Natural Hair
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Prepare the Hair:
- Wash and deep condition the hair.
- Detangle thoroughly. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers.
- Apply a leave-in conditioner and/or moisturizer to hydrate the hair.
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Sectioning:
- Decide on the desired braid style (e.g., cornrows, box braids, single braids).
- Section the hair according to the chosen style using a comb for precise parts. Use clips or hair ties to keep the sections separate and organized.
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Smoothing and Applying Product:
- Apply a braiding cream, gel, or pomade to the section you are about to braid. This helps to smooth the hair, reduce frizz, and provide hold. Key to successful styles: make sure your hair is smooth.
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Braiding Technique (Three-Strand Braid):
- Divide the section into three equal strands.
- Cross the right strand over the middle strand.
- Cross the left strand over the new middle strand.
- Repeat this process, alternating sides, until you reach the end of the section.
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Securing the Braid:
- Use a small, snag-free elastic band to secure the end of the braid.
- Alternatively, you can dip the ends in hot water (carefully!) to seal the braid, particularly for styles using braiding hair.
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Repeat: Repeat steps 3-5 on the rest of the sections.
Tips for Successful Natural Hair Braids
- Moisture is Key: Well-moisturized hair is less prone to breakage during braiding.
- Tension Control: Avoid braiding too tightly, as this can lead to hair breakage and scalp damage.
- Clean Parts: Crisp, clean parts make the braid style look more polished.
- Protective Styling: Braids are a great protective style, but make sure to maintain them by moisturizing the scalp and hair regularly.
- Braiding Hair (Optional): For styles like box braids or twists, braiding hair can be added for length, volume, or color.
Different Braid Styles
- Cornrows: Braids that are close to the scalp, created by adding hair to each strand as you braid.
- Box Braids: Individual braids where extensions are added, creating a "boxed" off section.
- Single Braids (Plaits): Simple three-strand braids that hang freely.
- Twists: A two-strand technique that involves wrapping two sections of hair around each other.
