Step-by-Step Guide: How to Braid Your Own Hair For Beginners

If you want to know how to braid your own hair, you’re in the right place. Slayology has the ultimate step-by-step guide for first-timers to ensure your braids are perfect every time.

A well-executed braid is one of the most versatile hairdos. Box braids are as timeless as they are flexible, having been worn by everyone from 1700s Jane Austen characters to Zoë Kravitz on the red carpet in 2019.

The protective design of braids allows them to be worn for days at a time. Braids are particularly beneficial because they prevent damage to the hair from heat styling products. So, if you’re still not an expert at braiding hair, it’s a good time to learn.

Below we'll walk you through how to master the three most popular braided hairstyles: the classic braid, the fishtail braid and the French braid. Do you want to know how much does braiding hair cost in the UK? Well, you’re in luck, because we’re going to cover that and everything else you need to know about braided hair extensions.

How Can You Braid Your Hair Into The Classic Braid?

This is the best starting point for newcomers. Think of it as the fundamental of braiding. Once you have mastered this method, you can build upon it to create more complex styles.

Step 1: Use a brush and detangler to untangle your hair if it's particularly tangled. Using a tiny bit of hair oil can also help tame frizzy hair.

Step 2: Split off three even portions of hair from the back of your neck and bring the hair forward. Then, divide it into three parts: left, right, and centre. The right half should be held in the right hand and the left half in the left.

Step 3: Start braiding. By crisscrossing it over the strand in the middle, the right strand is brought to the centre. The strand that was on the right will now be moved to the centre, and the strand in the middle will be moved to the left. Then the middle strand is moved to the left, and the leftmost strand should be crossed over to the centre.

Step 4: Maintain this pattern by bringing the hair from the right and left sides to the middle. It should be done repeatedly until just 1-2 inches of hair remain. It's up to you to decide how much space you want to leave open. In the end, use a tight hairband to keep the braid in place.

Wasn’t that easy? Now, let’s learn to make a French braid.

How To Braid Your Hair Into A French Braid 

Here's a fun way to step up your braiding game once you've mastered the basics.

Step 1: At the crown of your head, divide your hair into three portions.

Step 2: Braid the hair in one or two rows of a classic braid, crossing the right and left strands over the middle.

Step 3: When you've done this a few times, keep working in the outside-strand-over-centre pattern, but incorporate new hair. Next, cross a small piece of hair from the side of your head that will be crossed over to the other side across the middle.

Step 4: Keep going all the way down until you can't add any more hair. If your hair is very long, you can do a French braid until you reach the nape of your neck and then switch back to a regular braid.

Step 5: After braiding is complete, secure the final one to two inches of hair using a ponytail holder.

How To Braid Your Hair Into A Fishtail Braid

The fishtail braid may look challenging because of its complexity, but it’s not too difficult. Let's break it down.

Step 1: Brush or untangle your hair. Before braiding, quickly curl for volume.

Step 2: Tie your hair at the nape into a ponytail with a disposable hair elastic. Since you'll cut it off, choose an elastic you won't mind losing.

Step 3: Split the ponytail hair in half. Hold the right and left parts in your hands.

Step 4: Now do a two-strand braid like the three-strand braid. Give the right section a tiny chunk from the left section's exterior. Next, move a tiny piece from the right side to the left. Continue until you have an inch or two of hair. Attach a hair tie.

Step 5: Carefully cut the top hair elastic and remove it. You can attempt braiding without the disposable hair tie once you are comfortable, but it gives you greater control. Cut carefully!

Does Braiding Hair Make It Grow?

Braiding hair does not stimulate growth. What you eat and your stress levels will have some impact, but your genes are the most significant factor in how fast your hair will grow. All in all, the rate at which your hair grows has nothing to do with how you wear it.

Where To Find Braiding Hair Near Me?

We know that braiding hair extensions can be time-consuming, and your hair is often one of the first things that people notice about you. That’s why you should choose Slayology! We’re committed to providing the highest quality braids for hairstyles of all types and will do our best to accommodate any special requests regarding your hair colour.

You may be wondering how much does braiding hair cost in the UK? Most of our colour pop braiding hair extensions start from as low as £6.50, and the range can go up to £150, depending on the number of extensions you need. We can even customise an entire wig that suits your personality and is tailored to your instructions!

So, next time you think, “where to braid hair near me” - contact SLAYOLOGY!