How to French Braid Hair

Aren't you impressed by those women who can french braid their own hair?! 

Learning to create the classic hairstyle doesn't take long and is a skill that you can pass on to your children and your children's children.

You don't need any fancy hair styling products, just follow below.

French Braiding Instructions:

• you must have fairly long hair to be able to braid it. The shortest layers must reach shoulder length, otherwise it will not stay up
• start by having the hair either slightly wet, slightly dirty (day after shampooing) or have a spray mist you can use. If the hair is too clean the strands will not stay put when braiding
• take a small section of hair from the front centre of you hair, pull it backwards and separate this into 3 sections, holding one part with one hand and two parts with the other
• to cross the layers, take the section in your right hand and put this over the section in the centre, then take the section to the left and cross this over the middle, repeat
• to make this a French braid, you must add sections of hair in with each left/right hand intake. Make these intakes as even as you can for a more professional look
• you can vary how tightly you pull, as to how you want the final look to appear, the looser the braid, the softer the look.

New Braiding Hairstyles

On the catwalk for this season, there was one hairstyle that really stood out. This was a sort of bouffant style with a long braid coming from the top of the neck and round to the side, so it hung in front. This style looked very elegant and soft, and would be a very wearable look for everyday.

To create a similar style, start a normal plait from the nape of your neck (the top) and plait this down over your décolletage (chest). This should be fairly quick and simple for most people to do, as long as there is enough hair to plait. To secure you can use either plenty of hairspray, cute hairgrips or an alice band.

The best beauty tip to complete this look is to go for a very soft look, and to focus on using blusher and foundation to create a great natural colour. This is sure to become one of this seasons most beautiful trends.

You can also find info at Braided Image on French, Dutch and five strand techniques - as well as picture of some cool styles.

Further Resources & Links

Easy Updos - simple styles for your homecoming or prom

Folica.com - create amazing hairstyles with top designer products

Updos for Hair - beautiful style for that special occasion or wedding