Braidtastic Week: How to do French Braid

 A beautiful and classic hairstyle, the French braid is a little challenging to learn at first. To French-braid, follow these steps.

Make sure you know how to do a basic braid. Otherwise, the more complicated French technique will be difficult for you.

Brush or comb the hair thoroughly. Remove any knots or tangles using a wide-toothed comb or favorite brush. Comb out each part, combing the hair straight.

Separate a section of hair from the rest of the hair at the point where you want to begin the braid. A high French braid, for example, should start at the very top of your head.

• It's a good idea to imagine making your hair section V-shaped, with the point of the V going towards the back of your head.
• Though high French braids are common, feel free to vary the location and starting placement of your braid. For example, you can choose to start lower on the head with a section that includes all the hair above your ears. While this will make it easier (less braiding to do), it will result in a thick (rather than an intricate) braid.

Slip the section of hair into three even strands. Be sure that the strands are completely separated all the way to the ends or they will become entangled in each other as you work.

One way to separate the hair into three strands is to hold the section of hair in one hand and use the index and middle fingers of the other hand to separate it into three strands, as shown. Note that, while this article provides some suggestions, you may find your very own variations that work more comfortably for you, or create more desirable results. With practice, you'll get the feel for it.

Cross the rightmost held strand over the middle strand.

• If you're French braiding your own hair, your finger placement will depend on the size of your hands, the length of your fingers, and the thickness of your hair.
• Hold the leftmost strand with your left pinkie while moving the rightmost strand from your right hand to your left. Shift the new rightmost strand (used to be the middle strand) from your left hand to your right.

Cross the leftmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the rightmost strand with your right pinkie, then rotate your left hand so that you can grasp the leftmost strand in your right hand. Shift what used to be the middle strand (and is now the leftmost strand) to your left hand. You now have the beginnings of a regular braid.

Add some hair from the right side of the head to the (new) rightmost strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head and add it to the new rightmost strand.

Cross the rightmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the leftmost strand with the left pinkie, then rotate your left hand so that you can grasp the rightmost strand. Shift the new rightmost strand to your right hand.

Add hair from the left side of the head to the (new) leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand.

Add hair from the left side of the head to the (new) leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand.

Cross the leftmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the rightmost strand with your right pinkie, then rotate your right hand so that you can grasp the leftmost strand. Shift the new leftmost strand (used to be the middle strand) from your right hand to the left.

Add some hair from the right side of the head to the (new) rightmost strand and cross it over the middle strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head, adding it to the rightmost strand currently held in your left hand.

Add some hair from the left side of the head to the (new) leftmost strand and cross it over the middle strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand in your right hand.

Continue French-braiding. Add hair to and alternate between the right- and leftmost strands until there is no more hair to add.

Braid the rest of your hair normally as far down as you can reach. If you have longer hair, bring the braid forward over your shoulder and braid in the opposite direction (instead of folding the strands towards you, you will be folding them away from you).

Tie off or clip the end of the braid with hair tie or clip. You're done!