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Are you trying to grow out your hair? Do you go 3-5 days between washings?  Do you get bored easily with your current hairstyle, but don’t want to take the plunge and chop it off or change it?  If any (or all) of these ring true for you, let me tell you the solution is in the braid! And despite what you think, you can braid!  Braiding is fairly simple, but it does take patience and practice.  I have been braiding my own hair since high school (almost 20 years), so I have a little experience, but I am, by no means, a professional or expert!  I just have a lot of practice.  In this post, I will show you a handful of ways you can use braids to prolong washing, prolong impulsively cutting all of your hair, or just add a certain look or flare to your style.   I will also give you a few tips that might take your current braiding to a new level!  So keep reading, but don’t stop there.  Find a mirror, a daughter, a friend, a doll, whatever or whoever you have access to and get to work!  Knowing how to braid could decrease your get-ready time and save your sanity.  So let’s go!  Here is your Braid How-To Guide that can take your look from Blah to Braid(s).

Tips for beautiful braids

First, let’s start with some tips.  I was braiding for YEARS before I knew about these, and they make such a huge difference in the finished product!

Tip #1: Braiding is easier with second-day hair or product.

If you have natural texture to your hair, then second-day hair is the best to work with.  Not to say you can’t braid it right out of the shower, but that texture allows you to grip your hair easier, which results in a better braid. If your hair is fine and/or thin and/or clean, it is best to add a texturizing product to give it some substance to hold on to.  Here are two products that are great for adding texture!

Tip #2: Section as equally as possible

I am naturally math minded, so this one seems a little obvious to me.  However, one thing teaching taught me was that not all minds are alike.  Soooo, when separating your 3 sections of hair, make sure to separate them as equally as possible.  Not doing so might result in a crooked braid, or undesirable braid.

Tip #3: Fluff your braid

When your braid is complete, (gently) pulling the braid out will dramatically effect the look of the braid (in a good way!)  All of those beautiful braids you see in hair ads or on IG or Pinterest were most likely pulled and “fluffed” to create the big braid look.  Watch how I do this in any of my YouTube tutorials linked below.

Tip #4: End with a finishing spray

Flyaways are inevitable, so ward them off with a hairspray to keep the braid lasting all day long.

 

 

Braid styles

Now that you have some tips how to make braids beautiful, let’s get started with the types of braids that can easily change your look.  Even if it’s to prolong washing one more day, what a difference that can make!  If you are thinking that not washing your hair is disgusting (as I used to), don’t knock it until you try it!  Even if you have fine hair and it gets greasy after one day, consider dry shampoo and a braid.  It might just change your life! 🙂

First thing is first, what is a braid and how do you do it?  If you are brand new to braiding, check out this post, where I briefly discuss how to do a simple braid, French braid, and Dutch braid. 

Or check out my brand new YouTube channel for different braid tutorials!

 

 

One (or Two) Simple Side Braid

I am going to start small.  If you are just starting braiding, this is a great braid for you.  It doesn’t require you to add hair to the braid (French).

Option 1-If hair is parted on the side, take the smaller section, make a single braid, fluff the braid by pulling the pieces out (just a little) and secure back with a bobby pin.

Option 2-If hair is parted in the middle, take a section from one side, braid it, pull it, and pin it back.  Repeat on the other side.

Check out this tutorial on YouTube!

 

Side Dutch (or French) Braid

This braid also has a couple options.

Option 1-Part hair on the side.  Take the side with the most hair and perform and Dutch (or French) braid.  Pin it back underneath the rest of your hair in the back.

Option 2-Instead of pinning it underneath your hair, pull the rest of your hair back in a ponytail.

Check out this tutorial on YouTube!

 

 

Top Knot French Braid

This one requires a little more work for me, since the sides of my hair usually need a little help on day 2 (or 3 or 4)!

Take the top part of your hair, perform a braid until you get to the top of your scalp.  Secure it with a clear plastic. I love the elastics from Goody (see link below). They are strong and last many uses.  Finally, fluff your braid to add volume.  This is when I “fix” the sides of my hair with a straightener or curling wand.

 

 

Check out this tutorial on YouTube!

Pigtail Braids

I know this look may sound a bit juvenile, but it is a great option for going to the gym or running errands.  Leave that baseball cap at home (or use it to prolong hair washing yet another day!) Added bonus-this will give your hair a nice wave if you sleep in it!

Part your hair down the middle (I like to part the first 3 inches on the side, then finish down the middle for variation). Take the front of one side and section it to begin the braid.  Finish the braid and secure with an elastic.  Fluff the braid all the way up to the top (careful not to pull the hair all the way out of the braid!) Repeat on the other side.

Check out this tutorial on YouTube!

 

There you have it!  Your Braid How-To Guide with 6 variations of braids that will allow you to prolong washing or keep from impulsively cutting your hair, save time, and reduce insanity when it comes to styling your hair.

I’d love to know!  What time saving tricks do you use in your hair care regimen?  What other braid styles do you love?