Braiding your own hair is no easy task, but it’s certainly not impossible. With these helpful tips, you’ll be braiding your hair like a pro in no time. Read on to find out how to score these awesome braided styles on your very own hair.

How to Braid Your Own Hair

The trick to braiding your hair is to dampen your hair slightly or spray some hairspray to give you more control over your locks. Dry, frizzy, or static hair will be very difficult to braid. You want to make sure your hair is ready for braiding before you even attempt any braided hairstyle.

Next, you’ll want to equip yourself with a fine-toothed rat-tail comb and some light-hold hairspray. Once your hair is all set, you’ll be ready to dive into the art of braiding your own hair.

Different Types of Braids

Here are some of the types of braids you can try on your own with these handy tips to mastering the art of braids.

French Braids

Here are the ultimate tips to learn how to French braid your own hair:

1. Comb through your hair to remove any and all tangles.
2. Use a rat-tail comb (or your fingers if it’s easier for you) to section off a triangular piece of hair starting at the forehead and reaching over the crown.
3. Separate that triangular section into three strands and twist one over the other until all three have been moved.
4. Next, grab the original piece (if you start on the left, you’ll be reaching for the left again) and grab some loose hair next to it to tie into the braid.
5. Repeat this until you are done with the braid and have woven in all of your loose hair.

Side Braids

Learning how to do a side braid is easier than you think. Here are the steps to keep in mind:

1. Part your hair to one side, with most of your hair on that side.
2. Brush through to remove tangles and separate the hair well.
3. Grab a section on top and split it into three sections.
4. Cross the right section over the middle, and then the left over the middle.
5. Repeat the pattern, grabbing loose hair with each repeat until you reach the end, and all the hair is tied up.
6. Secure with a clear elastic.

Two Braids

Here are some tips to securing two flawless braids on each side of your head:

1. Separate your hair down the middle with a rat-tail comb. Tie up one side with an elastic and start working on the other side.
2. Grab the top section and separate it into three sections. Move the left strand over the middle and then the right. Each time you pull hair over, grab some of the loose hair with it.
3. Repeat until you reach the end and all the hair is tied up. Secure with a clear elastic.
4. Repeat the same on the other side.

Braid Crown

This regal look isn’t as hard to achieve as you might think. Here are some tips to acing this look yourself:

1. Separate your hair straight down the middle with a rat-tail comb. Tie up one side, and get to work on the opposite side.
2. Grab your hair from the root in a small section and divide it into three sections.
3. Follow the same twisting pattern as the French braid, but instead of aiming vertically, you will build your braid horizontally.
4. Grab more hair from the root each time you add in new hair to ensure the brad stays horizontal.
5. Continue until all the hair is braided, and no more loose hair is left on that side.
6. Repeat on the other side. Wrap one braid around your head and secure it in place with a bobby pin. Do the same with the other side.
7. Tuck in the ends that jut out.

How to Braid Short Hair

If you have shorter hair, it doesn’t mean braids are off-limits. The Waterfall Braid is a style that looks absolutely stunning on short, wavy hair. It stretches across the back of your head rather than all the way down. This look is similar to the crown braid but much simpler and looser:

1. Use dry shampoo to give your hair texture and better grip.
2. On one side, grab a section of hair at the root and split into three sections.
3. As you weave one over the other, be sure to keep the middle strand out of the weave. Just allow it to pass through the crisscrossing of the two sections.
4. Continue until you have worked your way all around.
5. Secure with a clear elastic and a bobby pin.

Top Braiding Tips

Whether it’s a short braid style or French braid pigtails, the key is working with the right products to set yourself up for success. You’ll also want at least two mirrors so you can see your work from every angle as you work your way down each braided hairstyle.

The art of braiding relies heavily on experience. The more you practice, the better your technique will become. Hair with a little more grit (thank you, dry shampoo) will be easier to work with. And remember to add finishing spray at the end to prevent flyaways from ruining all of your hard work.

The Bottom Line

Braiding hair gets easier with practice. The best way to achieve flawless braids is to start by practicing on someone else. Once you get the technique down, you can start working on yourself.

For additional guidance, look up some YouTube tutorials by your favorite influencers to get a visual on how to complete these braid jobs yourself. Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts do not work out. The more you practice, the better you will get at creating perfect braids of any kind.

Start with a simple braid, then move on to a French braid. Then you can experiment with waterfall and crown braids as you get better and discover your own personal techniques to make the job easier.