Want to be a better braider? Here are some quick and easy tips to help you braid your hair.
Braiding is one of my all-time favourite hairstyling techniques because it’s so versatile. What’s more, with shows like Game of Thrones, Hunger Games and Frozen using braids so much, these styles are really becoming one of the most popular ways to wear your hair at the moment. Which is really lucky because I reckon I wear braids four days out of seven, and sometimes even more.
I’m self-taught and I’m not that coordinated. So if I can do it, I know you can too.
1. Start with a simple style
Believe it or not, but fishtail braids are one of the easier braids to do. Check out my fishtail braid tutorial and try it yourself.
Or play around with the classic 3 strand braids (plaits) to create styles like this easy braided updo tutorial.
Once you’ve mastered these styles you can start building on your braiding skills and try more complicated styles.
2. Embrace messy hair
Your braids aren’t going to be perfect first time and that’s ok!
I personally think messy braids look better as they look more modern and less child-like. Who cares if there are layers poking through your braids, just go with it. I bet you’ll get a compliment on your new style 😉
3. Dirty hair is my dirty secret
Braids are better in dirty hair. Seriously.
If your hair is too clean and soft, it won’t stay in place and will fall out of your braid. I use a texture spray or volume powder to mess up my clean hair if I want to wear a braid.
On dirty hair, I just spray a little dry shampoo on the roots and let the braids cover up the rest. It’s a perfect style solution for those days when you really should have washed your hair.
4. Practice
I know this isn’t a quick tip, but it is easy.
It’s a fact that the more often you do something, the better you become at doing that thing. So if you want to be a better braider, keep practising.
Don’t wait until you’re about to go out to try that new braid. Next time you’re watching TV, practise braiding your hair. You’ll be surprised at how fast you improve.
5. Experiment
Some of my best braids have been complete accidents.
I’m always looking for inspiration and trying new styles. Check out my Braid Romance board on Pinterest and follow these inspiring hair accounts on Instagram for ideas.
I love braids so much that I wrote a whole book about them. My 30 Braids in 30 Days ebook teaches you all the different classic braid styles plus has over 30 step-by-step tutorials for braiding your own hair. Get braiding here.
What’s your tip to be a better braider?
Hi Christine! I just bought your ‘Hair Romance’ book and absolutely love it! The hairstyles are just amazing and have really inspired me to style my hair with more variety. Because of your book, I now know how to braid! I’m really impressed that I’ve learnt how to braid just by reading your book and hope that I can learn how to do a French plait or Dutch plait. I’d like to ask you a question though. So, I like putting my hair up in a high ponytail, but I was thinking of plaiting it so it would become a high pony tail plait. But, when I do the high ponytail, some parts of my hair are longer than others, so when I tried to do the high pony tail plait, shorter pats of my hair stuck out. Is there a way to include those shorter parts, or should I just leave them so that my hair has a messy and groovy fell about it? I’d love your advice.
Thank you so much, Maya! I really appreciate it 🙂
I have layers in my hair too so there’s a few things you can do to help include them in hairstyles. I use hairspray to stick down any loose layers. A few bobby pins hidden under the ponytail also hold up shorter layers underneath. I also love using Volume Powder. It just hold everything in place.
Otherwise, for more relaxed styles, don’t worry about them 🙂 Leave them to fall naturally and just go with what your hair wants to do 🙂 xx
I found your site when I searched “gentle, lose braids.” I want to wear my hair up and braided so I’m not constantly running my hands through it catching falling hairs. I’m going through a shedding phase and I’m curious about braiding’s impact on hair follicles – do you have any advice for someone who’s trying to be gentle on thin hair?
Hi Stephanie, braiding can be a gentle styling option for all hair types as long as your braids aren’t too tight. I’d also vary the styles as wearing the same hairstyle every day can be damaging to your hair. As for shedding, I find sometimes that it seems like I’m losing more hair, but it’s really the same as normal. The braid stops hair falling out during the day so when you brush it out later or wash your hair, you’ll notice the hair shedding all at once so it seems like more. If it’s significantly more shedding than normal, that’s when I recommend checking your diet and speaking with your doctor as some imbalances, thyroid or hormone issues can really affect your hair. Stress is also a factor in hair loss. Hope all is ok with you, and try some of my braid tutorials – I’ve linked some of my fave easy styles in this post – https://www.hairromance.com/2016/07/home-hair-colour-myths.html. Christina xx
Although it isn’t exactly a braiding tip, I think it’s a good idea to have about three very quick go-to styles in case of an emergency. My favourite is a french braid into a low bun because it is really quick, still looks cute and keeps all of my (very thick, frizzy and occasionally curly) hair out of my face. Thanks for your help and inspiration, your book the hairstyle directory taught me practically all I know!
Thank you so much, May! Your comment means so much to me and thanks for sharing a great tip too! x
These tips are very helpful, and I love doing braids on my own hair and my friends though their mothers enjoy the hairstyles my friends not so much because I play around a lot with there hair.
Thanks Red!
These braid tricks are so on point, especially taking advantage of dirty hair by transforming it into a beautiful braid. We also love messy braids combined with pin straight hair!
Thank you! And I’m with for messy braids with any hair 😉
Love your braids! Great tips! Thanks 🙂
Thanks Idhuna, hope they help your braids x
The practice one is so true. I thought I would never be able to braid worth anything, but I am finally getting the hang of it. Most days.
Thanks Melody! I bet your braids are better than you think x
Braids are my absolute favorite style for no-wash days…they seriously look way better with less than fresh hair!
and they hide less than fresh hair so well! Glad you’re also a fan B x
Thank you for the tips!! I love your hair (:
Thanks Charleen! x
I swore to myself last year that I would learn to braid, but in the end, I just hacked off all my hair instead!
I’m back in Australia, the land of expensive haircuts, though, so my locks are about to get a whole lot longer. You’ve inspired me to start trying again. ^^
Haha, Australia is the land of expensive everything! I’m planning some braid tutorials for shorter hair too that might be good for you too xx
love braids 😉
They’re my go=to style x
Great tips! 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
I love braids too! I’ve started wearing them almost every day of the week. I feel more pulled together, and downright fancy, with a braid than I do with a bun. And the hiding of the dirty hair is magic! xo
Same here Gracie, a braid always looks like I’ve gone to more effort but they really just hide my dirty hair. Love it! x
I love love love the look of braids, but my hair is super thin, so whenever I want to try a new style with a braid, I always feel like I don’t have enough hair to work with. Also I am very hair challenged, which doesn’t help the situation. Any suggestions?
Hi Becca, check out this fishtail braid I did with my friend who has super fine hair. My trick is to use volume powder to stretch out your braid to make it look thicker. It really works and makes such a difference. You can also use dry shampoo in your hair before your braid for more texture. Hope this helps! Christina xx
I love your braids <3
Thanks lovely! xx
I can relate to the accidental braid. And then it’s so hard to recreate it, because you’re not exactly sure how you made it in the first place!
So true! But you do get lucky recreating other styles later 😉