A French braid is a variation on the classic three strand braid where you add in hair to each section as you form the braid.
It follows the regular braid (plait) technique where you cross the right strand over the middle and the left over the right, continuing to bring the hair over into the centre.
By adding in hair as you go, this makes the braid hug your head. This allows you to create so many shapes and a huge variety of textures in your hairstyles.
French Braid Hairstyles
A Dutch braid is the reverse of a French braid.
It’s sometimes called an “inside-out” braid or reverse braid.
The technique is the same, except that instead of bringing sections of your braid over and into the centre, you bring them under.
This creates one of my favourite braid styles as you can see the shape of the braid on top, while the sections of added hair sit smoothly underneath.
You can find step by step guides for braiding your own hair in my 30 Braid in 30 Days ebook.
Full picture tutorials of all of these braided hairstyles are in my ebook, along with a braid troubleshooting guide and product styling tips.
Click below to purchase or click here to read more about the 30 Braids in 30 Days ebook.
What’s your favourite braid style?
Your* hair color is so pretty 0_0
thank you! 🙂 xx
You’re hair color is so pretty 0_0
I have to say its funny that I do the Dutch Braid on myself (just the natural way for me to braid) but if I do someone elses hair it ends up being the French Braid.
so funny Amy! You must be used to the same technique and it reverses when you do it on someone else x
Wow, those are the best braids ever. I wish I can learn how to do them. My mom can do a French braid, but we never tried a Dutch braid.
Thank you! If you can French braid you can definitely Dutch braid x
Looks lovely! I must say that your French braid hairstyles are beautiful. I’m going to be trying them all out, right after I post this comment!
Thanks Josephine x
I love the backwards chunky braid you’ve done. It’s my favourite of all the braids.
Thanks gorgeous Smags! It’s my favourite too xx
first and last pic I like especially. Found our blog looking for styles to keep my hair up while I’m in the humidity in Delhi!
Hi Amelia Grace! Good luck coping with that humidity! Braids are fantastic for keeping your hair off your neck, and find a good air conditioner x
These pictures look great. Its so weird I have been doing the dutch braid for years and never realised it lol.
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Thanks Stephanie! The Dutch braid has so many names, but it’s still my fave braid. whatever you call you it x
I’m the same. I’ve been doing dutch braids my whole life, and I never realized it.
Only found out when I first tried braiding at the top of my head (this year). I was told it looked funny.
Great post! Beautiful hair <3
Thank you xx
I love that you posted this! I’ve been practicing the French braid and I’ve almost got it.
Thanks Suheiry! It takes practice when you start but once you’ve got it, braiding is so much fun x