Braiding your own hair can be a rewarding and money-saving experience, and it's surprisingly easy to achieve stunning results at home. With a little patience and the right techniques, you can create beautiful, long-lasting braids that will make your long hair the envy of your friends. In this guide, we'll walk you through some of the most popular and beginner-friendly DIY braids for long hair.
Before you dive into braiding, make sure your hair is clean, detangled, and damp for better manageability. Also, have a comb, an hair elastics, and a few bobby pins handy. Now, let's get started with our first main topic: the classic French braid.
Classic French Braid
The French braid is a timeless style that's perfect for long hair. It's easy to learn and can be dressed up or down for any occasion.
Start by brushing your hair and parting it down the middle or on the side, depending on your preference. Take a section of hair from the top of your head, near your part, and divide it into three equal strands.
Start the Braid
Cross the right strand over the middle strand, then the left strand over the new middle strand. This is your first French braid stitch.
Now, repeat the process, picking up more hair from each side as you go. Take a section of hair from the right side of your head and add it to the right strand before crossing it over the middle. Do the same on the left side, picking up hair as you braid.
Continue and Finish
Keep adding hair and crossing the strands over each other, following your hairline. Once you've braided about 2/3 of your hair, you can switch to a regular three-strand braid by simply crossing the strands over each other without adding more hair. Secure the end with an elastic and tuck it under the braid using a few bobby pins for a polished look.
After mastering the French braid, you might want to try something a little more adventurous. Our next main topic is the fishtail braid, a beautiful and unique style that's perfect for long hair.
Fishtail Braid
The fishtail braid is a stunning and elegant variation of the traditional three-strand braid. While it may look complicated, it's actually quite easy once you get the hang of it.
Start by brushing your hair and gathering it to one side, as fishtail braids look best when they're asymmetrical. Take a small section of hair from the top and divide it into two equal strands.
Start the Fishtail
Take a small piece from the outer edge of the left strand and add it to the right strand. Then, take a small piece from the outer edge of the right strand and add it to the left strand. This is your first fishtail stitch.
Continue this process, taking small pieces from the outer edges of each strand and adding them to the opposite strand. The key to creating a beautiful fishtail braid is to keep the sections small and even.
Continue and Finish
Work your way down the length of your hair, adding more hair to each stitch as you go. Once you've reached the end, secure the braid with an elastic and gently tug on the edges to loosen the braid and make it fuller.
Now that you've learned two beautiful braids, it's time to start practicing and experimenting with your new skills. Remember, braiding takes practice, so don't worry if it doesn't look perfect at first. Keep trying, and you'll soon be rocking stunning braids every day. Happy braiding!