How to Braid Hair (your own)

Step 9 Keep crossing alternate outer sections over the center section until you run out of hair to braid

Keep crossing alternating outer sections over the center section until you're done.

The basic idea of braiding:

1. Start with three sections
2. Cross the left section over the center section (so it goes between the center section and the right section).
3. Cross the right section over what is currently the center section (so it goes between the center section and the left section).
4. Cross the left section over what is currently the center section (so it goes between the center section and the right section).
5. Cross the right section over what is currently the center section (so it goes between the center section and the left section).
6. Repeat until you're done.

If you're not used to braiding at all, it might be good practice to take three ribbons of different colors, tie them all together at one end, and practice braiding that until you get the idea.

The trick with hair is keeping the sections separate from each other, and keeping an even, downward tension on each of the sections so that the braid hangs nice and straight and even behind your head.

Another trick is to angle two mirrors facing each other, positioning them so that you are able to see the back of your head by looking at the reflection of its reflection in the two mirrors.

Don't get discouraged if it's tricky at first- just keep practicing, and soon it will be super easy. Good luck!

Here is a book by Klutz with great instructions on how to do different fancy types of braiding.

Here is another book by Klutz with great instructions on how to do different types of braids for younger girls.

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