How to Create an "X" Braid

by dncedvl

39K29323

Intro: How to Create an "X" Braid

What you will need: 2 small hairties, a brush, and a tail comb


What did you make?
I made a new type of French braid that I've never seen in which two braids cross on the back of the head to form an X shape.

How did you make it?
Every time my best friend comes over to my house, she has me do her hair, and she likes when I try new things. One time, I tried to make a braid that looked like an X just for fun, and this is how it turned out!

Where did you make it?
I made this at my house, but anyone could do it anywhere as long as they have a few hairties or rubberbands!

What did you learn?
From making this "X" Braid, I learned that it's okay to try new things. Sometimes they don't work out, but sometimes they do, like what happened in this situation!

STEP 1: Starting

Start out with clean, brushed, dry or damp hair.

STEP 2: Sectioning the Hair

Part the hair into a left and a right section using a tail comb. Part each of these sections into a top and a bottom section, tying off the top right section and the bottom left section. Be sure that all four sections are the same size.

STEP 3: Top Left Section

French braid the top left section, being sure to go diagonally across the back of the head.

STEP 4: Top Left to Bottom Right

Continue this braid normally until you are able to pick up hair from the bottom right section and French braid again.

STEP 5: Bottom Right Section

French braid the bottom right section, bring sure to keep in line with the top left section diagonally.

STEP 6: Finishing the First Braid

Continue the braid normally then tie off using the hairtie from the top right section.

STEP 7: Top Right Section

Repeat these steps on the other side, French braiding the top right section diagonally across the back of the head.

STEP 8: Top Right to Bottom Left

The two braids should meet as close to perpendicular as possible. Continue this braid normally, crossing over the first braid until you are able to pick up hair from the bottom left section and French braid again.

STEP 9: Bottom Left Section

French braid the bottom left section, being sure to keep in line with the top right section diagonally.

STEP 10: Finishing the Second Braid

Continue the braid normally then tie off using the hairtie from the bottom left section.

STEP 11: Finishing

Congratulations! You have just completed an "X" braid!

20 Comments

vishnuboodoo5 3 years ago

my question is can I do this on my mom's hair I am 16 years old

mgalyean 11 years ago

I don't do hair, but like playing with sailing knots and, and other rope techniques. That looks really cool, and very well done. But I can't help but wonder what the visual effect would be if the two braids were somehow interwoven at the crossing point. Not into a Y shape, but retaining the X you have there. So just woven at the crossing point. I know it is easy to come up with an idea, but does anyone feel up to the challenge?

dncedvl 11 years ago

AJMansfield also suggested this and I replied to that comment, but I did try it! It doesn't look so much like an "X" if it's interwoven, and it definitely takes a lot of patience!

AJMansfield 11 years ago

You should have the strands for each braid interlace at the crossing point, so that it looks even cooler.

dncedvl 11 years ago

Just wanted to let you know that I tried this and it is possible! It takes away from the "X" shape though. I don't think it looks as nice, but maybe I'll make a tutorial for it anyway :)

AJMansfield 11 years ago

It would be easier to do that with a four-strand braid, though, I think.

1inspirit 11 years ago

I WAS A PROFESSIONAL COSMETOLOGY TEACHER FOR 30 YEARS AND SELDOM WHEN I FOUND A STUDENT WHO WAS AS CREATIVE AS THIS I KNEW I HAD A WINNER ON MY HANDS. KEEP IT UP! IF YOUR NOT A HAIRDRESSER NOW - CONSIDER IT AS A PROFESSION. LOV IT! :)

dncedvl 11 years ago

Wow thank you so much!

juls52 11 years ago

I bet this would look awesome in dutch braid style!

whynotpie 11 years ago

What a great, fresh look! Your instructions and pictures are very nice too! Good work!

truliwicked 11 years ago

Looks nice :-) Now if I only knew how to French Braid lol.

LeeFogle 11 years ago

That looks really cute! Your instructions are very clear, too.

badger4 11 years ago

Wow! That is a really cool idea. I am going to give it a try!

destructopop 11 years ago

Hmm... I'm going to try this with a Dutch braid instead of French!

tonygperez 11 years ago

I can hear it now, daddy braid my hair!

Thank you for sharing

jessyratfink 11 years ago

Whoa! That's amazing. I've never seen one of those. It's so pretty!