Knowing how to braid your hair will open up so many styling options for you. The key to braiding well is keeping an even tension. Once you understand how braiding works you will be able to cornrow and French braid your hair.

There are two types of braids – overhand and underhand. Overhand is where you are bringing the hair toward the center, this method is used in French braids. Under handed where you are bringing the hair away from the center, this method is used in cornrows. They are really opposite sides of the same coin.

How to braid underhand (plaiting)

Separate a section of hair

Divide that section into there parts.

Take the left section and bring it under the middle.

Now take the right section and bring it under the middle.

Repeat to the end.

How to braid overhand (braiding)

Separate a section of hair

Divide that section into there parts.

Take the left section and bring it over the middle.

Now take the right section and bring it over the middle.

Repeat to the end.

Note:

I have found that when I am putting in long extension braids, I braid faster and my hair tangles less when I braid underhand as apposed to overhand. I’ve noticed that a lot of professional braiders braid underhand as well.

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