Step 12 - Five Strand Braid

1.     Take 3 centre sections, place the RIGHT strand over the CENTRE strand and then place the LEFT strand over the CENTRE strand.

2.     Pick up the RIGHT OUTER STRAND place it under the RIGHT INNER STRAND.

3.     Put the 4 strands in the right hand by placing a strand between each finger.

4.     Pick up the LEFT OUTER STRAND and place it under the LEFT INNER STRAND and over the CENTRE STRAND.

5.     Start again by putting the 4 strands into the LEFT HAND and working from the RIGHT.

6.     Continue down the head always adding the picked up section the outside strands.

NOTE: By always keeping the strands between each finger helps you from losing your way.

Step 11 - Five Strand Plait

PUT HAIR INTO A PONY TAIL

1.     Divide the hair into 5 even sections.

2.     Take the 3 centre sections, place the RIGHT strand over the CENTRE strand and then place the LEFT strand over the CENTRE strand.

3.     Starting with the RIGHT OUTER STRAND place it under the RIGHT INNER STRAND.

4.     Put the 4 strands in the right hand by placing a strand between each finger.

5.     Take the LEFT OUTER STRAND and place it under the LEFT INNER STRAND and over the CENTRE STRAND.

6.     Start again by putting the 4 strands into the LEFT HAND and working from the RIGHT.

Step 10 - The Four Strand Round Braid

Make sure hair is combed through to remove any tangles, I have found if a little leave in moisturiser is used instead of mousse it makes braiding a lot easier. (less sticky) Use Hairspray at the end.

1.     Take 2 even sections.

2.     Place the LEFT strand and place it over the RIGHT strand.

3.     Then pick up the LEFT OUTER STRAND and pass it under the 2 centre strands and place it over the now RIGHT INNER STRAND.

4.     Taking the now 2 centre strands in your right (drop the new left strand)

5.     Pick up the RIGHT OUTER STRAND and pass it under the 2 centre strands and place it over the now LEFT INNER STRAND.

6.     Continue by passing the outer strands under the 2 centre strands and over the opposite inner strand.

7.     Every section you pick up add to the outside section.

Continue this pattern until you reach the ends of the hair.

(Practice this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practice more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before adding them to the center.)

Step 9 - The Four Strand Round Plait

PUT HAIR IN A PONY TAIL

1.     Divide hair into 4 even sections.

2.     Take the 2 centre sections.

3.     Place the LEFT centre strand and place it over the RIGHT centre strand.

4.     Then take the LEFT OUTER STRAND and pass it under the 2 centre strands and place it over the now RIGHT INNER STRAND.

5.     Taking the now 2 centre strands in your right (drop the new left strand)

6.     Pass the RIGHT OUTER STRAND and pass it under the 2 centre strands and place it over the now LEFT INNER STRAND.

7.     Continue by passing the outer strands under the 2 centre strands and over the opposite inner strand.

Continue this pattern until you reach the ends of the hair.

(Practice this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practice more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before adding them to the center.)

Step 8 - Variations of Two Strand Rope Braid - 2 Rope Braids

Make sure hair is combed through to remove any tangles, I have found if a little leave in moisturiser is used instead of mousse it makes braiding a lot easier. (less sticky) Use Hairspray at the end.

Right Side
1. Divide the hair into 2 by use of a centre part.
 (This can be done with a straight line or zig zag. A straight line will be easier while learning.)
2. Secure the left side of the hair to keep it out of the way while you are working on the right side.
3. Start with a triangle section at the to of the head. This is done by taking a section from the front hairline to the centre part.
4. Divide the triangle into two pieces
5. Twist each strand to the right. To resemble two twisted strands.
      (Remembering to keep each strand separated from the other.)
5. Cross the right strand back over the top of the left strand whilst maintaining the tension on the twisted strands to ensure they do not unravel.
6.Pick up a new section from each side and add to each strand.
7. Twist both strands individually to the right.
8. Cross the right strand back over the top of the left strand whilst maintaining the tension of the twisted strands to ensure they do not unravel.

Continue this pattern until you reach the hair ends

This will look like a rope with at upward twist.


(Practise this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practise more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before twisting them.)

Left Side

1. Divide the hair into 2 by use of a centre part.
 (This can be done with a straight line or zig zag. A straight line will be easier while learning.)
2. Secure the right side of the hair to keep it out of the way while you are working on the left side.
3. Start with a triangle section at the to of the head. This is done by taking a section from the centre part to the front hairline.
4. Divide the triangle into two pieces
5. Twist each strand to the left. To resemble two twisted strands.
      (Remembering to keep each strand separated from the other.)
5. Cross the left strand back over the top of the right strand whilst maintaining the tension on the twisted strands to ensure they do not unravel.
6.Pick up a new section from each side and add to each strand.
7. Twist both strands individually to the left.
8. Cross the left strand back over the top of the right strand whilst maintaining the tension of the twisted strands to ensure they do not unravel.

Continue this pattern until you reach the hair ends

Once the two braids are finished it will give a swept up effect.

(Practise this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practise more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before twisting them.)

Another variation of this particular Braid is Beautiful on young girls.


Using the exact same instructions as above.

1. Although, this time divide the hair horizontally from the top of the ears to below the crown.
Leaving the bottom section out (it can be tied out of the way for the duration of the braid, if you like)
2. Place a centre part in the top section and tie the left side out of the way.
3. Follow the directions as set above.
4. When braiding the top section bring the braid around and secure in the centre just below the crown.

Now repeat of the Left side.
1. Bring the braid around to the centre, give the right strand a twist to tighten the braid and secure the two braids using a second hair tie above (closer to the scalp) the other tie.
2. Once the braids have been secured you can carefully remove the hair tie from the first braid.

This Braid look gorgeous on young girls as they look like little princesses.

Step 7 - Two Strand Rope Braid

Make sure hair is combed through to remove any tangles, I have found if a little leave in moisturiser is used instead of mousse it makes braiding a lot easier. (less sticky) Use Hairspray at the end.

1. Start with a triangle section at the top of the head. This is taken inline with the middle of each eyebrow back to a point half way between the front hairline and the crown.
2. Divide the triangle into two pieces
3. Twist each strand to the right. To resemble two twisted strands.

      (Remembering to keep each strand seperated from the other.)

4. Cross the right strand back over the top of the left strand whilst maintaining the tention on the twisted strands to ensure they do not unravel.
5. Pick up a new section from each side and add to each strand.
6. Twist both strands individually to the right.
7. Cross the right strand back over the top of the left strand whilst maintaining the tention of the twisted strands to ensure they do not unravel.

Continue this pattern until you reach the hair ends

(Practice this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practice more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before twisting them.)

• Make sure both of these plaits are practiced it is important for Braiding



Step 6 - Two Strand Rope Plait

Rope Plait Twisting To The Right

Place hair into a ponytail

1. Wet hair thoroughly
2. Divide the ponytail into 2 sections
3. Twist each strand to the right. To resemble two twisted strands.

      (Remembering to keep each strand separated from the other.)

4. Cross the right strand back over the top of the left strand whilst maintaining the tension on the twisted strands to ensure they do not unravel.

Continue this pattern until you reach the hair ends

(Practise this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practise more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before twisting them.)

• Make sure both of these plaits are practised it is important for Braiding



Rope Plait Twisting To The Left 



Place hair into a ponytail

1. Wet hair thoroughly
2. Divide the ponytail into 2 sections
3. Twist each strand to the left. To resemble two twisted strands.

      (Remembering to keep each strand separated from the other.)

4. Cross the left strand back over the top of the right strand whilst maintaining the tension on the twisted strands to ensure they do not unravel.

Continue this pattern until you reach the hair ends

(Practise this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practise more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before twisting them.)



• Make sure both of these plaits are practised it is important for Braiding

Step 5 - Three Strand Insideout Braid

Make sure hair is combed through to remove any tangles, I have found if a little leave in moisturiser is used instead of mousse it makes braiding a lot easier (less sticky). Use Hairspray at the end.
1. Wet the hair evenly - this helps to control the hair as it is less flyaway.
2. Take a small triangle section from middle of each eyebrow back to about half way between the hairline and the crown, divide into 3 equal sections
3. Place the right strand Under the centre strand, making it the now centre strand.
4. Hold each of the outer strands in each hand placing the centre strand over the right thumb. This helps to separate the hair strands and to maintain tension.
5. Place the left strand Under the centre strand making it now the centre strand.
6. Hold each of the outer strands in each hand placing the centre strand over the left thumb. This again helps to separate the hair strands and to maintain tension.
7. Place the centre strand over the right thumb and take the right strand under making it the centre strand. Take a section from the right side, comb it through and place it with the now centre strand.
8. Place the centre strand over the left thumb and take the left strand under making it the centre strand. Take a section from the left side, comb it through and place it with the now centre strand. 
9. Remember to always keep the sections damp and combed smooth to ensure each section remains separate. This will help to stop confusion.

Continue this pattern until you reach the ends of the hair.

(Practise this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practise more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the braid neater by combing the strands before adding them to the centre.)

Step 4 - Three Strand Insideout Plait

First put hair into a ponytail


1. Wet the hair evenly - this helps to control the hair as it is less flyaway.
2. Divide ponytail into 3 equal sections
3. Place the right strand Under the centre strand, making it the now centre strand.
4. Hold each of the outer strands in each hand placing the centre strand over right thumb. This helps to keep all sections of hair separated and to maintain tension.
5. Place the left strand Under the centre strand making it now the centre strand.
6.Hold each of the outer strands in each hand placing the centre strand over left thumb. This helps to keep all sections of hair separated and to maintain tension.

Continue this pattern until you reach the ends of the hair.

(Practise this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practise more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before adding them to the centre.)

Step 3 - Three Strand Braid

Make sure hair is combed through to remove any tangles, I have found if a little leave in moisturiser is used instead of mousse it makes braiding a lot easier (less sticky). Use Hairspray at the end.

1. Wet the hair evenly - this helps to controll the hair as it is less flyaway.
2. Take a small triangle section from middle of each eyebrow back to about half way between the hairline and the crown, divide into 3 equal sections
3. Place the right strand over the centre strand, making it the now centre strand.
4. Hold each of the outer strands in each hand placing your right thumb on top of the centre   strand. This helps to control the hair and to maintain tension.
5. Place the left strand over the centre strand making it now the centre strand.
6. Hold each of the outer strands in each hand placing your left thumb on top of the centre   strand. This again helps to control the hair and to maintain tension.
7. Place the right strand and place into the centre then taking a section of hair from the right and adding it to the now centre strand.
8. Comb this section smooth then place your thumb on top of the centre strand.
9. Place the left strand into the centre then taking a section of hair from the left and adding it to the now centre strand.
10. Comb this section smooth then place your thumb on top of the centre strand.

Continue this pattern until you reach the ends of the hair and secure with a hair tie.
(Practise this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practise more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the braid neater by combing the strands before adding them to the centre.)

Step 2 - Three Strand Plait

First put hair into a ponytail

1. Wet the hair evenly - this helps to control the hair as it is less flyaway.
2. Divide ponytail into 3 equal sections
3. Place the right strand over the centre strand, making it the now centre strand.
4. Hold each of the outer strands in each hand placing your right thumb on top of the centre   strand. This helps to control the hair and to maintain tension.
5. Place the left strand over the centre strand making it now the centre strand.
6. Hold each of the outer strands in each hand placing your left thumb on top of the centre   strand. This again helps to control the hair and to maintain tension.

Continue this pattern until you reach the ends of the hair and secure with a hair tie.

(Practise this a couple of times and don't be too worried if it looks messy, as you practise more and become more comfortable and in control of the hair you can make the plait neater by combing the strands before adding them to the centre.)

Step 1 - Plaiting and Braiding

Before we begin to attempt any of the Braiding it is important that all braids are practised as plaits first.
This is because there is less hair to contend with and is less confusing whilst learning.  Once plaits have been conquered and you are comfortable to proceed then you can attempt braiding.  Starting with the simplest first through to the more advanced braids. I will list them in the order that I believe to easiest to learn. Some of the more advanced braids can become frustrating, but, remember it can be done and just needs a little persistence. If at anytime you feel frustrated with the braid you are working on, walk away, get a drink and come back and try again. You will find it will work better to take a break from it as apposed to trying to tackle it, this will just make it a hair pulling experience. Which is not what we want.

Make sure hair is combed through to remove any tangles, I have found if a little leave in moisturiser is used instead of mousse it makes braiding a lot easier (less sticky). Use Hairspray at the end.