If you have ever tried to do a french braid your own hair, you will know how frustrating the procedure is.
Your arms start burning, you forget which strand goes where, and the braid? Totally messed up – no matter how many tutorials you can watch.
Sometimes it might feel that you are the only one who struggles with it, but a lot of people are struggling with it.
Honestly? Everyone struggles a bit at first, so don’t worry if it is not perfect yet.
For this hairstyle, you do not need any fancy skill or perfect hair, you just need the right steps and a little bit of patience.
In this post, I will show you exactly how to do it, point out some common mistakes and help you to get the french braid that you actually want.
Tools and Prep: Getting Ready the Right Way
For french braid, you do not need any expensive tool but starting with the right basics that make a big difference in it.
Freshly washed hair can be too slippery then use dry shampoo and textured spray to add some grip on your hairs.
Brush or comb your hairs to remove the knots. You will need a small hair elastic to tie the ends and a few bobby pins to tuck in the flyways.
Got some extra flyways or baby hairs, a little hairspray and styling cream can keep everything smooth and in place.
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If you are braiding your own hair, sit in front of the mirror with some good lighting and tie the hairs at the back that you don’t want in the braid like bangs and short layers.
Now, you are ready to start the braiding with no special tools, just a few basics that make the whole process easier.
Tips for Different Hair Types and Lengths
- If you have thick hairs then work in the smaller sections and add more tension – This helps the braid to stay very clean and neat.
- For thin or fine hair, use some textured spray first – it adds the grip and gives the braid a fuller look.
- Layers can be very tricky – pin back the shorter sections with bobby pins while braiding.
- Got curly hair, so braid it dry to avoid the tangles but a little leave-in conditioner can help if it feels too frizzy.
- Short hair? No problem. French braids are not only for long hairs – just braid as far as you can and tie it off when you hit at the end.
Pay some attention to how your hair feels, adjust your grip and section size that is based on your hair – If it feels wrong just change it.
Related: How to do a Fishtail Braid in 2025
What Makes French Braiding Difficult?
French braid is hard at first because to keep the even sections and add the new hairs each time.
If you are braiding on your own hair, your hand might start to hurt, it seems even trickier when you cannot see the back of your head – it’s totally normal that the braid can turn out loose, uneven, or lumpy at first.
Flyways and short layers can make it trickier.
A Lot of tutorials leave out these common problems and the guides don’t talk about these little issues but once you know it is normal, it is easier to chill and keep practicing.
Related: How to Do a Slick Back Bun Fast
How to French Braid Your Own Hair
Step 1: Brush and Prep
The very first step is to ensure your hair have no tangles so, if they have then use brush. Too soft hairs? Just spritz on some textured spray.
Step 2: Start the Section
You have to divide your hair into three equal strands, and these should be at front part of you hairs.
Step 3: Begin Braiding
Take the right piece of your hair and cross it over the middle. Now, do the same exact method with the left.
Step 4: Add Hair to the Right
Take a bit of hair from the right side, add it to your right strand and cross it over the middle – same move, just with more hair now.
Step 5: Add Hair to the Left
Take a bit of hair from the left side, add it to your left side and cross it over the middle – same move, just with more hair now.
Step 6: Keep Repeating
Just keep repeating the steps – add a bit of hair to each side, cross it over the middle as you move toward your neck.
Step 7: Finish the Braid
No braid hair to add then just finish it with regular three-strand braids to the end.
Step 8: Secure and Tidy
Secure the braid with a hair elastic, pin the loose pieces and also smooth down the flyways.
How to Make Your French Braid Last
To make your french braid last you will need to
- Do not braid on freshly washed hair – this braid works best on the second day.
- Before you start braiding, spray on some dry shampoo or textured spray to give your hair extra grip.
- To avoid loose spots, pull each section firmly to keep the braid neat and clean.
- Secure the ends tight with no slip hair elastic band.
- Do not touch or mess up with your braid, it helps it stay all the day.
Conclusion
Do not worry if your first french braid is not perfect. Everyone struggles at the first time.
With the use of the right steps, sticking to the steps and trying again can make you perfect.
If it doesn’t turn out right on the first time, then don’t worry every attempt can teach you something.
Don’t stop – soon you will be able to french braid on your own hair without thinking about it.
