French braid !!!!!!!

Description

Unlike the simplest form of three-strand braid, in which all of the hair is initially divided into three sections which are simultaneously gathered together near the scalp (also known as an "English braid"), a French braid starts with three small sections of hair near the crown of the head; these initial sections are braided together toward the nape of the neck, gradually adding more hair to each section as it crosses in from the side into the center of the braid structure. The final result incorporates all of the hair into a smoothly woven pattern over the scalp. If the main mass of hair is initially parted into two or more sections along the scalp that are kept separate from one another, multiple French braids may be created, each in its own section.

Compared to the simplest form of hair braid, a French braid has several practical advantages: it can restrain hair from the top of the head that is too short to reach the nape of the neck, and it spreads the weight and tension of the braid across a larger portion of the scalp. Its sleeker appearance is also sometimes viewed as more elegant and sophisticated. However, a French braid is more difficult to construct than a simple braid because of its greater complexity; when performed on one's own hair, it also requires a more prolonged elevation of the hands above the back of the head, and leaves more tangled hair along the scalp when unbraiding.

In this style of braid start on top of the head and braid it till the end of the hair. Braiding in this manner can be done with different braid types but the most popular are the classic type and the fishtail type.

 History

It is unclear when the hairstyle originated, or how it became associated with France in the English-speaking world; in the French language, the same hairstyle is called tresse africaine ("African braid") or tresse indienne ("Indian braid").
The phrase "French braid" appears in an 1871 issue of Arthur's Home magazine, used in a piece of short fiction that describes it as a new hairstyle ("...do up your hair in that new French braid...").wever, no visual illustrations are provided for that context, making it impossible to tell whether it refers to the same hairstyle described above.

Variations

Variations on this hairstyle include:

• Dutch braid - A Dutch braid (also called an inverted French braid or pineapple braid) is created when the three hair sections are crossed under each other, instead of over. It results in the look of a braid standing up from the rest of the hair, instead of being under the hair.
• Fishtail braid - A fishtail braid resembles a French braid in its smoothly woven appearance, but divides the hair into only two sections instead of three. This style was called the "Grecian braid" in the 19th century.
• Variations of this braid are also used to prepare horses' tails for showing, polo and polocrosse.

  French braid

Follow These Seven Easy Steps

Time Inc1Brush hair

 Before braiding, brush hair to smooth out any knots or                                                                      tangles.

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2Gather hair at top of head; divide into three sections

Starting at the hairline, gather enough hair from top of head to start a regular braid. Divide hair into three equal sections. Hold right section in right hand, left section in left hand, and middle section between thumb and another finger of either hand.

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3Cross the sections

To begin braid, cross right section over middle section, then repeat this move with left section, smoothing hair down as you go. Pull sections fairly tight; you don’t want the braid to be loose and come undone.

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4Add hair to the section

Before repeating your cross-over motion with the right section, gather a little bit of additional hair from the head’s right side, and add it to this section; now cross this larger portion of hair over the middle section of the braid.

 Tip: Make sure that the sections of hair you’re adding are roughly equal or the braid will look lopsided.

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5Add hair to the section on the other side

Gather a small section (of equal size to the one you just gathered) of the remaining hair on the left side of your head up and into the left section and cross that over the middle section.

 Tip: Slightly dirty hair has less “slip,” making it easier to braid.

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6Repeat adding hair and crossing sections

Repeat steps 4 and 5, adding hair until you’ve gathered in all additional hair strands. Finish at the bottom with a regular braid.

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7Secure the braid at the end with a band

Once you reach the bottom of the braid, secure the end with a hair band, wrapping it tightly around the hair.

 French braid2

[[Category:Braids and Dreadlocks]Braid Hair|do the basic hair braid]] if you do not know how already. (Note that basic braiding is referred to as plaiting as well.) This is simply the act of dividing medium to long hair into three separate lengths and weaving each section over and under the other until the hair is plaited. A basic braid can be started from the base of the neck, mid-head, or from the top of the head, depending on your preference. A French braid will always be made from the top or mid parts of the head.

1. Brush or comb the hair thoroughly. Remove any knots or tangles using a wide-toothed comb or favorite brush. Comb out each part, combing the hair straight.
2. 
   Separate a section of hair from the rest of the hair at the point of your head where you want to begin the braid.
   • It's a good idea to imagine making your hair section V-shaped, with the point of the V going towards the back of your head.
   • You can vary the location and starting placement of your braid. For example, you can choose to start lower on the head with a section that includes all the hair above your ears. While this will make it easier (less braiding to do), it will result in a thick (rather than an intricate) braid.
3. 
   Separate the section of hair into three smaller, even strands. Be sure that the strands are completely separated all the way to the ends.
   • One way to separate the hair into three strands is to hold the section of hair in one hand and use the index and middle fingers of the other hand to separate it into three strands, as shown. Note that, while this article provides some suggestions, you may find your very own variations that work more comfortably for you, or create more desirable results. With practice, you'll get the feel for it.
4. 
   Cross the rightmost held strand over the middle strand.
   • If you're French braiding your own hair, your finger placement will depend on the size of your hands, the length of your fingers, and the thickness of your hair.
   • Hold the leftmost strand with your left pinkie while moving the rightmost strand from your right hand to your left. Shift the new rightmost strand (used to be the middle strand) from your right hand to your left.
5. 
   Add some hair from the right side of the head to the rightmost strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head and add it to the new rightmost strand.
6. 
   Cross the leftmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the rightmost strand with your right pinkie, then rotate your left hand so that you can grasp the leftmost strand in your right hand. Shift the new leftmost strand to your right hand.
7. 
   Add hair from the left side of the head to the new leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand.
8. 
   Cross the rightmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the leftmost strand with the left pinkie, then rotate your right hand so that you can grasp the rightmost strand in your left hand. Shift the new rightmost strand to your left hand.
9. 
   Add some hair from the right side of the head to the rightmost strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head, adding it to the rightmost strand currently held in your left hand.
10. 
    Cross the leftmost strand over the middle strand. Grasp the rightmost strand with your right pinkie, then rotate your left hand so that you can grasp the leftmost strand in your right hand. Shift the new leftmost strand from your left to right hand.
11. 
    Add some hair from the left side of the head to the leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand in your right hand.
    • Continue braiding. Cross the rightmost strand over the middle, add hair to new rightmost strand, cross the leftmost strand over the middle, add hair to new leftmost strand, and repeat until there is no more hair to add.
12. 
    Braid the rest of your hair normally as far down as you can reach. If you have longer hair, bring the braid forward over your shoulder and braid in the opposite direction (instead of folding the strands towards you, you will be folding them away from you).
13. 

    Tie off or clip the end of the braid.