How to Braid Hair, Better: Tips from the Experts

What are your tips for braiding layered hair?

“Braid hair when wet or damp. This will allow you to catch all the loose ends and form a nice clean braid. Also, using a great texturizing product like Schwarzkopf OSiS+Flexwax helps create a clean and natural finish and holds layers in place.” — Patrick Melville, Patrick Melville Salon

“Braiding layered hair is best on hair that has not been washed for a day. It becomes more malleable and easier to braid. Start by spraying the hair with black 15and1 Hair Treatment. The treatment will help calm the frizz and give a smoother braid. Spray until slightly damp and then begin to braid. Choose a tighter braiding technique to ensure the layering holds inside the braid.” — Donna Tripodi, black15in1 Brand Ambassador – Eva Scrivo Salon

“Spray your hair with a light hairspray before braiding (I recommend Oribe) — this will prevent the layered pieces from falling out as much and will help keep them in place.” — Olivia Halpin, DreamDry

How can you make braiding your own hair easier?

“Do one single braid or two pigtails which you can pull back and tie together.” — P.M.

“Practice and be patient. It takes time to get your fingers moving correctly, especially if you don’t have the best dexterity. Sitting down in front of a mirror is also helpful, as you become more relaxed. Initially, choose simple, three-strand braids. Once you begin feeling more confident, you can try adding new hair to each strand to create a type of French braid. Then sky’s the limit – get creative! Remember that if you get lost in a technique you can always resume with a simple three strand braid.” — D.T.

“Watching videos online is always great practice — doing braids that are off to the side, such as a side fishtail braid, is easier than doing a braid straight down your back.” — O.H.

What’s the best way to make a braid last for more than one day?

“First day of the braid can be kept clean, while the second day you can play around and make it a more disheveled, broken up braid.” — P.M.

“Use a tighter braiding technique like a ‘fishtail’ or ‘halo’ braid. The tighter the braid, the longer it will hold. — D.T.

“Keep it tight for day one, and once you sleep on it, it will have that loose, messy look for day two. Also, sleeping on a silk pillow case keeps hair from frizzing or falling out of a style.” — O.H

Which braided styles that you’re loving for this summer into fall?

“I love the Game of Thrones look for braiding right now. Very ethereal and mystical looking.” — P.M.

“I love two to three strand halo braids (braids that wrap around the head). They’re great for long-lasting styles. Wear the braid for two to three days, then drop the hair down on your final day for mermaid waves.” — D.T.

“Currently, I’m loving the crown braid (our ‘Bianca’), and also the fishtail headband braid.” — O.H.