How to French Braid Black Hair

Black women were French braiding their hair long before it was called a French braid. Women wore what was called invisible cornrows in their hair as part of a cultural hairstyles and because this hairstyle was beautiful and easy to maintain in black hair. With the influx of easy styling options like relaxers and perms, braiding has become less popular and so the art of braiding has suffered. Fortunately, this skill can be learned quite easily.


Instructions

Step1:Prepare your hair to braid. Moisturize or oil your scalp and hair before beginning the French braid. This will give the hairstyle great shine and make it easier to braid. Brush your hair with a good bristled hairbrush to remove kinks and tangles. After brushing your hair thoroughly, brush the sides in and upward motion to create a Mohawk hairdo. The cool thing about black hair is that in most cases the hair will stand up and hold this shape, making it easier to create the French braid.

Step2:Start at the front of the scalp and gather a 3-inch wide by 2-inch section while separating it into three parts. Hold the outside sections in each hand between the index fingers and the thumb. Hold the center section by wrapping the middle finger of the left hand around it.

Step3:Take the section of hair in the right hand and cross it over the center section taking hold of it with the middle finger of the left hand. You will drop the section currently held by that finger as you pick up the new section.

Step4:Using your free right hand, you pick up an inch thick section of hair with your index finger and grab the middle section you previously dropped with your thumb. This is your new right section.

Step5:Repeat the last step, this time leading with your left hand. Cross the hair you are holding in your left hand over the center section and grab it with your middle finger of your right hand dropping the middle section. This will free your left hand to pick up a section of hair and the middle section.

Step6:Continue Steps 4 through 6 while alternating hands braiding all the way down the center of the head. When you get to the end, braid any remaining hair and secure it with a band or hair clip.

How to Apply Temporary Hair Extensions

Temporary, glue-in hair extensions are a relatively easy way to experience longer, thicker hair. They will last up to six weeks with proper care and maintenance and can be replaced easily. Change your look as often as you like with hair extensions that can be applied with bonding glue.

Step1

Clip all of your hair high on your head. Starting about one inch above the nape, use the pick to make a straight, horizontal line in hair from one end to the other.

Step2

From one end of the extension track, measure the amount of hair needed to cross the back of the scalp. Cut a piece of the track a little smaller than this length, as you do not want ends of extensions flipping up beyond your natural hair.

Step3

Make a line of bonding glue along the weft of the piece of extension hair you have just cut. Wait 30 seconds before applying so that glue will not drip.

Step4

Press and hold track with glue at the base of your natural hair that you have horizontally parted. Be sure to press along every part of the track to avoid air bubbles or loose spots. Try to avoid getting bonding glue on other parts of the hair, as this causes sticky tangles and may have to be cut out.

Thinking of getting hair extensions?

* The topic of extensions can be confusing. There are so many brand-name application methods that differ by the materials used and the type of extension hair. If you have any questions about the types of extensions available, just ask your stylist.

* Check with your stylist to find out the best maintenance and care regime for the particular type of extensions you choose. Since extensions can cause breakage and damage to your natural hair, they must be maintained properly.

* Human hair extensions work best if you're going for a natural look, since they most closely match the texture and color of your existing hair. If you want extensions that make a statement, like those that are vibrant red, blue, green or orange, you're better off with synthetic hair. That's because synthetic hair offers many more color options to choose from.

* Extensions can be much heavier than your natural hair. If this idea bothers you, make sure to talk to your stylist about possibly adding fewer extensions.

* Some glues or adhesives used to attach extensions can cause allergic reactions, so make sure to let your stylist know about any allergies you have.