Braiding your own hair

[momi]

I am having the MOST trouble braiding my own hair. It's like I cannot get the hand position right.

I have no problem braiding for others though...

Anyone else have this issue???

 

[ChocolatePie777]

Can't braid to save a life (sorry timmy)......I just do twists or individual braides

 

[faithVA]

Are you trying to cornrow? or just plait?

I can cornrow to the front and to the side but I have a hard time cornrowing straight back. Would be nice to get some tips.

 

[momi]

Are you trying to cornrow? or just plait?

I can cornrow to the front and to the side but I have a hard time cornrowing straight back. Would be nice to get some tips.

Cornrow really...

I can do a halfway decent plait for a braidout but barely.

Yeah some tips would be nice

 

[SuchaLady]

It's so simple. I have no idea how I grasped it so easily without instruction as a child. Hmm let's see. Start with the same three basic strands as you would with a braid but pinch/pick up hair joining it with the outside strands only(not at the same time. Left then right or right then left. Whichever you decide; just make sure you're consistent). The middle strand will become an outside strand eventually so don't worry about that one. momi

 

[faithVA]

^^It is like she said but I don't find it easy going back. When I cornrow to the front and to the sides I use my thumb to sweep under and pick up hair. When I am going back I can't do that. I have to use my thumb and forefinger.


My hair is short and natural so its hard to pick up hair. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[momi]

Actually managed to do it last night. Was trying a two strand twist mo-hawk. I just parted, moisturized, and really took my time.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

I have the same problem. I cannot get the hand motion right since it's basically in reverse. I can twist all day but braiding is not something I can do on my own hair.

 

[Ogoma]

I have the opposite problem. I can braid/cornrow all day, but struggle to flat twist. My hands keep going back to the braiding.

 

[faithVA]

I practice a little a few days a week when my hair is loose. It was better yesterday than last time I did it. I would love to be able to cornrow my hair back for the summer.

 

[Dee_33]

I can twist and plait my hair, but braiding to the scalp is a work in progress for me. I'm practicing on the weekends and getting better though.

 

[Jobwright]

I used to have the same problem. I can braid my dd's hair perfectly though. So what I did was part in the mirror and clamp off the extra hair on the sides. Then I step away from the mirror, close my eyes and imagine I am braiding my dd's hair. Works perfectly every time. But when I'm in the mirror and try, I get confused. I know it's hard for some but I think to get it you have to move away from the mirror and let your hands do the work, not your eyes.

 

[momi]

I used to have the same problem. I can braid my dd's hair perfectly though. So what I did was part in the mirror and clamp off the extra hair on the sides. Then I step away from the mirror, close my eyes and imagine I am braiding my dd's hair. Works perfectly every time. But when I'm in the mirror and try, I get confused. I know it's hard for some but I think to get it you have to move away from the mirror and let your hands do the work, not your eyes.

This is kind of what I did - closed my eyes.

The hand position is the most difficult part... feels awkward.