do it yourself braiders, HELP!

Ladybelle

Ladybelle

New Member
Hi everyone!
I'm not new to this site, but I just became a paying member so after all this time - I'm just now able to post! Anyhows, I've become serious about my health and about hair.

I've been transitioning for a little over a year with about 2 inches of relaxed hair left on the ends. I'm getting ready to chop those 2 in off and wear braids until hair reaches a length I'm comfortable with. My natural hair is about the length of my middle finger (go figure). I've transitioned via braids and i'm so tired of paying upwards of $200 for braids when I think I can learn how to do this myself. :wallbash:

I'll be wearing braids for at least another year and want to learn how to braid myself. I don't like being dependent on the braid shops because the mark-up is crazy! I did find some other threads on this forum related to this topic, but I have some questions I couldn't find answers to. I bought the braidsbybreslin dvd today and hope it will help me but here are my questions to the do-it-yourselfers:

  • 1)how long did it take you to learn and how long was it before you were comfortable braiding your own hair?
  • 2) If anyone has bought the braidbybreslin dvd, would you recommend her to those who want to self-braid?
  • 3) how much did you practice? And did you buy a mannequin to practice on or did you just practice on yourself or real people? I have a seven year old daughter I can practice on...
  • 4) any advice to a new braider such as myself?
I'm going to suck it up and pay this $180.00 to get my hair braided this time, but I hope this is the LAST time.

THANKS A MILLION FOR ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS,

Rain
 
RAINOFGLORY said:
Hi everyone!
I'm not new to this site, but I just became a paying member so after all this time - I'm just now able to post! Anyhows, I've become serious about my health and about hair.

I've been transitioning for a little over a year with about 2 inches of relaxed hair left on the ends. I'm getting ready to chop those 2 in off and wear braids until hair reaches a length I'm comfortable with. My natural hair is about the length of my middle finger (go figure). I've transitioned via braids and i'm so tired of paying upwards of $200 for braids when I think I can learn how to do this myself. :wallbash:

I'll be wearing braids for at least another year and want to learn how to braid myself. I don't like being dependent on the braid shops because the mark-up is crazy! I did find some other threads on this forum related to this topic, but I have some questions I couldn't find answers to. I bought the braidsbybreslin dvd today and hope it will help me but here are my questions to the do-it-yourselfers:

  • 1)how long did it take you to learn and how long was it before you were comfortable braiding your own hair?
  • 2) If anyone has bought the braidbybreslin dvd, would you recommend her to those who want to self-braid?
  • 3) how much did you practice? And did you buy a mannequin to practice on or did you just practice on yourself or real people? I have a seven year old daughter I can practice on...
  • 4) any advice to a new braider such as myself?
I'm going to suck it up and pay this $180.00 to get my hair braided this time, but I hope this is the LAST time.

THANKS A MILLION FOR ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS,

Rain
Click to expand...

It didn't take me THAT long, maybe a few days to feel comfortable with it (once I really put my mind to it). My mom taught me how to braid, so I had a little bit of an advantage since she used to braid people's hair. I can't remember how long it was before I felt comfortable. I just did it one day and said "f it." If it looks bad, it looks bad. LOL.

I've purchased the braids by breslin dvd. It was...okay (for lack of a better word). I mean, I really liked it, but I think her technique may be a little difficult for someone just starting out, but that's just MY opinion. There are actually tutorials on youtube now of people who show you how to do hair. There's a girl on there, I think her name is Thomasadrina. I can't remember. Anyway, she has a vid up that shows (IMO) pretty well how to put them in. I don't think it's the same as the Breslin one, but I'm not sure.

I tried to practice on a dummy head, but since I was only going to be braiding my own hair, I just started practicing on me.

I personally would suggest to use to mirrors to braid your hair. This is what I do. I get two floor length mirrors and prop them up against something. I use a chair and/or a hamper filled with clothes. Sit in between the mirrors. I do this so I can see the back of my head.

Also, you can make you parts slightly bigger in the back since the braids from the top of your head will cover them up. You can braid your hair quicker and save hair this way.

Sorry this is so long.
 
Thanks so much for your response. I wish my mama knew how to braid! Oh well. So, it's a possibility I can watch enough "youtube" videos tonight & tomorrow and maybe do my own hair on Sunday & Monday??? I'm all on that. I also found a link on this forum called

http://www.growafrohairlong.com/videoplaits.html

and I'm going to check it out to see if it will help also. If I can skip paying $180.00 this time, it's a done deal!!

I appreciate it.
 
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RAINOFGLORY said:
Thanks so much for your response. I wish my mama knew how to braid! Oh well. So, it's a possibility I can watch enough "youtube" videos tonight & tomorrow and maybe do my own hair on Sunday & Monday??? I'm all on that. I also found a link on this forum called

http://www.growafrohairlong.com/videoplaits.html

and I'm going to check it out to see if it will help also. If I can skip paying $180.00 this time, it's a done deal!!

I appreciate it.
Click to expand...


Oh yeah, girl. EVERYONE knows about that website. A lot members on here and BHM have learned how to braid from that website. :yep: I think you'll like it.
 
I am in the exactly the same position as you. A year transitioning thru braids but i do them myself. I will BC in a few months and keep braiding till im comfortable.

It didnt take me long at all. How I started was to take down and redo the front and back of braids I had done professionally. Once I got used to that, I took out a w/e and did a full head.
Dont bother buying the DVD. There are loads of Youtide vids and see my tutorial - http://journals.fotki.com/TemiLnd/Braidyouhair/

You will get better and faster everytime. Just got doen witha full head this afternoon.

Advice - Have your hair well moisturised before braiding, not oil or it will slip. I now use leave in con (any cheapie).

HTH
 
Thanks HTH,
I went and checked out your fotki and it helped tremendously. In fact, I printed it for future use- hope you don't mind. I also watched the video from the link I posted earlier in the thread.
I got so excited, I went out and bought all the supplies I need ($33.00 bucks in all) and began practicing on my daughters hair and I got it! She loved the few strands I did on her so much she wants me to braid her hair tomorrow. So, I prepped her hair tonight and will attempt to do her full head on tomorrow. It's not half as hard as I thought it would be.
I already paid for the dvd, (ordered it this morning) If I had posted here before I bought it, I might have waited on the - but that's okay. Maybe breslin will have something additional for me to learn.

The little money I paid to join this sight was so worth it. Joining just saved me $147.00!!! :2cool: I'm loving that!

If anyone's interested, I'll post the pics of my daughters head tomorrow.

Thanks again!!
 
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)how long did it take you to learn and how long was it before you were comfortable braiding your own hair? shoot, I have been self braiding since i was maybe 13 or 14..i started dong extensions on people for extra money when I was maybe 15 or 16..so I guess I have been braiding for over 20 yrs now..
2) If anyone has bought the braidbybreslin dvd, would you recommend her to those who want to self-braid? I never brought it..i just practice what i knew and just got batter over time..3) how much did you practice? And did you buy a mannequin to practice on or did you just practice on yourself or real people? I have a seven year old daughter I can practice on... I just did extensions on friends and then people wanted to pay me for it after a while..i would get a cheap mannequin and try it there and maybe use your daughter when u get it down a bit more..
4) any advice to a new braider such as myself
I tell everyone that you can do it! Just take your time..it may take you days to braid your own hair initially..but take your time and sit infront of a mirror and watch what you are doing..you will get it!
 
Thanks ladies! With the wealth of information I've obtained tonight, I can say I'm ready to braid some hair. I'm going to go rest up so I can make it do what it do on tomorrow after I get off of work. I knew how to plait hair before and cornrow a lil' bit so I guess I'm not a complete rookie... I'm anxious.

Wish me patience, I gotta feeling I'm gonna need some.

Thanks again and I'll update soon!
 
practice practice practice.

I have been braiding and cornrowing my hair for a while now (cant really put a number on it) but I would suggest that you learn how to braid your own hair alone first, then practice attaching extensions to it. It's the longer route, but once you get it down, you would be unstoppable, and you can focus on learning to braid properly first instead of dealing with the frustration of the added hair falling out.

Also, braiding your own hair is quite different from braiding other people's hair. So while it's not an entirely bad idea to practice on a mannequin or your daughter, your best bet is to master your own head first.

As far as extra tips: if you want the slick look, i would recommend using kanekalon. I think its a nice balance between using human hair and synthetic hair. And at a price of 99cents per pack, I aint complaining either :lachen:
 
Thanks,
so now I'm confused... should I not attempt to do my own hair this weekend? I'm working til 5 today and planned to get started when i get off. I was going to do a test run on my daughter's hair first and then proceed to do mine the rest of the weekend. I didn't take any pics, but the first few strands came out really well on her.

The only problem i had was keeping the kanekelon hair from tangling and I think i'm going to use a light gel because my daughter has really, really soft hair and it tends to crawl out of braids no matter what. Even when I've taken her to a braid shop, by day three her hair is making it's way out of the braid...

I spent last night watching & reading everything I was given & could find on braids, so I'm pretty comfortable with starting today... does anyone feel this is too soon to venture out?
 
Hey Rainofglory,
Im glad that you found the infor helpful. I dont really see any problem with you doing your daughters hair first. But dont do it too tight ok? Her little head is fragile. I would say start small then go for the whole head but honestly you just have to try or you'll not get better.
Keep us posted.
 
i love this thread. i thought the same thing, the shop charges waaaay too much. why am i paying $200 for you to braid my hair when the hair only costs about $5?! i originally got into it because my 13 y/o sister needed styles that last for weeks while i am away at college, and then i started doing my own hair (i did my own kinky twists last summer, and box braids are coming shortly). now i am teaching her to do it herself so a) she can refresh her own braids and b) so she can do her friends' hair. glad these ladies could be of assistance to you!
 
hi all.
so i started on my daughter's hair tonight, i have pics but my darn digital camera won't upload for some reason- so I'll try to post them on my fotki in the mo'nin. Anyhows, I think it looks pretty good and want you all to see.

The only issue I'm running into,is the tightness. Which is probably a good thing for my baby's head.... but when i start on mine, i need it to be tight. not headache tight, but tight enough to last two months.

I guess I'll go watch the video(s) again to see how she does that thing where you push the braid back up to the top.

So, i'll post pics for you wonderful ladies tomorrow (digital camera willing).

Getting ready to start on my own now.
t
 
lilsparkle825 said:
i love this thread. i thought the same thing, the shop charges waaaay too much. why am i paying $200 for you to braid my hair when the hair only costs about $5?! i originally got into it because my 13 y/o sister needed styles that last for weeks while i am away at college, and then i started doing my own hair (i did my own kinky twists last summer, and box braids are coming shortly). now i am teaching her to do it herself so a) she can refresh her own braids and b) so she can do her friends' hair. glad these ladies could be of assistance to you!
Click to expand...


So, how long did it take you to learn? Then get to the point where you were a 'natural' sorta speak?
 
My daughter's head looks better, but she's in the bed. Started on mine- tell me your thoughts, any suggestions before i get too far along?? The parting in the back is really hard, but I think with only one night of youtube/growingafrohairlong.com, I got the hang of it somewhat.....


here's the fotki i just started. ANY and all suggestions/constructive criticism is welcomed, i want my hair to look halfway decent when I'm done. I'm hoping to be done in time to go to work Tuesday morning.


Thanks Y'all! I love this sight.

http://public.fotki.com/rainofglory/diy-braiding-first-time-/ ** if it prompts you for a password, it's braids.
 
Okay, so I've seen some people have looked but nobody has said anything- is it that bad?? If it's that bad, just let me know. I would appreciate any comments. I want to get good at this.

I finished my daughter's head today- so take a look at her and tell me what you think. It took me about 8 hours - we took our time, had breaks, etc.

tell me what you think. Somebody please say something!! here's the link:

http://public.fotki.com/rainofglory/diy-braiding-first-time-/ password:braids. I deleted the one of those few lil' strands I had done on myself.

Thanks!
 
RAINOFGLORY said:
Okay, so I've seen some people have looked but nobody has said anything- is it that bad?? If it's that bad, just let me know. I would appreciate any comments. I want to get good at this.

I finished my daughter's head today- so take a look at her and tell me what you think. It took me about 8 hours - we took our time, had breaks, etc.

tell me what you think. Somebody please say something!! here's the link:

http://public.fotki.com/rainofglory/diy-braiding-first-time-/ password:braids. I deleted the one of those few lil' strands I had done on myself.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Somebody say something! I took the password off.
 
I have added some comments for you. The pics you posted are rather small so its hard to see but I think you did a good job.
 
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