Braiding for men is an excellent and practical solution for securing your hair during gym, outdoor activities, and even on bike rides. It’s an ancient hair tradition and can revamp your hairstyle to a whole new level.
Braiding your hair by yourself is an art and it takes some time and practice to master. But once you do, it will make a big difference.
Men’s Guide on How to Braid your Own Hair
Preparing your hair in advance is essential if you want to make perfect braids.
Taking the effort to comb out your hair strands and produce clean sections results in better and longer-lasting braided hairstyles.
In contrast to plaiting, which just intertwines individual hairs to retain them close to the scalp, braiding involves the use of extra hairs on the head in order to achieve the braided look that we all admire.
We’ll start with the fundamentals of plaiting and work our way up to applying it to our hair braiding.
The braiding process is always done with either three strands or five strands. Today we will only explain the technique with three strands as it’s simpler and the same technique can be applied for five strands.
The entire plaiting to braiding process would be done by using just three of your fingers (index finger, thumb & middle finger). You would be using your thumb and index finger to hold the side of the strands and the middle finger would be used to pass the hair between the other fingers.
- Get your hair dry and combed out before you begin.
- If your hair is particularly prone to tangling, you may want to try using a little bit of hair oil.
- Let’s start the process by grabbing a chunk of hair. This is not for braid but rather a plait.
- So, we will start by separating the hair into 3 almost equal sections.
- Once done, use the middle finger to grab a bit of hair and take to the other side.
- Then use the other fingers to take the strand to the middle.
- In the meantime, use the middle finger to grab and bring it to the other side.
- Then use the opposite thumb and index finger to get the other strand to the middle and again bring it to the other side.
- You will notice how your hairs are intertwining with itself. Let’s repeat the same process and keep plaiting all the way down.
- Now that we are clear with the plaiting process, we will go ahead and braid.
- Let’s tie up the side bits of your hair to restrict movement.
- Now we will start with the middle portion as it’s the easiest. And the same technique of braiding can be applied on all parts of your head.
- Now do the same thing on the other side of the head.
- If your hair becomes tangled when braiding, simply comb through the knots with your fingertips.
- Once completed, you will have 3 sections of plaits.
- Same as before, lets twist each hair with your pointer finger and middle finger to bring it to the middle.
- Keep adding hair from sides into each strand of the middle. Make sure to keep it pulled and tight.
- Keep adding hair to the side where its stemming from. Pull and secure.
- Once you have completed the process on all the hairs, your head would be covered with plaits.
- The puffy left out hairs can be fixed with a hairpin.
- A transparent elastic may be used to hold the braided hair at the ends.
Pro Tip: Never braid your hair too tight as the tension can cause harm to your hair and scalp. Braiding too tight have been associated with male pattern baldness and hair loss.
Final Thoughts
Braiding is a hairstyling and maintenance technique that has been practiced for centuries, and it’s a tradition that will continue to evolve with time.
Learning how to braid your own hair is one of the easiest ways to get creative with your look. Even if your braid doesn’t turn out well the first time, keep trying! Remember, it’s not permanent– you can always take it out and try again. With practice, patience, quality hair products, and step-by-step tutorial videos, everyone can learn how to braid hair.
Once you master the basics, experiment with the size, shape, and number of braids to create your own unique looks. Soon you’ll have a repertoire of beautiful styles that are perfect for hectic mornings, lazy days at home, and special occasions.
For those who are new to braiding and want to experiment with various styles, this is an excellent option.
You may also put your braids in a high bun instead of braiding them. This is a fashionable appearance that is also functional.
Check the article on 5 Benefits of Long Hair for Guys
FAQ
Is there a trick to braiding your own hair?
No, there is no trick to braiding your own hair. The skill of braiding one’s own hair is something that takes time and effort to perfect. However, after you have done so, you will notice a significant change.
What is a Viking braid?
Many prominent Viking haircuts may be found in historical records. The “Viking Braid” is the common name for this Nordic Braid. With its recent rise in popularity, this braid hairstyle has become a must-have for guys who want to channel their inner warrior! There are two braids on each side of the head, plus a French braid in the center, to complete this warrior hairstyle.
Is it better to braid your hair wet or dry?
It is always recommended to braid your hair dry as dry hairs have more strength and more resistance to damage. You should always avoid braiding on wet hair as the wet hair cuticles have more elasticity and less strength. Braiding your hair wet can lead to hair breakage.
Creative, versatile, and passionate about her craft, Rupa Das is a well-recognized name in the world of fashion and makeup! This is a woman who has been in the fashion and makeup industry for 24 years and is still one of the leading international makeup artist in the circuit! She has worked in big brands like Lakme, Green Trends, Colors and transitioned to become a Beauty (Hair & Skin) Trainer.