Thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of iconic characters like the Black Widow, Queen Elsa, and Katniss Everdeen, the French braid is back in its complete glory with a twist. If you want to get on the trend wagon but do not know how to do a side French braid, stick around! Whether building a snowman or fighting Thanos, the side French braid has your back! It looks extremely chic and exudes elegance, ideal for any event or occasion. The hairstyle requires minimal styling and can easily upgrade your fashion quotient. You can also play around with this side braid and add a personal touch. You can also pair it with other hairstyles like low buns or updos. The side French braid is very easy to learn and works with all attires. So, do believe us; try it out for yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well a side braid works with a gown and a business suit! So, keep reading to learn how to achieve a side French braid easily.
Before You Get Started
Fun Fact
The origin of the French braiding technique is unknown. Many claim that it was created in Greece or Africa. In fact, the Tassili n’Ajjer mountain range in Algeria, Africa, has rock art displaying the French braid technique that dates back nearly 6000 years ago.
1. Brush your hair:
Brush out all the knots and tangles from your hair. This will make it easier for you to pick up small sections of hair to add into your braid.
2. Spritz on texturizing spray: Texturizing spray will give your hair some hold and prevent your braid from loosening and your hair from slipping out of it through the day.
3. Part your hair on one side: Part your hair deeply on one side. Section away and tuck in your bangs behind the ear that is on the opposite side. This will keep your bangs out of the way when you’re braiding your hair.
Shutterstock4. Section your hair: Pick up a section of hair from right next to the parting and divide it into three equal sections for your braid.
Shutterstock5. Do one stitch of braiding: Start off by doing just one stitch of a simple braid by alternately flipping the back strand over the middle strand and then the front strand over the middle strand.
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Shutterstock6. Add more hair to the back strand: Now, to start French braiding, pick up a small section of hair from the crown of your head and add it to the back strand of your braid before flipping it over the middle strand.
7. Add more hair to the front strand: Now, pick up a thin section of hair from near your forehead and add it to the front section of your braid before flipping it over the middle section.
8. Continue French braiding: Keep repeating steps 6 and 7 alternately while following your hairline to continue your French braid down the side of your head.
Shutterstock9. Start adding hair from the back of your head: As you continue French braiding down the side of your head, you will have to start adding hair from the very back of your head to keep going.
Shutterstock10. All your hair will now be in 3 neat sections: Once your French braid has gone past your ear, you will run out of hair to add to it and your hair will be neatly divided into three equal sections. It’s going to be smooth sailing from here.
11. Simply braid the rest of the way down: Now all you have to do is simply braid the rest of the way down. Easy peasy!
iStock12. Pancake your braid: Tug apart and loosen your braid from the center to give it more volume and make it look wider. This will lend a more softer and romantic look to your hairdo.
Quick Tip
After pancaking the braid, spritz some hairspray on it to prevent loose strands and tame flyaways. You can also apply mousse before braiding your hair for a stronger hold and grip while braiding.
Shutterstock13. Secure the ends: Just tie up the ends with thin clear hair elastic or one that matches the color of your hair.
Shutterstock14. Conceal the hair elastic: Pick up a thin section of hair from the tail of your braid and wrap it around the hair elastic to hide it from view. Leave the very end of this section out and pull it downward.
Shutterstock15. Tie the ends up with another hair elastic: Tie another hair elastic right under the wrapped section of your hair to secure it in place. Push the hair elastic further up and under this wrapped hair to conceal it completely.
ShutterstockAnd voila! You’re done! Now, French braiding is one of those things that take a bit of practice to really get the hang of. But once you get the knack, you’ll be French braiding like a pro within minutes! Don’t forget to try out a bunch of different side braid hairstyles to hone your skills of side braiding. This exercise will help you in your quest to master beautiful French braids with some innovative ideas to make them look perfect! Here are just a few to get you started!
A tight side French braid looks neat, but how about a puffy one? This bridal hairstyle incorporates the side French braid in a loose, voluminous look. It gives an elegant fullness to your hair and is the perfect example of sophisticated glamour, making it ideal for a bride’s big day.
Here’s a style that takes the innocent appeal of the French braid and flips it 180 for an intensely edgy look. French braids of different sizes all over the scalp, almost like uneven cornrows, are woven till the back of the head and secured into a ponytail with multiple braids.
Once you’ve perfected the art of French braiding, you can combine it with pretty much any other braiding style and create a hairdo uniquely your own! You could, for instance, do one small simple braid and incorporate it into your side French braid to create this gorgeous combo braid that’s perfect for school or work!
Instead of just going down one side with your French braid, you can cross it over to the other side (like the famous Katniss braid). Wrap the end of this braid in a bun and accessorize it with a cute little bow to create a more formal updo.
An accent braid is a cute way to add a bit of oomph to the hair down look. This sweet side French braid accent adds a delicate feminine vibe to your look and seamlessly complements your natural beauty. It also takes about 3 minutes to do and looks great on straight, wavy and curly hair!
The inverted side French braid (or the Dutch braid, as it is also known) has been made famous in recent times thanks to Frozen’s Queen Elsa. This gorgeous Dutch braid hairstyle exudes a classy vibe and looks fit for a royal look.
In her lifestyle blog, Jennifer Ritchie provides insights into maintaining “sun chic” hairstyles suitable for the hot and humid climate of Antigua, emphasizing the impact of having aesthetically pleasing hair on her overall sense of beauty and confidence. She suggests, “Having pretty hair just makes me feel, well, pretty (i).”
This stunning double French rope braid hairstyle has been charting high on the popular hairstyles list lately. The minimalist hairdo is super easy to do, making it a good option for casual brunches and meetings. The double braids keep the hair in place, and if you have long enough hair, they can be knotted together for an elegant updo! This easy braided hairstyle adds a modern twist to classic hairdos, offering a versatile look.
The timeless waterfall French braid hairstyle is definitely one of our top favorites! The humble yet gorgeous hairdo is something you can flaunt at any event and gathering. It can be done in minutes, and promises you longevity as well. If you are someone who does not want to indulge in intricate hairstyles but also wishes to look like a medieval princess, then this waterfall French braid hairstyle is surely for you!
Now that you know how to achieve the hairstyle, the next section covers some tips on how to get a perfect side French braid every time. Keep reading!
While a side French braid can look a tad intricate to begin with, with a little practice, you can achieve a flawless side braid for sure! Follow these tips to perfect your technique.
1. Start With The Right Hair Texture
The texture of your hair can make a big difference when styling a side French braid. You can try this look on 2 or 3 day old washed hair. If your hair is freshly washed, it may be too slippery to hold the braid well. To add grip, you can use dry shampoo or a texturizing spray. These products add volume and make it easier to weave your hair without strands slipping out. If your hair is naturally very fine, consider backcombing the roots for extra lift.
2. Choose The Perfect Placement
Decide if you want a side, deep side, or middle parting depending on your face shape. Then part your hair as needed, generally a deep side parting. Then gather your hair just above the ear on the fuller side of the part. Braid your locks along the curve of your head and let the ends rest on your shoulder. .
3. Section Evenly For A Balanced Look
One of the most common mistakes when braiding is uneven sectioning. Make sure to divide your hair into three equal parts when starting the braid. As you add in new sections of hair to the French braid, try to keep them even in size.
4. Tension Is Important
Maintaining consistent tension while braiding is crucial. Too loose, and the braid may fall apart or look messy. To strike the right balance, pull gently but firmly as you weave each section.
5. Secure The End Properly
Once you have braided all the way down, use a clear elastic or one that matches your hair color to secure the end. Secure the wrapped hair with a bobby pin, ensuring that the pin is tucked discreetly into the braid.
6. Finishing Touches
You can gently pancake the outer sections of the braid for added volume. It makes the braid look thicker and fuller. Avoid pulling too hard to prevent the braid from unraveling. You can also add a light mist of hairspray to help hold the braid in place.
The key to mastering a side French braid is practice. The more you do it, the easier and quicker it will become. Here are some common mistakes that people make while braiding their hair. Read on!
Don’t worry if your first few attempts are less than perfect. Try braiding in front of a mirror or even practicing on someone else to get the hang of it.
French braids are such a popular hairstyle because of their versatility and sophisticated looks. Although practice is the best way to perfect a technique, some quick tips are always helpful.
Check out the infographic below for some tips on making French braids.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
French braiding can take a little time to master, but it is totally worth the effort. It can be worn with any outfit and has an elegant and sophisticated appearance that is perfect for any event or occasion. Follow a good French braid tutorial and braid your hair the right way. You can also experiment with this side braid to add your own unique touch and wear it with different hairstyles, such as low buns or updos and even play around with countless hair accessories. Try out some of the cool hairstyles shared on this post and feel the sophistication of the Parisian style.
How can I accessorize my side French braid for different occasions?
Depending on the occasion, you can use decorative hair pins or flowers for casual looks and elegant ribbons or clips for formal events. For a classic and chic look, you are weave the braid with a silk scarf.
Does a French braid damage hair?
A french braid done loosely does not damage the hair, but if it’s tightly worn, then it may cause itching and pull on your hair shafts, resulting in damage to the scalp or leading to hair loss.
How long should I leave French braids in?
You can leave French braids in for 3 to 4 days, but the hair shafts may become loose and come out of the braid if they are not tightly braided.
Is it OK to French braid wet hair?
Braiding wet hair may cause hair breakage as wet hair extends more than dry hair. However, as wet hair makes braiding easier, you can wait for the hair to dry a little bit and use moderate tension while making your French braid.
What is the difference between French braids and Dutch braids?
Dutch braids are often referred to as inverted or reverse French braids. When weaving French braids, you cross the side sections of hair over one the middle section. But when weaving Dutch braids, you need to cross the side sections underneath the middle section.
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
Wondering how to create those beautiful braid hairstyles you see your favorite stars sport? Check out this video that shows you how to get them in a few easy steps.
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Andrea Claire is a Canadian-licensed celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist with over 30 years of experience in advertising, beauty, and editorial portfolios. She has done campaigns for brands like L’Oreal Paris, Revlon, and Lancôme and editorials for Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Shape, and more.
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