| s can be elegant or basic, and there are many hair | | | | practice and with a partner. There are many |
| braiding styles to suit every taste and lifestyle. Classic | | | | illustrated handbooks that will guide you step-by-step |
| hair braiding styles bring to mind a school girl look with | | | | through the process of braiding hair, and will give you |
| braids at the sides and bangs at the top. This look | | | | some great ideas for hair braiding styles. This is a |
| never goes out of style, and can look a bit striking | | | | basic technique for braiding hair: |
| and sassy on a grown woman. Hair braiding styles | | | | • Clean and dry hair. Straighten hair with a |
| also include elegant twists and curves. There are | | | | styling gel and blow it dry |
| even hair braiding styles for men, and some of the | | | | • Divide hair into three sections. Hold the left |
| toughest guys can be seen sporting braids. | | | | side between the left index finger and thumb, leave |
| Hair braiding styles depends on the way the braids | | | | the middle section free, and take the right side |
| are created and what direction they tend to go. A | | | | between the right index finger and thumb |
| French braid will seem to move inward toward the | | | | • Take the middle section with the middle |
| inside of the head. The French braid works well with | | | | finger and pull it behind the right section. Use your |
| layered hair. The Dutch braid looks as if it is sitting on | | | | right thumb and index finger so this part becomes |
| the top of the head. Both French and Dutch hair | | | | the middle section |
| braiding styles can be quite versatile; You need not | | | | • Using your left middle finger, pull the middle |
| confine yourself to the typical "up down" braided | | | | part behind the left part. Stretch the left index finger |
| look, but you can create braids that go out toward | | | | and thumb to make the left side the middle. |
| the sides. You can create a braid on top of hair that | | | | • Repeat this process until you have braided |
| is hanging straight, or create tiny braids swept across | | | | the hair. |
| medium to short hair. | | | | • Pull the braids tight by pulling down on |
| Unusual hair braiding styles include Bo Derek style | | | | sections of the hair. |
| cornrows, which are tiny braids that are made all | | | | Once you have braided your hair, you can |
| over the head and decorated with beads. Although | | | | experiment with various hair braiding styles. One hint |
| this style can be time-consuming, it is meant to last. | | | | is to smooth beeswax on the braids to keep them |
| Other very intricate braiding styles use seven or nine | | | | from coming loose. You can twist your braids into a |
| strands. Men are discovering hair braiding styles, with | | | | braided bun, arrange them into a circle with bobby |
| Viking braids, and some bikers can be seen with small | | | | pins, or transform them into rope loops with another |
| braids underneath leather head bands. Some add | | | | piece of elastic. If you arrange your braids on the top |
| braids to their mohawks. As more men opt for longer | | | | of your head, you might consider decorating them |
| hair, more hair braiding styles for men will surely | | | | with hair jewelry or small flowers. Braided updos |
| evolve. | | | | make an excellent formal look for proms or |
| • Hair braiding styles require, first and | | | | weddings, and it is a great way to take your |
| foremost, excellent braids. If you are new at braiding | | | | everyday hair braiding styles and dress them up by |
| hair, you can pick up this skill with some time and | | | | arranging the braids and add special highlights. |