Lace Braid

1. Section Off

Section off hair from the front of your head, towards the back of the top of your head. Put the remaining hair below that into a ponytail. If you have trouble doing this try clipping the top section of the hair so you have hands to tie the bottom half into a ponytail.

(The hair in the ponytail won't be used for the rest of the braiding process).

2. Braid

Brush your hair over to one side (the side towards you), exposing your ear. Starting behind the ear take three pieces of hair and braid once.

3. Add

Now add hair to the side closest to you forehead (almost as you would in a dutch/french braid, but you're only adding from the one side).

4. Follow Through

Continue braiding--either in a french or dutch braid pattern, the choice is up to you--across the top of your head (not right up on your hairline, this isn't a headband braid).

(The photo shows the braid starting at the top of the head, it is a different variation of the braid and is not the one being shown in this tutorial)

5. Braid Off

Once you reach the other side of your head braid off the remaining hair and tie with a hair tie. You can now take the bottom hair you tied back at the beginning out of it's ponytail.

Rope Braid

1. Separate the ponytail into 3 strands. Hold 2 strands in the left hand and 1 in the right hand.

2. Wind the strand in your right hand around your index finger to the right. Then switch hands so that all 3 strands are in your right hand, separated with your fingers. Hold onto wound strand, so it does not unravel.

3. Bring the wound strand over so it is now on the left. Then switch all 3 strands back to the left hand.

4. Now your right hand can wind the right strand again. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to the end of the ponytail. Do Not release or the rope will unravel!

To secure Rope, fasten with a tight elastic.

French Over Braid

1. Start by making a clean part from behind one ear across the top of the head to behind the other ear.

2. You may prefer the subject rest her head to the side for comfort, like on a table or pillow.

3. Now you can start close to the ear facing up and French braid until you get to the top of the head, then she can sit up.

You should continue on until you get to the other ear. Finish with a Basic Braid and fasten with an elastic.

Waterfall Braid

STEP 1 Section & French Braid

This style works best on straight or loose waves. Brush out all the knots with a wide tooth comb. Part your hair how you normally would, and begin your braid on the right side of your part. Grab the top section and divide into three strands.
Braid your strands regularly three times, beginning from the right strand. When you get to the left strand (the part closest to the middle of the scalp), add more hair to it like a French braid and fold that strand to the center.

STEP 2 Drop The Strand

This is where it gets tricky. After you've French braided your left strand (now center), drop the right strand and let it fall down. Pick up another small section of hair next to where your original strand fell—that's your new right strand. Braid it into your style as usual and repeat this process—French braid the left strand, drop the right strand, and pick up an adjacent new piece. Gradually cascade the style towards the middle of your head.

STEP 3 Pin & Secure

Once you've reached a comfortable point to stop your braid, secure it to your scalp with bobby pins. You don't have to pin up your hair perfectly in this section since you'll cover up the pins with a hair accessory later.

STEP 4 Fishtail Accent

Braid the remaining piece of hair left from your cascade into a fishtail braid. Not sure how to create this mermaid-inspired style? It's easy with this helpful fishtail braid tutorial. Secure the braid with a thin hair tie.

STEP 5 Add Accessories

Add a cute bow or flower to hide your bobby pins and give this look some extra hair flair. Secure your barrette tightly to your scalp and braid for a firm hold.

STEP 7 Final Touches

Take the extra strand of hair on the opposite side of your face and pin it back into the flower barrette so it blends in with your cascade. Spritz with a light-hold hairspray, and you've got yourself a beautiful and romantic summer hair style!

The Finished Style:

Fishtail Braid

STEP 1 Brush & Section

Detangle and brush out your hair so it's easy to handle. If you need to, smooth out flyaways and frizz with a grooming cream. You don't have to have stick straight locks to rock this look, just keep things knot-free! Divide the hair into two even sections starting from the middle of the scalp.

STEP 2 Weave From The Right

You can begin braiding from either side, but we're starting from the right. Use your pinky and ring finger to grab a small section of the hair (approximately 1/4" inch) from the back of the right side. Add this section to the left side by folding it over with your left hand.

STEP 3 Weave From The Left

After you've added a strand to your left side, take your left pinky and grab a 1/4" strand from the back of the left section. Fold it over and add it to your right section. Make sure these first few strands are tighter so you get comfortable with the process and nothing falls loose.

STEP 4 Continue Weaving

Continue weaving strands from the left and right. You're going to be weaving more or less depending on the thickness of your strands. But trust us—the fishtail effect looks so much better when you weave thinner pieces instead of thicker. It make take longer, but it's worth it!

STEP 5 Finish Up

Once you're at a comfortable place to end your braid, secure it with an elastic band or a clip. If you feel like your braid is too tight, loosen it by gently massaging the strands with your hands. Grab both hands simultaneously and gently pull away from the braid. This technique gives the braid that casual and effortless look.

STEP 7 Personal Touches

Styling elements add a dash of whimsy to this relatively simple design. Incorporate ribbon, feathers, barrettes, headbands, or whatever hair flair you may own. For Beauties with longer hair, don't stop with a basic side braid—experiment with different styles! Try twisting your fishtail into a gothic-looking updo or add more flair by adding a headband. With a handful of bobby pins and hairspray, the possibilities are truly endless.

The Finished Style:

Crown Braid

Steps:

[Section off the front of your hair]

[Take a 2 1/2-3 inch section of hair at the top of your right ear and start the under braid. Cross the bottom strand under the middle, then the top under the middle and then the bottom under the middle. This part of the braid goes straight across the back of your head. Work with your hands close to the root of the hair. The keeps the braid tight]

[Add a new section of hair from your crown every time you have a new strand a the top of your braid]

[Continue braiding until you reach the other ear. Remove the hair pins]

[Keep braiding in the same manner. When you get near your temple start guiding the braid upwards to go over the top of your head. I chose to leave a few strands out in front of my face]

[Continue braiding until you reach the start of the braid]

[Once you reach the start of the braid you stop adding new strands. Finish braiding the rest of the hair and secure with a clear elastic.  Use bobby pins to connect the braids. If you hair is very long pin the new braid under the main one.]

Twist Braid-Step by Step

Directions: Gather a section of hair where you want to start the twist. Insert your index finger from under the section to the top of the section, splitting the section into two strands.
Twist both strands in the same direction and cross over in the opposite direction.  In this example, twist to the right a couple times, then cross the right hand strand over the left hand strand. Gather small sections of hair (as for french braid) and add one to each strand before continuing.
Repeat instructions 3-4 to bottom of head. Repeat instruction 3 to bottom of braid.
Finish off twist with hair fastener.