French Braid with a Twist

Some mornings my hair is not cooperating. My two go-to hairstyles on these days are a high-bun or a half-way up doe. A hairstyle that I like a lot but rarely do is the French braid. I remember the first time I learned how to French braid; it was when I was 12 years old and my basketball teammates and I were on a three hour bus ride to a game. Ever since then, it has been a favorite hairstyle of mine. These days, I find it so easy and quick to make (but it used to take me forever to get it right). Today I didn’t feel like going with the original French braid, so I added a little twist. 1 hair tie, 6 bobby pens, some hairspray and 3 minutes later – this is the result. Here are some guidelines on how to get this style:

1. Start by taking a section from the top of the head (or wherever you wish to start). Separate this section into 3 strands crossing right over middle and then left over middle, as if you were doing a Basic Braid. 2. Switch all of the strands over to your left hand and keep strands separated. 3. You can now gather a small even section from the right side of the head with your right hand and add it to the right strand. 4. Bring the strand you have just added to, over to the middle and bring the middle strand to the right. 5. Now switch hands keeping all strands separate, so your left hand will be free. 6. Gather a section of hair from the left side of the head. Add this to the left strand. 7. You will now bring the left strand over to the middle and bring the middle section to the left. As you follow these steps, try to keep your hands close to the head so the braid will be tight. 8. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until there is no hair available to add. Finish style with a Basic Braid and fasten with an elastic. 9. Spray the half end of your braid with some hairspray and make it a bit loose. 10. Fold the braid and twist it under your French braid and secure it with bobby pens. Add hairspray. 11. There it is: The French braid with a twist!