Did I do it? (french braid)

[LotusFIre]

Ok so this is the most successful attempt I have had so far with french braiding. I am wondering did I do it right? I know its a bit messy and my hair is short. I have been trying to learn this for a long time, I want to be able to do my hair in french braids when it gets longer too. My hair won't stay in an English braid too well because it isn't long enough and it ends up being thick and chubby and doesn't look too great.The front shorter layer and bangs always slip out of it too.
Is there something cute I could do with my bangs and any short hair in front when I braid it or french twist it? Thanks.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5592723214_94ffe94dda.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56465232@N07/5592723214/)
IMG_1354 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56465232@N07/5592723214/) by franmail08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/56465232@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5592723026_c6e6b9c571.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56465232@N07/5592723026/)
IMG_1326 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56465232@N07/5592723026/) by franmail08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/56465232@N07/), on Flickr

[excentricat]

Looks good!

I like the shorter pieces hanging loose, but you could bobby pin them back if you don't. Maybe twist them first so it looks on purpose? I'm not sure on that one.

[selderon]

I'm not sure what to call that, other than cute. It doesn't look like any braid I recognize. The texture is excellent!

A french braid usually looks more like this (http://www.womenfashiontrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Hair-Style-French-Braid-2010.jpg).

[BrightEyes7]

I agree... It doesn't look like a normal french braid. I'm not quite sure what you did different, but it looks cute!!

[Madora]

LotusFire, you're in the ballpark. You've got the general idea about adding strands to each side as you work down.

Now all you have to do is work on getting the added strands to be of the same thickness and adding them in smoothly. It looks like a French braid - using the "English" variation (the overhand method).

You might find French braiding your hair using the French "Dutch" version (the underhand method) easier. This variation forms an actual raised braid on your head that you can feel, whereas the "English braid sort of melds into your head hair and looks more woven in appearance.

Keep practicing. It takes time to learn to French braid...but when you've finally mastered the technique it can lead to all kinds of interesting hairstyles! Good luck!

[Zefyra]

LotusFire: I say you're on the right track, just keep practicing!

Selderon: I think that might the most beautiful french braid Ive ever seen! *envy*

[lilalong]

French braid or not, it looks cute!!!

[pepperminttea]

It looks different to me, maybe a new type of braid? :) Not a typical French braid, but very pretty and unusual.

[selderon]

Selderon: I think that might the most beautiful french braid Ive ever seen! *envy*

I know, right? (It's not mine, sadly. Mine are... humorous right now.)

[skyblue]

I really like that! It looks like a french knot braid, I think you invented a new braid!
So how did you do it cause I really want to try it

[Zéphine]

The braid looks like it might have gotten twisted a couple times. It looks really pretty! I want to try copying it.

[lapushka]

It's certainly not a bad start! I agree with Zéphine. Looks like some strands got twisted in on each other somehow. You'll get better at this the more you do this braid, so don't worry. I remember my first attempts, and they weren't as successful as yours. I think you did great!

[BlueCanary]

Looks like my first few "successful" attempts at french braiding. Very pretty. =)

[excentricat]

It may also be that you're adding in the new sections underneath the existing braid instead of covering it like in selderon's picture. I wouldn't worry about it unless it was for some fancy function or something.

[SwordWomanRiona]

I like it! French braiding is really hard for me with my fine hair...Your braid looks much neater than my third attempt here below :). The braided hair up to the nape tends to fall down in a mess a short time after braiding, ah me :rolleyes:-
http://1i1qpw.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p-z1WOV5wsYVMo7bnDQ1fLEvSd3rMSKcKXdR56eRnWnKAc2BjnC2 7QKVMhDHRp8SQUTYHjxbkLUeSePwVAK55GIJ00Oy_ZYIf/100_1297.jpg?psid=1
So if this thread helps me to improve my French braiding, I'm only too happy :rolleyes::D

[LotusFIre]

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVXuKRgh8yk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVXuKRgh8yk")

This is the link to the video that I learned from. I am a little :( that a lot of you don't think it's a french braid, but thank you for being honest. I know the pieces weren't all even and I may have made a mistake or two with the strands, but I thought my hair looked similar to Lilith's end result. I think I grabbed too much hair toward the end because my arms were killing me :D
My hair isn't long yet and I have a few layers so it's not going to be perfect.
I am going to keep practicing though, I'm not giving up! :brickwall

[spidermom]

Not bad; that's coming along nicely. One thing you have to remember is to take each new strand of hair from the outer hair line near your face and scoop up all the hair from there to the location of the braid when you add strands. It looks to me like you grabbed a few from near the braid and then crossed over that with new strands from nearer the hairline.

But you created a very unique-looking braid; you can be proud of that.

[jojo]

It looks good and you have the jist, remember to add little pieces from alternate sides, to get it more french braidy!

[dollface]

it looks like my hair when i french braid....it looks like the pieces that you're braiding aren't equal that's why the shape of the braid is off it happens to me a lot. it could also be the tension of the braid. it still looks nice though and is a near replica of the one i have right now!

[LotusFIre]

Thanks I feel better :)
I have done it wet and it is easier to get it tighter. I have shorter layers in front so its hard to get all the peices equal. I am practicing every day though. I think dutch braids are easier for me.
Thats what I have in right now.

[AnqeIicDemise]

I know what you did! I used to do it too. I'd plait, forget to add the hair, then remember the next time and while adding the hair in, I'd twist it so it wouldn't go into itself and blend smoothly. Its all in the hand positioning... and I find myself still twisting the hair as I'm adding it because my arms get tired.

I am loving it, though. :D

[LotusFIre]

I know what you did! I used to do it too. I'd plait, forget to add the hair, then remember the next time and while adding the hair in, I'd twist it so it wouldn't go into itself and blend smoothly. Its all in the hand positioning... and I find myself still twisting the hair as I'm adding it because my arms get tired.

I am loving it, though. :D
Yeah, I think I need to do some braiding exercises ;)
My arms get tired easily and that's when I mess up.

[nighthawk]

Looks very pretty, I like it.