chopandchange
February 16th, 2010, 12:25 PM
I've read all about Dianyla's version of the 3-strand braid, and how it helps to stop it coming loose and flopping over your ears. I tried it, and the problem for me is that I am one of those people who gets a very sore head if my hair is swept straight back instead of remaining in its parting. My hair needs to stay in its parting, so doing a Y-parting is not an option for me.
So, in case there are any other people here with the same problem, here is a version I found that works equally well functionally, even though it doesn't have the same visual impact as Dianyla's version. I haven't seen it posted here before (if it is, I'm sure you'll let me know and point me to the relevant thread). It isn't really a variation on a braid as such - just a trick for a better way to start your braid in order for it not to sag down at the sides.
I call this braid the "faux French" braid!
My instructions are below, but Torrin has also kindly made a video tutorial, which you can view here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kOyGD_KOoA)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Separate hair into four vertical sections at the back of your head. (DON'T PANIC! I PROMISE THIS IS GOING TO BE A 3-STRAND BRAID)! The two middle sections should each consist of one third of the hair, as per the strands in a normal braid. The two outer sections should each consist of half of one third.
To simplify: from left to right, your strands should be as follows: thin, thick, thick, thin.
2. Now bring the two outer (thin) sections into the centre (crossing them over the middle two thick strands). Now your strands will look like this: thick, thin, thin, thick.
3. Now combine the two thin strands in the middle by brushing/combing them together to form a new middle section. You should now have three strands equal in thickness, which look like this: thick, thick, thick - as per the strands for a normal braid. The only difference is that the sides of your hair are anchored in place thanks to this preparatory step, and shouldn't slip.
3. Braid as normal.
Hope this helps someone and my instructions are clear.
So, in case there are any other people here with the same problem, here is a version I found that works equally well functionally, even though it doesn't have the same visual impact as Dianyla's version. I haven't seen it posted here before (if it is, I'm sure you'll let me know and point me to the relevant thread). It isn't really a variation on a braid as such - just a trick for a better way to start your braid in order for it not to sag down at the sides.
I call this braid the "faux French" braid!
My instructions are below, but Torrin has also kindly made a video tutorial, which you can view here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kOyGD_KOoA)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Separate hair into four vertical sections at the back of your head. (DON'T PANIC! I PROMISE THIS IS GOING TO BE A 3-STRAND BRAID)! The two middle sections should each consist of one third of the hair, as per the strands in a normal braid. The two outer sections should each consist of half of one third.
To simplify: from left to right, your strands should be as follows: thin, thick, thick, thin.
2. Now bring the two outer (thin) sections into the centre (crossing them over the middle two thick strands). Now your strands will look like this: thick, thin, thin, thick.
3. Now combine the two thin strands in the middle by brushing/combing them together to form a new middle section. You should now have three strands equal in thickness, which look like this: thick, thick, thick - as per the strands for a normal braid. The only difference is that the sides of your hair are anchored in place thanks to this preparatory step, and shouldn't slip.
3. Braid as normal.
Hope this helps someone and my instructions are clear.