A new French braid using the waterfall technique~ I really love this look! (Pictures)

[arc691]

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/Smilies%204/funky11122232.gif

I experimented with "waterfall" French braids the other day after watching Lilith Moon's YouTube video on this technique, and tried something new...

First I parted my hair down the middle into two sections; then I waterfall-braided one side, leaving out the hair closest to the middle part. I did the same thing on the other side~ French braided in the waterfall style, leaving out the hair closest to the center part. Then when I was all done, I herringbone braided the hair in the center. Ta-da! Here's how it turned out:

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x472/andrearcolson/My%20different%20hairstyles%20album%202/fancybraid1.jpg


http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x472/andrearcolson/My%20different%20hairstyles%20album%202/fancybraid2.jpg


http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x472/andrearcolson/My%20different%20hairstyles%20album%202/fancybraid3.jpg


http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x472/andrearcolson/My%20different%20hairstyles%20album%202/fancybraid4.jpg


It looks better in person, but still, you can kind of see what I did in the pictures. Complicated-looking, but actually pretty easy (if you have a double-mirror situation somewhere so you can see the back of your head!)


http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/Smilies%204/thanks01.gif for looking!



http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/Smilies%204/card_tulips.jpg

[faerielady]

That looks great!

[Hairizona]

Absolutely beautiful!
I don't know how you are able to manage all your hair that way; you must have fantastic dexterity in your hands and fingers.
Beautiful hair too!

[julliams]

Gorgeous. It looks lovely. You are so good at creating styles.

[mistik]

That is absolutely gorgeous!

[Jean Stuart]

Looks great!

[Madora]

Truly incredible, Arc691! You are a hair wizard of the first water!

It would be terrific if you could post photos of exactly how you manipulated your strands to achieve the braiding effects.

How on earth do you manage to braid your very long hair, and not encounter tangles every time you move it? Do you have a system of some sort to aid you in creating the braided styles?
Inquiring minds are dying to know! Thanks!

[Phexlyn]

You are so creative with your hairstyles! It looks beautiful! :flower:

[arc691]

Truly incredible, Arc691! You are a hair wizard of the first water!

It would be terrific if you could post photos of exactly how you manipulated your strands to achieve the braiding effects.

How on earth do you manage to braid your very long hair, and not encounter tangles every time you move it? Do you have a system of some sort to aid you in creating the braided styles?
Inquiring minds are dying to know! Thanks!


Thanks, everybody! Wow, that was fast! I just now posted and already six replies!

Anyway, about the tangle issue~ I combed my hair out really well before I started, of course. I had washed my hair two nights before and used the ACV rinse, so it was still very soft and manageable, almost like it had been deep conditioned. This was my first attempt at waterfall braiding, so I was surprised at how the different sections I left out stayed together very nicely and evenly each time. I have a mirror on the front of my bathroom door, and when I open the door inwards I can look into the mirror on the bathroom wall and see the back of my head reflected in the door mirror. That's how I was able to see which hair I had already gathered in a previous section. This was also how I could see to do the herringbone braid in the center.

I hope all this makes sense! And again,

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/Smilies%204/Thanks.gif

[Vorvolaka]

W. O. W.

That's just brilliant!

[spidermom]

Impressive! You are so creative.

[Sundial]

That is really amazing! I still can't visualize exactly how it is done, but the action pics are great!

[Tatybird]

That is amazing! It looks great and I love the butterflies;)

[girlthursday]

Beautiful! Wow~

[WaitingSoLong]

So from what I can tell, you did two waterfall braids mirroring each other, then braided the waterfalls down the center and then braided the two side and the center into one braid and all into a bun.

You have some braiding superpowers there...

[bunzfan]

My first thought was:agape: that's absolutely amazing i cant believe how many different style ideas you come up with, Your the braiding queen.

[vanity_acefake]

So beautiful.
You are so good at updo's.
:)

[serious]

Beautiful!!!!

[jojo]

You are so creative, I love seeing your updos!

[Cowgirl16]

I love seeing all he beautiful hairstyles you are able to do. I wish I was half as good at updo's as you are :D

[lapushka]

Amazing. Wish I could braid like that!

[Intransigentia]

Wow. I love it. On top of the mad braiding skillz, you must have incredible endurance in your arms and shoulders.

[hsdoodles]

Your hairstyles are always so pretty!!!! :D I always look forward to these.

[Firefly]

Very pretty! Thanks for sharing. :)

[jel]

Your updo looks lovely, and so complex! I don't think I've even heard of waterfall braiding before...

[Chamy]

wow, that is so advanced, and it looks really pretty.

[invisiblebabe]

Wow. I love it. On top of the mad braiding skillz, you must have incredible endurance in your arms and shoulders.

That is what I was thinking! :D I love all of your hairstyles!

[BLove]

Wow can't wait to try it

[BrightEyes7]

Looks awesome... I doubt I could manage that on myself. I could probably do it on someone else... anyone wanna come over so I can practice? :D

Great style! Very pretty!!

Thanks for sharing!

[blackfrostqueen]

That is truly amazing! Wow!

[MissManda]

You are my updo hero! :flower: I always look forward to the next hairstyle you post.
I think this is my favorite of the styles you've posted so far. I'd love to try this sometime!

[emeraldshade]

Beautiful, beautiful!:)

[Milo]

Wow. you are a genius. It looks lovely and so neat and even! Amazing.

[ooo]

It looks beautiful, but I had to look very closely to see the difference from simple french classics. At least for me it would not be worth the effort,

[Sweetie]

Really astonishing!!!! Don't your arms hurt after a few minutes...?? I love it!

[RedStripe]

Wow, amazing and gorgeous! How do you find the patience to do that?

[sami]

What an amazing set of braids! I don't think I could manage that updo on someone else with any length hair, let alone my own if it even grew to bsl!

[rockprincess]

WOW!!! That looks gorgeous!

[alyanna]

I'm not sure which looks better, your hair or your actual post! :D

I'll vote for those beautiful braids though! Thanks for posting :)

[SwordWomanRiona]

Agreeing with everyone here, this looks gorgeous and SO neat!! :thud:

[lpsqt60]

So pretty! You rock!

[dragonchickx]

This is really beautiful, and looks really complicated I wonder If I will ever be able to do anything like this.. I really want to learn the 5 strand french braid. lol..

[lindaton]

Beautiful! And I cant even french braid my own hair.

[baaaad_kitty]

How do you...?? I just.. Oh that's awesome braiding!

[HintOfMint]

Gorgeous! But my arms hurt just looking at your beautiful updo, haha.

[cinemax]

Your hair is a stunning, work of art. Wow!!!!:D

[MeganE]

I'm drooling. What a great idea, it looks AMAZING!!!!!

[summerjade]

Oh, That is just beautiful. I love your hair color too. You are so talented!!

[arc691]

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/Smilies%204/CU169111.gif

Thanks, everybody, for all the responses to my pictures! You are all so kind!

[Aurantia]

Gorgeous! But my arms hurt just looking at your beautiful updo, haha.

LOL! I am sitting here with aching biceps from (simple, single) French braid practice thinking the same thing.

This style is so creative, arc691, and just darling.

[lilalong]

That looks very, very intricate. Amazing.

[Fairlight63]

That is so pretty! Your have such beautiful hair, a real inspiration!

[JuliaDancer]

That is gorgeous! I need to get more mirrors so I can see the back of my head while I'm styling. I can only see it when I stop, turn around, and hold up a little mirror... But you still must be very skilled to do that so neatly

[Madora]

Thanks, everybody! Wow, that was fast! I just now posted and already six replies!

Anyway, about the tangle issue~ I combed my hair out really well before I started, of course. I had washed my hair two nights before and used the ACV rinse, so it was still very soft and manageable, almost like it had been deep conditioned. This was my first attempt at waterfall braiding, so I was surprised at how the different sections I left out stayed together very nicely and evenly each time. I have a mirror on the front of my bathroom door, and when I open the door inwards I can look into the mirror on the bathroom wall and see the back of my head reflected in the door mirror. That's how I was able to see which hair I had already gathered in a previous section. This was also how I could see to do the herringbone braid in the center.

I hope all this makes sense! And again,

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/Smilies%204/Thanks.gif
Thank you for the information, Arc691! So impressive! Maybe there's hope for me in managing my ultimate goal length of 50 inches!

[JamieLeigh]

This is so gorgeous!! Thank you so much for sharing your photos and your technique. :D I imagine I will make a mess of it, French braiding can be a nightmare when you're past classic, but I'll try it out anyway, lol.

[camara]

That looks great! And so neat, too. :agree:

[LoveMyLongHair]

I wonder if you would consider posting a YouTube of you doing this? I am such a visual/hands on......seeing it done for me would be so much better. It is more than stunning, to say the least.

:thud: :thudpile:

I just can't seem to get up. :p

[dulce]

Absolutely beautifull!!!!!

[PinkyCat]

Wow. Just absolutely gorgeous. I really need to devote more time to practicing my braids.

[Madora]

Ohhhh! I second the vote for a step by step YOU TUBE demonstration! PLEASE? I'm dying to see how you manage your very long hair when creating this style! Thanks!

[IcarusBride]

Incredible ! I really really like it! My arms get tired so easily, I always give up before finishing complex styles like this, and my hair's relatively pretty short!

[SurprisingWoman]

Holy Smokes! That is absolutely incredible. Seriously beautiful.

I am in serious awe and more than a little envy.

[nebbish]

This is absolutely stunning! I don't think I'll ever be that good, lol.

[littlenvy]

Once again ... :) ... I love your hair and I really LOVE your skill with braids. You do beautiful work. :flower:

[Mrspuddinhead]

SO BEATIFUL!!! Now if only my hair was that long. Grow baby, grow, grow!! ;)

[ravenreed]

That is one of the prettiest braided updo's I have ever seen. Wow, I wish I was that talented at braiding!

[jenhow]

You are a wonder - I love it!

[Qadupae]

Arc, you make me envious ^_^ Thank you so much for providing your tutorials as always!

[arc691]

Thanks, everybody, for all your views and comments!
I really like the way this look turned out~ and it's actually not very hard, as long as you can watch what you're doing in a mirror!


I hope you have a


http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/More%20More%20Smilies/HappyDay_onwhite_glitterani-1.gif

[Barbie Diamond]

That is a great look for a wedding or something else special (even for the bride)!

[Eirelin]

Well, I tried it without a second mirror and with hair that is too short with layers (wow, do I hate layers!). I tucked the ends, but the tuck was falling out in no time. When it gets longer, it might look really nice.

I did realize that I have not done an actual French braid in a very long time. I almost always go for Dutch braids instead., so I had to keep reminding myself all the way through to go backwards, go backwards.

However, I don't know that I will ever be able to make it look as beautiful as yours, arc619! Thank you so much for the inspiration!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249583_231288803550178_100000071796284_1103015_634 6449_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247522_231288830216842_100000071796284_1103016_653 9037_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252489_231288770216848_100000071796284_1103014_331 2129_n.jpg

[bunzfan]

Well, I tried it without a second mirror and with hair that is too short with layers (wow, do I hate layers!). I tucked the ends, but the tuck was falling out in no time. When it gets longer, it might look really nice.

I did realize that I have not done an actual French braid in a very long time. I almost always go for Dutch braids instead., so I had to keep reminding myself all the way through to go backwards, go backwards.

However, I don't know that I will ever be able to make it look as beautiful as yours, arc619! Thank you so much for the inspiration!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249583_231288803550178_100000071796284_1103015_634 6449_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247522_231288830216842_100000071796284_1103016_653 9037_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252489_231288770216848_100000071796284_1103014_331 2129_n.jpg

Wow that's just beautiful, i will have to give it a try.

[Idun]

Simply stunning! :thudpile:

That must have taken quite some time with your lenght!

[dulce]

Really lovely!

[lapushka]

Awesome. I love the way it looks without a clear part!

[milagro]

This is absolutely stunning :flower: I love the style on both of you Arc and Eirelin!
Second the step-by-step instruction :pray:

[Kyla]

That's beautiful! I really admire how many styles you come up with, and how creative you are in making them. :)

[khan]

Would you come braid my hair????:o

[QueenJoey]

Pretty!! When (and if) I ever have the pleasure of having hair as long and beautiful as yours, I'm coming to you for styles. :)

[Slinks]

well done and hats off to you both :-) really, really very pretty and creative ..

[Baileygirl]

Really nice braid. Beautiful Hair.

[catholicteacher]

WOW! I think I could do that more easily than a five strand, where I tend to run out of fingers. It will be good incentive to learn how to herringbone. Thank you for sharing.

[luthein]

So creative! I've never seen this before. It looks great.

[arc691]

Well, I tried it without a second mirror and with hair that is too short with layers (wow, do I hate layers!). I tucked the ends, but the tuck was falling out in no time. When it gets longer, it might look really nice.

I did realize that I have not done an actual French braid in a very long time. I almost always go for Dutch braids instead., so I had to keep reminding myself all the way through to go backwards, go backwards.

However, I don't know that I will ever be able to make it look as beautiful as yours, arc619! Thank you so much for the inspiration!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249583_231288803550178_100000071796284_1103015_634 6449_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247522_231288830216842_100000071796284_1103016_653 9037_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252489_231288770216848_100000071796284_1103014_331 2129_n.jpg



http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/More%20More%20Smilies/WOW-2.gif

This looks terrific on you! Way to go!! Absolutely marvelous!

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy68/terryandjody/More%20More%20Smilies/BirdsHugs.gif

[malumsam]

WOW. I adore this and am bookmarking it! The very reason I started to consider growing my hair out was because I wanted braids - so thank you so much for sharing this!

You have gorgeous color btw! :blossom:

[pittsburgpam]

Oh wow!!! That is gorgeous!!! I wish I could do that as I just last night did a French Braid on myself. I hope I can do it again this morning for work after my shower (not washing hair today).

I want bangs too, maybe get the courage this week to do it.

[Sagi1982]

Beautiful done! I always admire your hair styles! And your hair itself, of course! ^_^
Wonderful!

[kimberleyju]

absolutely love it!

[carmenvanessa]

Girrrrrl you must have some toned arms :disbelief

[Peggy E.]

...And I'm sitting here going "What's a 'Waterfall French Braid?!' "

If you're at this elementary a level, charging off on this gorgeous style is a bit of a joke! :o(

I can't see it working real well with thin hair, either. Guess I'll just have to accept my fate - gazing upon the beautiful pics of others....

Both of those styles on you talented ladies are nothing short of stunning. And I think that braids really show off the glory of color of your hair, the way it soars and hides, turns and curls, so the light touches it in different sections as it passes over head.

[Xandergrammy]

I am officially in awe of your braiding skills! :bowtome:

[Darkhorse1]

This is gorgeous arc!! I am still struggling with the waterfall braid because I have bangs and everyone on youtube shows it without. I love the look of this and may try it but I always have problems with my ends braiding as I braid the top. Gets me defeated-though I did finally mater the Arwen braid, so I'm getting better ;)

[Vespertine]

Gorgeous! I'm definitely going to try this. Thanks for posting!

[Eirelin]

This is absolutely stunning :flower: I love the style on both of you Arc and Eirelin!
Second the step-by-step instruction :pray:

Many thanks to everyone, and especially to arc! I didn't mean to steal your thread, but after seeing this on you, I simply HAD to try it.

For those who want to know how to do it, I will try to give you an idea, but checking Lilith Moon's video on Youtube will help a lot.

First, you part your hair down the middle. Starting on one side (this assumes the right side), you begin a French braid. You do a couple of passes (right over, left over, add to right, add to left, do it again... This seemed to be best for the braid on the right side of my head. On the left side, I started with left over). The next step is where it changes.

Remember, this one is the right-hand braid, with the left-hand strand being the one closest to the center parting. You do the first part normally, adding to the right strand and passing it over the middle. But instead of adding to the left strand and passing it over, you then drop the left strand, draping it over your head, out of the way. Then you pick up the next strand you would have added to the left and continue with it alone, left over. Then add to the right strand, right over, drop the left strand, add a new strand to the left, left over, etc. You continue this way all the way down your head until the waterfall braid is finished. Now you have strands draped all over the back. I put those up in a ponytail holder to get them out of the way and proceeded on to the other side.

Now you do the same thing for your second French waterfall. Again, remember this is the left side of your head and the strands that are dropped will the right-hand strands, closest to the center parting. You do two regular passes (left over, right over, add to the right, add to the left, do it again). Next pass, add to the left, pass the left strand over, drop the right strand (remember, closest to the center of your head), pick up new right strand, pass new right strand over, add to the left, pass left strand over, drop right strand, pick up new right strand, pass new right strand over, etc. Continue all the way down your head and fasten off at the end.

Now you have 2 pretty waterfall braids on each side of your head with a mess of strands in the center. Pick up first two strands in the center, at the top of your head. Take the right strand, cross it over the left strand. Pick up the next left strand, the one lying on your head. Bring it up toward the left and then back over the strand in your left hand and over the strand in your right hand to add it to the far right side of the strand in your right hand. Now pick up the next strand on the right, lying on your head. Bring it up toward the right and then back over the strand in your right hand hand and over the strand in your left hand to add it to the far left side of the strand in your left hand. Continue all the way down your head. Pick up next left strand, over and add to the right. pick up next right strand, over and add to the left, and so on.

When you get the bottom, you can then choose what you want to do with it. I ended up taking the ponytail holders out of the French waterfalls and adding them in to the herringbone/fishtail braid, going all the way down, fastening off with a ponytail holder, and tucking it in. Obviously, this didn't work too well, but it was about 4 or 5 in the morning and I was tired :) Arc obviously has mounds of hair, much more than me, so she was much more creative.

I like the way it makes the back of my head look kind of like a basket ;P

I hope this makes sens to you. This is the same wording I mutter to myself as I am doing it ("Right over, left over, add to right, right over, drop, switch, left over, add, right over..." etc.), which probably sounds silly but once you get each step, it helps you keep track of which one comes next. Or at least, it does for me.

Sorry if it doesn't make sense. I have never tried to give instructions before.

[katha]

This looks awesome!

[utdesertrunner]

That is so beautiful!!!!

[LoversLullaby]

Your hair is beautiful. I love it!!! :)

[Jules2910]

Styles like this are why I want to grow my hair! You are all such an inspiration!

[Curlyg27]

Yay! Thanks for sharing :)

[khan]

Thank you Eirelin for that description. It's a great addition to the description Arc gave us. I'll have to open up word & make a copy.

[Immera]

Amazing. Well done.

[Eirelin]

Thank you Eirelin for that description. It's a great addition to the description Arc gave us. I'll have to open up word & make a copy.

You are very welcome. I hope that I wrote it all down correctly. Maybe if Arc could take a look and see if my instructions are right. Doing it and describing it are, I found out, very different things.

I have to say that I think this is my very favorite hairstyle in a long time. Please, someone else do it and post pictures :)

[Olga-Freya]

It's looks so beautiful!

[faithsdaisy421]

That is absolutely beautiful :) I LOVE it!

[Yamainu]

Holy cow! That's gorgeous!

[jennydaesy]

:cheese:beautiful french braid

[excentricat]

From someone who's lost strands doing a 3 strand dutch braid, that is truly awe inspiring. Very lovely.

[Masara]

...And I'm sitting here going "What's a 'Waterfall French Braid?!' " .

Oh Good. I thought I was the only one!! :)

Having looked on you tube, I think I've already tried a waterfall braid on my daughter, but it looked all wrong one her fine hair and slipped out too fast. This technique should keep the "waterfall" strands under control.

Eirelin, thanks for the instructions. I was particularly wondering what to do at the end and how to keep the waterfall strands out of the way.

Arc, how did you finish the braid? Even the tail looks complicated.

My fingers are itching to give this a try but I need to clarify my hair first (not a style to try with tangly hair) and then find the time to practise.

[Lostsoule77]

Arc that is simply gorgeous. You are so amazing. I was looking for something different to do with my hair for my wedding. I think you may have just found it for me so a huge thank you. Now all I have to do is see if I can do it or get somebody else to. :)

[milagro]

Thank you Eirelin :flower: t is a very good and detailed instruction. Nevertheless I have two problems:
1. my French braids don't keep tight even if I fix the waterfall strands with little jaw clips. As soon as I release them to make the herringbone the whole gets loose and I get big loops instead of French braided hair. I don't understand what I do wrong here.
2. Probably relates to the (1). If I pass strands over one part and over the other I don't get the herringbone pattern, it is just messy. Are you sure it is over and not under the other part of hair? Or probably it is me :(
Any ideas about how to sort it out? I'm dying to make this pretty 'do! :pray:

[jennydaesy]

very pretty hairstyle

[missoj]

All I can say is WOW

[Eirelin]

Thank you Eirelin :flower: t is a very good and detailed instruction. Nevertheless I have two problems:
1. my French braids don't keep tight even if I fix the waterfall strands with little jaw clips. As soon as I release them to make the herringbone the whole gets loose and I get big loops instead of French braided hair. I don't understand what I do wrong here.
2. Probably relates to the (1). If I pass strands over one part and over the other I don't get the herringbone pattern, it is just messy. Are you sure it is over and not under the other part of hair? Or probably it is me :(
Any ideas about how to sort it out? I'm dying to make this pretty 'do! :pray:

It does get loose and looks like a big mess going down as each side. When I finished one side, I grabbed all the loose strands (which I had left draped over my head towards my face) on the top of my head, pulled them up and away from my head, and then put a ponytail holder around them. Very loose and very messy. Then, when I was done with the second side, I removed the ponytail holder and tugged all the loose strands into the center.

The herringbone is the hardest part to explain (doing it mentally as I try to type it out). Okay, left strand over right strand. Then pick up the next strand, bring it out and over the left, over the right, and then add to the far side of the right hand. Then pick up the next right strand, bring it out and over the right, over the left, and then add it to the far left side of the left hand.

I can't think of any other way to describe it. Maybe I left something out the first time. It definitely goes over the strands because that's what you do with a regular herringbone. You could try doing just a straight herringbone first to get the feel of it before trying it this way. I don't do them often at all because, even though it is very simple once you get the hang of it, my arms end up getting too tired.

When you are doing the herringbone, it pulls the two French braids together and tightens them.

Maybe Arc can help (help??)

[October]

Very pretty. :D

[milagro]

It does get loose and looks like a big mess going down as each side. When I finished one side, I grabbed all the loose strands (which I had left draped over my head towards my face) on the top of my head, pulled them up and away from my head, and then put a ponytail holder around them. Very loose and very messy. Then, when I was done with the second side, I removed the ponytail holder and tugged all the loose strands into the center.

The herringbone is the hardest part to explain (doing it mentally as I try to type it out). Okay, left strand over right strand. Then pick up the next strand, bring it out and over the left, over the right, and then add to the far side of the right hand. Then pick up the next right strand, bring it out and over the right, over the left, and then add it to the far left side of the left hand.

I can't think of any other way to describe it. Maybe I left something out the first time. It definitely goes over the strands because that's what you do with a regular herringbone. You could try doing just a straight herringbone first to get the feel of it before trying it this way. I don't do them often at all because, even though it is very simple once you get the hang of it, my arms end up getting too tired.

When you are doing the herringbone, it pulls the two French braids together and tightens them.

Maybe Arc can help (help??)

Thank you! I will do it again and again till get it right :D
How tight do you braid? The strange thing is that when I do the herringbone part and tighten the loose strands, the French braided parts get looser, like poofing up. In the end I have no French braid pattern but big loops on the sides and some criss-crossed mess in between :( I braid as tight as possible and still it happens each time.