Braided Sections Braiding Braid Section

A popular style for summer among women with long hair is braiding,
particularly among those women who will be spending large amounts of
time at the poolside or on the beaches. I've shown you the classic
French Braid, and the Rope Braid, and we all know the benefits of pigtail
braids in keeping the hair low-maintenance during busy activities, but
there are many other braiding techniques that can be performed.
The braid style I demonstrate here is especially good for summer because
it allows the air to circulate to the scalp and helps to keep the wearer cool.
It also allows the wearer to feel the movement of her hair, which some
women find comforting.

The process is a little time-consuming, but can be long-wearing and last for days
if treated properly. Depending on the hair's length and the size of the sections you use
(and therefore the number of braids) it can take 2-3 hours to braid the entire head.
However, once finished, the braids can be worn while swimming and even "shampooed"
using a mixture of shampoo and water poured through the hair and gently massaged
on the scalp. The same method can be used to condition the hair with a rinse-through
conditioner, although a leave-in works best. Wet braids can be dried by blotting with
a towel, being careful to gently pat the scalp instead of rubbing.

       To begin, dampen the hair with a leave-in conditioner or detangler and
comb out any tangles. Part your hair normally, or use a center parting.
Be sure to have a clean parting, as this is the line we will be 'building' off,
and we want all our partings to be as even and neat as possible. Choose a
side to begin sectioning and braiding and secure the side you are not
working with using a hair clip.

       Next, start on the 'working' side and part off a long vertical section of
hair from the center parting to the top of the ear. Comb the rest of the
hair back and clip it out of the way. The vertical section should be
approximately one-and-one-half inches wide. From the bottom of the section,
separate a subsection approximately one-and-one-half inches deep. Clip the
remainder of the vertical section out of the way. Divide your subsection into the three
separate strands and begin forming a standard braid. Be sure to make the braid tight
at the scalp and maintain the tension as you work your way to the ends of the hair.
You can continue the braid as far as you want, but should stop if the hair density begins
to taper. Once finished, secure the braid using an elastic band.

       Separate another subsection from your vertical section the same depth as the
first one. Separate the hair and repeat the braiding steps as listed above. Continue
until the vertical section has been divided and braided completely.

       Note: Depending on the size of the head, and hair-covered area, you may only have room
for three braids in the first vertical section. In this event, divide the vertical section into three
even subsections.

       Now, we will use the first braided section as a template. Separate a second vertical
section behind the first making it the same width as the initial section. Comb the
remaining hair back and re-secure it. Following the initial set of subsections, and
beginning at the bottom of the section, separate this section into subsections and
braid them as you did in the previous section.

       Continue in this fashion until you have completely sectioned, sub-sectioned and
braided one side of the head, then start on the remaining side of the head.

       Note: Because of the taper of the hairline at the nape of the neck, you may want to
use only one braid at the bottom of the last two vertical sections, and the sections at the nape
of the neck may need to be triangular instead of square.

       This type of braiding can be done using any shape of subsection you desire. As
you get more practiced you can use triangles, diamond shapes, or even curved lines
in your sections and subsections. The only limits are your creativity and patience.

©hairfinder.com

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Braiding Instructions For a Cool Summer Style