What's the secret? (Basic braid question...)

[Tomb Raider]

I'm embarrassed to even post this but I am having a problem with the basic single braid Every time I do one on myself, the braid is twisted at the top (the start of the braid). I want the whole braid to lie flat, even that part at the top (perfectionist that I am). I don't have this problem when I braid other people's hair, just my own! If I bring the hair over one of my shoulders and braid it that way, it's nice and flat when I put it back over my shoulder, but then it is lopsided-- leaning toward whichever shoulder I did the braid over And I'd have to be a contortionist to do a braid with both hands up over my shoulders I just want a straight, neat braid that is centered at the nape of my neck and lies flat all the way down... like the ones I've seen on Anne, Pixna and others. So I'm just wondering, how do you all start a basic braid?

[Pixna]

Hi, TombRaider! I generally start braiding behind my head. I could do this with my eyes closed -- no mirror is needed. Then I braid about 1/3 of the braid that way. I lift the braid up in the air if I have to in order to finish the first third of it. Only then do I put it over my shoulder to finish the remainder. At that point I generally use a mirror, though it's not really necessary.

We had talked about twisty braids a while back, but I think we were focusing more on the bottom part getting twisty, not the top part. Nevertheless, I believe we determined that it had to do mostly with tension and with keeping the tension (and thickness) among all the three braid sections equal, and also keeping the tension consistent throughout the whole braid. This takes a bit of practice, especially as hair gets longer. I think the longer the hair is, the more important this becomes.

I hope there's a tidbit of assistance in this. I wish I had a simple answer, but I think starting the braid in back (instead of on the side), having equal sections, and keeping the tension even are the secrets.

[Cowgal]

Maybe you need to practice more on the tension? If your braid is crooked, then you might be pulling too hard on one strand or not enough on another.

[Pixna]

Originally Posted by Cowgal

Maybe you need to practice more on the tension? If your braid is crooked, then you might be pulling too hard on one strand or not enough on another.

Yeah......that's what I was TRYING to say (but you did it much better and in fewer words, Val!).

[Dulci]

yeah, what Pixna said. :P

It takes a little practice, but you really should try starting the braid with your hands behind your head. It does get easier. Once the braid is centered and off to a good start, then you can bring it over one shoulder and finish it.

Somewhere on http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/index.htm I think I remember her saying that overhand (French) braids lay nicer on the nape than underhand (Dutch) braids, but I like both.

The hardest part is probably dividing the sections equally, I've been braiding my own hair for years and can probably count the number of times I've divided perfectly on one hand LOL.

And yes, I agree, tension is important. Equal tension, yet making it not too tight or too loose is key.

[Dulci]

Originally Posted by Dulci

...Once the braid is centered and off to a good start, then you can bring it over one shoulder and finish it.

I wanted to clarify this, so just for you Tombraider, I took out my braid and did it over so I could be more clear! (I hardly ever take my hair out during the day!)

I only made 3 full turns (R over L, L over R = 1 full turn) behind my head before bringing the braid over my shoulder, repositioning my hands and then finishing it. It sounds like Pixna does more turns before switching, so you'll probably have to play around with it to see what's right for you. I just didn't want you to think you had to be a contortionist to braid your hair. But do try starting it with your hands behind your head.

[Tomb Raider]

What would I do without you guys? It never occurred to me to start the braid one way and finish it another (d'oh!). I have been practicing and doing it that way has made a HUGE difference! I still am just a bit twisted, but I think that's because I have to continue to experiment with the tension until I get that part right. Pixna, Val and Dulci-- thank you so much! (And Dulci, I'm honored that you had a braid undoing just for me! thank you!)

[Cowgal]

That's good news! Braiding is a must. They are nice by themselves, but then also good for updos.

I didn't realize you were trying to braid it with the hair *just* pulled over your shoulder! Now I can see why you were having trouble! I start off behind my head too, and then bring it over my shoulder.

Good luck and happy practicing!!

[Azhure]

The way I braid looks so silly I start braiding it behind my head and then out and up behind my head. Perfect braid. Although it is getting to a length that I can only braid so far now before I run out of arms I will have to learn how to do the over the shoulder braid. I haven't yet mastered that.

[bikerbraid]

I'm with Pixna, I start behind my head, and gradually lift my hands and hair over my head. When I run out of arm that direction, I bring the braid over my shoulder. I have found that the longer the braid is before I bring it over the shoulder, the more even the braid will look and the less likely the whole braid will be off center.

[Tomb Raider]

Thanks again, everyone! Sounds like everyone does it pretty much the same way, and now it's working for me too. I'll have to keep practicing to get the tension right though, that will take a little more time, but at least I know I'm doing it the right way now!