How To French Braid Your Own Hair 2 Braids

Okay, let’s talk about a real hair miracle: French braiding your own hair into two braids. It looks impossibly chic, like you just stepped off a French farm or a Coachella stage. But does it have to be a nightmare to do yourself? Spoiler alert: No, it doesn’t. With a little patience and some very forgiving arms, you can totally nail this.

Why Two Braids?

Why not? Two French braids are the ultimate hair multitasker. They keep your hair out of your face while you’re diving into a bag of chips or pretending to adult. Plus, they make you look like you have your life together. Even if you’re currently wearing sweatpants and haven’t showered yet.

It’s a look that screams “effortless” but actually requires a little effort. That’s the secret, right? We’re going to make that effort feel like a fun puzzle instead of a hair emergency.

What You’ll Need (The Low-Tech Arsenal)

Grab a rat-tail comb for that perfect middle part. It’s basically a unholy union of a comb and a tiny sword. You’ll also need two hair ties. That’s it. No magic potions, no third hand.

You might want a mirror. But honestly? I’ve done this by feel while watching a disaster movie. It’s a skill, people. A skill born from desperation and caffeine.

Step 1: The Great Divide

Part your hair straight down the middle. Use the rat-tail comb’s pointy end to draw a line from your forehead to your nape. Be brutal. A crooked part here will haunt you for the next two hours.

Now, clip one side away. Out of sight, out of mind. We’re going to focus on one braid at a time because we’re not octopuses. We’re humans with ambitions.

Step 2: The Starting Triangle

Take a small section of hair from your front hairline on the unclipped side. This is your starting point. Don’t grab a giant hunk, okay? Start with a section about the width of your thumb. Trust me on this.

Split that tiny section into three equal strands. You’re now holding three strands of hair and a lot of hope. Say hello to your new best friends.

Step 3: The French Braid Logic (It’s Just Math, But Better)

Here’s the trick: you’re just doing a regular braid, but you keep adding hair from the sides. Start by crossing the right strand over the middle. Then, cross the left strand over the new middle. That’s a regular braid move.

Now, before you cross the right strand again, grab a tiny bit of loose hair from the right side of your head. Add it to the right strand. Then cross it over the middle. See? You’re adding volume as you go. It’s like a braid that eats extra hair for breakfast.

How to French Braid Your Own Hair on Two Sides – segohair.com

Step 4: The Left Side, Same Deal

Repeat on the left side. Before you cross the left strand over the middle, scoop up a small piece of hair from the left. Add it, then cross. Keep going until you reach your nape. Your hands will feel clumsy at first. That’s normal. That’s how you know you’re learning!

If you mess up? Unravel it. No one is judging you except the cat, and the cat doesn’t pay rent. You can always start over. I’ve restarted a braid four times. It’s fine. It’s character building.

Step 5: The Final Countdown (and the Second Braid)

Once you run out of hair to add from the sides, just finish with a regular three-strand braid all the way to the ends. Tie it off with a hair tie. Congratulations! You have one French braid. Now, take a deep breath and a sip of coffee. You earned it.

Unclip the other side. Repeat Steps 2 through 5. Your muscle memory will kick in. You’ll be faster. You might even start humming. When you’re done, you’ll have two gorgeous, symmetrical braids. Feel that power?

Pro Tips from a Recovering Clumsy Person

Keep your sections small. Tiny pieces make a neat, tidy braid. Giant chunks make a messy, lumpy log. We want chic, not a bread loaf on our head.

Don’t pull the braids too tight against your scalp. A little looseness gives that soft, romantic vibe. Or you can pull them tight for a sleek, sporty look. It’s your hair. Be the boss of it.

If you can’t see what you’re doing, use two mirrors. One facing you, one behind you. Or just guess. Guessing is a valid strategy. I’m living proof.

The Big Finish

Now, look in the mirror. You did it! You made two French braids on your own head. That’s basically magic. You can wear them to the grocery store and feel like you’re in a music video. You can sleep in them for cute, wavy hair tomorrow.

So go ahead. Give your arms a rest. You deserve a cookie. And maybe a tiny nap. You’ve just accomplished something that makes other people say, “Wait, you did that yourself?” You can just smile. And say, “Oh, this old thing? It was nothing.” Because now it isn’t.