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What are the Different Types of Braids?

Jan Hill
Jan Hill

There are several different types of braids, but they are typically created with a few basic braiding methods. Three-strand braids, or over braids, are created by alternately crossing strands of hair over the center strand. Three-strand under braids are made by crossing the hair strands under the center strand. Micro braids, or cornrows, are three-strand under braids using very small strands. Some methods of braiding use only two strands of hair which are woven to form a distinct pattern. Most braids can be created on the scalp or off the scalp, and some extend off the head, while others do not. Braiding is commonly done on shoulder-length or longer hair, although cornrowing — braids woven close to the scalp across the head — can be done on shorter hair.

One of the most common over braids is the English braid. English braids are usually off the scalp and extend from the head. When creating an English braid, the hair is brushed back away from the face and gathered in one section at the nape of the neck. The hair may also be parted down the middle of the head from front to back and formed into two sections, one gathered behind each ear. Three strands are made from each section, and the right and left strands are crossed alternately over the middle strand, pulling the hair tight as the braid forms. Among all the various types of braids, English braids are one of the simplest to do.

A woman with a French braid.
A woman with a French braid.

A very popular type of over braid is the French braid. The French braid is also called an invisible braid, because it has an inverted appearance created by crossing the three strands over each other. French braids are most easily done on damp hair. The partings may be made either with the fingers or with the end of a tail comb, a long narrow comb that comes to a point. The French braid is created by weaving in strands from the head, adding more hair each time. This creates a braid close to the scalp as opposed to off the scalp braids.

Cornrows are three-strand under braids using very small strands.
Cornrows are three-strand under braids using very small strands.

The three-strand under braid, or Dutch braid, looks different from the French braid because the strands are crossed under each other, forming a visible rope-like pattern that sits on top of the hair. The under braiding method is also the one used to create cornrows or micro braids. These types of braids require extremely small sections divided into tiny strands. They usually begin at the crown of the head and are formed very close to the scalp. Cornrowing requires a high degree of finger dexterity. It is one of the most time-consuming and challenging types of braids to master. If done well, cornrows and micro braids have a beautiful, intricate effect. They can even be left in place while the hair is shampooed, allowing them to be worn a relatively long time.

Some braids use three strands of hair, while others use two.
Some braids use three strands of hair, while others use two.

Some types of braids, including fishtail, or fish bone, and herringbone braids, are done with two strands of hair instead of three. They are created on the scalp by alternately crossing one strand over the other. The hair is pulled tightly after each cross is made, and the strands are usually quite small, 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) to one inch (2.54 cm) thick. The smaller and more even the strands in a two-strand braid, the more woven, or herringbone-like, the effect will be. Two-strand braids done tightly with small strands also resemble the skeleton of a fish, which is where the names fish bone and fishtail came from.

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

I don't make my hair into a braid very often but when I do, it's always an English braid. It's so easy to make and works great for long hair. Indian women with long hair usually make an English braid. Their braids are so long and beautiful. I have seen many pictures and some Indian women have braids down to their hip.

donasmrs

@SarahGen-- Fishtail braid is beautiful, it just requires patience because it takes considerably longer to make.

I think that fishtail braids are easier to do with fine hair. Also, make sure that you are not working with a large chunk of hair. Fishtail braid works best with a small section of hair. People with very fine, long hair can make a fishtail braid with all of their hair. But those with thick hair need to section out smaller parts.

Fishtail braids are very easy to make. You just need to section out hair into two equal sections. Take a very small amount of hair from the bottom part of one section, pull it over and add it on top of the other section. Repeat this for each section and make sure to pull the strands thigh after each time to keep the braid together and neat.

Since it takes a while to finish this type of braid, I suggest tying your hair and pulling it forward so that you can work on it more easily. If you try to make this braid with your hair in the back, you might give up half way because your arms will be tired.

SarahGen

I love the look of fishtail braids. I think that this type of braid looks very neat and chic. I have tried it with directions I got off the net but it didn't work out. My braid did not look as it should, it was loose and in fact, came undone very quickly.

Is there a trick to getting the fishtail braid right?

TalkingByte

@Glasis - Unless you have excellent mirrors and are extremely nimble, you probably won't be able to do a French braid on your own.

If you don't have someone to help you and still want to do a fancier braid, you could try making two side braids and clipping them together with a hair tie or barrette so they appear to wrap around to the back.

There are also products available to help one person do an updo or elaborate buns.

Glasis

Is it possible to do a French braid on your own head? Most of the time, it seems like someone else needs to do it, but there's not always someone else there to do it.

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    • A woman with a French braid.
      By: Madeleine Openshaw
      A woman with a French braid.
    • Cornrows are three-strand under braids using very small strands.
      By: Monkey Business
      Cornrows are three-strand under braids using very small strands.
    • Some braids use three strands of hair, while others use two.
      By: poco_bw
      Some braids use three strands of hair, while others use two.