How to Braid Someone Else's Hair or the Front Section of Your Own Hair.

• Start by applying a styling gel, mousse or pomade to clean, damp hair and blow-drying it as smooth as possible. Braiding hair that has not been washed that day and already has hair products in it also works well.
• Divide tangle-free hair into 3 even sections. Place the left section between your left index finger and thumb, let the middle section hang free and place the right section between your right index finger and the thumb. This will start to create the hair braids.
• Grab the middle section with your right middle finger and pull it so that it passes behind the right section. Extend your right thumb and index finger so that the portion of hair therein becomes the middle section.
• Use the left middle finger to pull the middle section behind the left section and extend or straighten the left index finger and thumb to make the left section become the middle section. Pay attention to the smoothness and tension of your hair braid sections.
• Shift the portion of hair hooked in the right middle finger so it is in the middle of the right index finger and thumb; repeat the process, then shift the portion of the hair hooked in the left middle finger so it sits in the middle of the left index finger and thumb.
• Continue until you have achieved the desired length of the hair braid. Make a tighter, tighter braid by pulling the middle section into a horizontal line as you pull it to the right or left. For a loose, elongated braid, just shift the middle section to the right or left, letting it remains in a vertical line.
• Tie off the ends of the hair braid with a rubber band.

How to Braid the Back of Your Own Hair?

• Style the front of your hair, including wisps, bangs and tendrils, before you begin your hair braid. Divide tangle-free hair into 3 even sections.
• Lift your left elbow to shoulder height and make a thumbs-down fist around the left portion of the hair and do the same on the right side, letting the middle portion lie against your spine.
• Extend your left index finger and hook the right section of the hair. Pull it in front of the middle section, letting it slip totally out of the right hand. Grab the middle section of the hair with your right hand, pull it to the right side, then resume the thumbs-down fist position with both hands.
• Extend your right index finger, hook the far left portion of the hair and let it slip totally out of the left hand. Continue this process until the braid is complete.

To braid very long hair, you may have to free a hand to pull the portions all the way through. Secure the developing braid by pressing your knuckles into it as you shift your hands for the subsequent cross.