1. Wash and blow-dry your hair thoroughly before you go for your braiding. Having braids may make keeping hair clean more difficult, so it is essential to ensure the scalp is clean before braiding.

2. It is sometimes common to experience a slight headache after getting your hair braided. This may mean your hair has been braided too tightly. If you find the headache unbearable and wish to minimize the discomfort, try a hot shower. The steam from the shower will ease your pain by loosening the braids.

3. Avoid attaching heavy braids to short hair, as the weight of the braids may cause them to become detached.

4. Wash your braids with a moisturizing shampoo once a week to keep them clean.

5. To maintain your natural hair and facilitate its growth, keep your hair well-conditioned through oiling.

6. If you wish to clean your scalp, but do not like to create lather, soak a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply it the scalp. This is an effective way to combat dirt and reduces the itching associated with braiding.

7. If you are bothered by sunburn, place a few drops of sunblock on your scalp to reduce scalp burn.

You then lift the tape and cellophane cast from the client’s head and place it on a wig block (a head shape made from canvas or wood). Using a grease pencil, the wig master traces around the cast making a pattern of the client’s hairline on the wig block. The wig master then cuts pieces of plain blue paper and pins it on the wig block within the pattern lines.

Learn how to make a lace front wig.

Why get a hair braiding DVD? Like I said earlier, you need to learn. Who better to learn it from than one of the top hair braiding stylist in the country. She knows what she’s talking about and you can see with your own eyes, over and over again, the results.

Now you could get your cousin to teach you, or hang out at the salon for three weeks. But who’s got time for that? Don’t delay - in order to be a hair braiding pro you need to learn from a pro. It’s time to kick your hair braiding styles up a notch, feel me?

Learn more about Hair Braiding DVDs.

Braids offer endless styles and patterns which look wonderful on children. They last a long time and require no chemicals. It is necessary to wash braids regularly to keep them fresh and clean.

Which particular braiding style you choose may depend largely on your preference and hair type. For example, if you have brittle hair, it’s best to stay away from micro braids, which can cause damage.

It is necessary to use caution while twisting and turning your braids into different styles, especially if you have a delicate scalp. Remember that braiding tightly can cause damage to your scalp and hair. Use a good quality synthetic fiber for braiding.

Make sure that you do not leave braids in for more than two months. Otherwise, braids may “lock up” and cause severe damage to your hair. Avoid using heavy and thick shampoos, conditioners, and pomades on your braids. To keep your scalp moisturized, use a light oil.

You must be careful when using a conditioner after you wash your braided styles. It’s best to avoid leave-in conditioners altogether, since they soften the hair and loosen braids. Creamy conditioners are also harmful, as they are hard to wash out.

Use a cotton, silk, or satin scarf to cover and protect your braids. A cotton scarf is the best choice if you have oily hair. Cotton absorbs the excess oil in the hair and allows it to breathe.

Cornrows lay flat against the scalp, and are one of the healthiest of all braiding styles. You can create cornrows using a process of braiding and picking up hair along a row. Your own hair or artificial hair extensions may be used. The hair to make cornrows should be approximately 5 cm for springy African hair, and 7 to 8 cm for straight hair. However, you can create cornrows with shorter hair if you use extensions.

With proper maintenance, cornrows can last from four to six weeks. The hair may become “locked” or “matted” if you leave them in for too long.

The better you care for your braids, the longer they will last. Keep your hair moisturized and protect it from harmful elements. Cover your hair with a silk or satin scarf while sleeping at night. Lastly, unbraid your cornrows immediately if you find them tight and uncomfortable.

Braiding hair is an age-old art that can be traced back to ancient Egypt. In Africa, it’s a tradition that’s been handed down from generation to generation. Braiding begins by first dividing the hair into different sections, each of which can be styled in such a way that it enhances a woman’s face and facial features. Braiding generally starts from the forehead or at the crown of a person’s head. The individual braids can be curved, woven in a zigzag fashion, or made into diamond-like or star?like shapes; based on the look that most suits the face.

One of the most common African braids types is the Country Plait. This kind of braiding is done by dividing hair into sections and then braiding each section separately. These braids are done close to the scalp, giving the hair a neat and sleek look. Another braid type is the Cornrow, which is a slight variation of the Country Plait. Then there is the simplistic single braid where you take a small section of the hair very close to the scalp and braid it until you reach the end. All of these braided hairstyles can be done in a variety of widths, so if you choose to take a thinner width, you will require more braids and of course, more time. If your hair is short and you want to go for a long hair look, you can add extensions to the existing hair. You can also add beads while braiding to give your hairdo a colorful look. Lately, the fashion is to try out micro braids or invisible braids. Wigs done with micro braids are also available.

In addition to the above mentioned braid styles, you could also experiment with the African or Zulu knot where hair from each section is twisted and tied into a knot. Looking beyond traditional African hairstyles, you can try the well-known French and Rope braids, which are suitable for any occasion. Otherwise, you might wish to go for a multi-braided style which can give you a special look for an important event.

There are many professionally maintained parlors and salons where you can get your braiding done flawlessly. These professionals can also help you maintain your hairdo by giving you tips and advice on braid care and maintenance.

Long hair has a greater chance of breaking than short hair when woven into tiny separate braids. Therefore, short hair may be more suitable for micro braids.

Here are some tips on how to prepare your hair before getting micro braids:

- Get a hot oil treatment, which replenishes damaged and dry hair.

- Moisturize and deep-condition your hair.

- Trim your hair of any split ends.

Some important things to remember if consider micro braids:

- If you have brittle or weak hair, avoid micro-mini braids which can damage hair further.

- Consult a professional and seasoned braider to do your micro braids (someone with at least 10 years in the business).

- Get a style that your hair can support, which means avoid putting a lot of weight on your hair. Overburdening hair causes breakage.

- Braids should not be too tiny or too tightly woven.

- Do not leave braids in for more than two months. Doing so may lead to thinning or severe breakage.

- Do not use thick and heavy shampoos, conditioners and pomades, as they may leave residue in the braids and cause your scalp to turn flaky.

- Use a light oil to moisturize your scalp.

Post braiding hair care:

- Regular visits to a salon professional are necessary to maintain beautiful braids.

- Keep your scalp moisturized and conditioned. Protein treatments should follow a good conditioner that rebuilds hair follicle and restores elasticity.

- Drink plenty of water.

- Get an occasional scalp massage. You should oil your scalp and hair once a week. This will keep the scalp and hair moisturized. Heavy scalp conditioners can leave unsightly residue in the folds of the braids.

- Your diet should be healthy and rich in nutrients.

- Avoid excess stress and get plenty of rest.