Basic techniques - level 2

This hairstyle was made using level 1 & 2 techniques: the waterfall twist and a lace braid.

Basic techniques - level 2

In an earlier post I described the level 1 basic techniques, the beginners braids: techniques you should master before trying to create more complicated hairstyles and braid creations.

Today I'll explain what I call the level 2 basic techniques:

• Waterfall twist: this is the easiest version of all waterfall braids. You only have two strands and the only thing you do, is twisting the strands with a strand in between every time. Check out the tutorial for a more detailled explanation.
• Waterfall braid: if you've mastered French braiding, you can also do a waterfall braid. This braid looks a lot like French braiding, the only difference is that you drop your strand on one side each time and replace it with a new strand.
• French fishtail / Dutch fishtail: those who have mastered the regular fishtail braid, can try adding in hair. If you cross the strands over, it's a French fishtail; if you cross the strands under, it's a Dutch fishtail. Tip: use small strands, also when you're adding in hair!
• 4 strand braid: under-over, over-under... This is the only thing you should constantly repeat when doing a 4 strand braid. Once you've got this, you'll see this isn't a difficult braid at all!
• Slide up braids: these are braids that will always give a fun result and usually a lot of compliments. Personally I love the 4 strand slide up braid most, but for those who are still practicing the 4 strand braid, the 'regular' slide up braid is perfect!
• French twist: instead of a French or Dutch braid the French twist is a fun variation. Just keep in mind: in a French or Dutch braid, you'll first add in hair on the left side and then on the right. In a French twist you add in hair on the left and on the right before twisting further. A variation is the lace twist, where you only add in hair on one side.

Another time I'll explain the level 3 techniques, these are a little more advanced again. Good luck for now practicing these techniques!

Waterfall braids <> feathered braids

The waterfall braid is one of my favorite braids. The braid itself can get you a lot of compliments already ("How did you do that, those strands falling through the braid?"), but it can also be combined with another braid. If you add your waterfall strands to another braid, you get a sort of ladder effect.

But what is the difference now between a waterfall braid and a feathered braid? The answer is actually quite simple:
* In a waterfall braid you'll drop an entire strand each time. You'll replace this strand with a new strand.
* In a feathered braid you'll drop a part of the strand, so not the whole strand. You don't have to replace the strand, but you could add hair to it.

Now why would you want to do a feathered braid instead of a waterfall braid? Again the answer is simple: feathered braids can give a neater new braid. 'Neater' here means smaller. In a waterfall braid you'll drop an entire strand, so you can get pretty big strands. In a feathered braid you only have a small strand and you can often make a more beautiful ladder braid. Take a look at the photos to see what I mean.

Ladder braid made with a waterfall braid

Ladder braid made with a feathered braid