Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Can you plait your own hair?

33 replies

hidinginthenightgarden · 03/04/2019 10:38

I can do some great stuff too DD but I can’t do it to myself. Doesn’t heal that my hair is super thick but has a side parting.
The main problem is as I cannot see what I am doing. I get confused quickly about which bit goes next!
Is there a trick to this?

OP posts:
hidinginthenightgarden · 03/04/2019 10:38

*to DD

OP posts:
Palominoo · 03/04/2019 10:45

Look on Instagram and see the short videos of how others do it. Practice makes perfect. A good mirror helps.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 03/04/2019 11:06

I learnt to French Plait my own hair by watching a friend do hers, and have then learnt a couple of variations from YouTube.

Do not look in the mirror to it though, and try not to think about it too much either. That way confusion lies!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

QuestionableMouse · 03/04/2019 11:08

Yes, french/Dutch braids too. Its a bit too thick/short to get a decent one in St the moment though.

Chocolateisfab · 03/04/2019 11:09

No way!! My dd 12 can do the most intricate stuff on her hair.
. Def didn't get the hair gene from me!

hidinginthenightgarden · 03/04/2019 11:18

Maybe I am starting at the wrong point because I can barely reach!

OP posts:
greenelephantscarf · 03/04/2019 11:22

yes, but not very neatly.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 03/04/2019 11:24

OP - I'm confused - where can you barely reach?

If you're just doing a normal plait you need your hands behind your neck. Do a couple of 'overs' and then, as soon as you can, pull it towards, then over, your shoulder and carry on.

hidinginthenightgarden · 03/04/2019 11:28

I can do that. Just not fancy ones like french plaits.
Normal plaits look shit- I cringe when my 60 year old boss and pig tails plaited!

OP posts:
DPotter · 03/04/2019 11:32

I can plait my own - no problem. But had real problems plaiting DD's. Got so used to plaiting without being able to see what I was doing I suppose

Ribbonsonabox · 03/04/2019 11:35

I can now after watching YouTube tutorials... I can do a loose French plait on myself quite well!

TimeIhadaNameChange · 03/04/2019 11:35

It's the same thing with French Plaits, you just start with your hands on top of your head and work your way down.

I wouldn't do two plaits (though I occasionally do two french plaits, but I think they look childish) but a single plait at the back looks fine, imo.

How I do French Plait: (RH = Right Hand, T= Thumb, 1= forefinger, 2=middle, T1= between thumb and forefinger)

RH - Grab centre bit with T1, transfer to 12, grab another section with T1
LH - Grab bit of hair with T1, use 3 to grab what is in RH T1.
RH - Release 12, use T1 to gather this and a bit more
Use 3 to grab what is in LH T1
LH - Release 12, use T1 to gather this and a bit more
Use 3 to grab what's in RH T1

Not sure if that makes any sort of sense though...

Bluntness100 · 03/04/2019 11:37

How can you barely reach rhe back or top of your head?,if you have a physical disability or limitation which I think is what you're saying if you can't reach the top of your head, this will make it much more difficult if not impossible so maybe better to look for other styles?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 03/04/2019 11:38

Yes, easily. I used to wear my hair in a French plait every day. Practice and feel your way.

hidinginthenightgarden · 03/04/2019 12:02

No disability just short arms!
I can reach to an extent but if I am trying to do one on each side I struggle.

OP posts:
Cupidity · 03/04/2019 12:07

I can do french plaits on my dd, but my fingers get too confused to do Dutch braids on her.... However when I try and do a French plait on myself i end up with Dutch braids.Blush

mummyhaschangedhername · 03/04/2019 12:10

I can but they aren't the most neat. Easier when my hair is shorter. Find doing my daughters easier.

Furrytoebean · 03/04/2019 12:12

I have literally just learnt how to do it after years of trying.

Turns out I was just really overthinking it.
Do not look in the mirror!!
Practise while you're watching telly just by feeling.

Blobby10 · 03/04/2019 12:15

I can plait horses manes easily but cannot do human hair. My sister could do hair but not horses! My daughter does some really awesome plaits on her long (and gorgeous!) hair as well as the hair of her uni friends!

hidinginthenightgarden · 03/04/2019 12:15

Okay, just tried one down the middle whilst watching tv and it was the most successful so far. Not too bad. Clearly the mirror is not helpful!

Can you plait your own hair?
OP posts:
hidinginthenightgarden · 03/04/2019 12:17

Got stuck halfway so put the bobble in quick so I can see if I had done okay.

OP posts:
BlueSkiesLies · 03/04/2019 12:43

Yes

Don’t look in a mirror, that makes it v confusing!

steppemum · 03/04/2019 12:46

I have shprt hair now, ut when it was long for years I could do loads of stuff including a straight plait, but not a french plait.

The learnt how to do it on dd and finally worked out how to do it on myself, took much longer to learn to do it on mysefl though!

Elbows up in the air, and don't use a mirror!

justasking111 · 03/04/2019 12:49

Have tried for years with thick wavy long hair, not succeeded yet. I can plait but it just looks a mess.

havingtochangeusernameagain · 03/04/2019 14:30

Yes but my hair is too soft and the plait falls out again. So no.