Please help me do French plaits

[MagentaRavioli]

I am struggling. I never managed to do them on myself when I was growing up. I never offered them to dd who is now demanding them. I do regular plaits very neatly but can’t get the hang of french ones: I just don’t seem to have enough fingers or to be able to keep track of which strand is central. Please give me some tips or tutorial suggestions.

also, even when I manage to keep track of the strands, I get to the bottom bit and it looks all saggy. Help!

You tube/ tiktok

My only tip is practise, practise, practise. You need a Sindy Styling Head😄

Start a normal plait then grab and extra strand of hair each time you cross - l actually have to do ot on others as if l was doing it on myself so a weird angle but works for me

The saggy bottom bit is usually because you've got at the wrong angle on the sections and there is then too much hair at the end and no more section space.

You need to keep watching YouTube/TikTok/Instagram tutorials and find yourself a head to practice on (a doll, child - doll might be better).

When I was little my mum couldn't do hair, except for a ponytail, basic plaits or bun. On special occasions she would take me to the hairdresser to get a French plait and I used to watch the hairdresser like a hawk. I used to love doing hair, still do, and would practice on my dolls. I've been able to do a French plait since I was 9. I can do all braids now.

It just takes practice and don't rush it.

Right. I’m going to buy myself the sindy styling head. My dd deserves nice hairstyles not a hot mess. Thank you.

Also use a spray bottle to dampen her hair- much easier than dry!

I find French plaits easier with wet hair and just lots of practise!

How old is DD? I'm getting better but I need DD8 to hold the "fourth" section for me.

As others have said it's all practise. I learnt as a child on my dolls but still made a mess of it when my DD's hair first grew long enough.
I start off like a normal plait, then use my middle finger to sort of scrape up each extra section. I remember watching my mum as a child and she used her little finger. You'll find a technique that works for you. A bit of hairspray on the hair might help you keep a better grip, and keeping your hands close to the head, especially as you get near the bottom helps with sagging too.

I use a long handled comb to get the sections to add in and find that helps.

Oh, French Plaits! Absolute bliss to spend school dinner times doing each other's hair. 😍
I would pay good money for someone to play with and plait my hair for an hour these days 😅

My dd has very fine hair and I find doing Dutch plaits much easier. It’s the same as French but you go under rather than over. I pass the side under and then grab the extra bit and then put that under.

get yourself on youtube
get a spray bottle
get a comb with a pointy end to help divide (also find 2 braids easier than one, divide hair and put one side in a pony then plait the other side)

Slightly greasy hair or damp can be easier! Keep it tight into the neck at the bottom. Only bring in a small amount of extra hair each time. I love the time doing plaits in my kid's hair, soon yours will be able to do it themselves and won't need you, enjoy the time!

DD (now over 30) still brings up my lack of french plait skills as a good example of my terrible parenting. Definitely worth the effort of learning to prevent future shame at family events.

(Lighthearted. She’s actually turned out OK and still quite likes me)

Ooh yeah clean hair is a nightmare to plait l find! Needs to be a couple of days worth of no washing!

Exciting update! DD went to school with a French plait in her hair! @Crojo advice to use little finger to scrape up next section worked (for my right hand anyway so I didn’t get into a muddle about which section was which) and @horseymum advice about keeping it close to the neck made it less saggy. Not yet a work of art in any sense but it didn’t look ridiculous. I am quite surprised that mid-forties I am finally learning this skill

I'm no expert but my tips are

1. Keep your hands close to her head at all times to stop it going saggy
2. Move one of the three strands across and then add the extra hair. I used to try and do it at the same time.
3. Try doing 2 plaits (eg bunches not a ponytail ) Oddly I find this easier when I was learning.