French Braid Breakdown

[@torrinpaige]

I've been maintaining around this length for 6 or 7 years -it was chin length 14 years ago. And Thank You!!!!

[@tom5oncelostnowfound720]

To this day I’m sharing your video with others. When I had long hair this helped me master doing it

[@JuliaDymond]

thanks to lucy for that brilliant french braid trick, my sister does solely dutch braids because she hates the loose hair at the bottom of her french shes going to be thrilled!

[@tetisheri1972]

Again, I can't tell you thank you enough! I think I have gotten the French down pretty well. It looks good more times than it doesn't. The "peace signs" really help. Now for the Dutch and on to the lace. Yay me! Yay you!

[@dorothythorpe6183]

I've seen this multiple times. A classic. Thanks for such clear explanations!

[@PinkLilyGarden]

I'm going to try loose braids for a while. Because I've always put it up in a ponytail or bun that it gets so heavy I've started balding in the front. I'm going to try the coconut oil as well. I'm subscribed to all 3 guru's you've mentioned; I always watch their videos; amazing tutorials ;) . Thank you so much for your reply x

[@torrinpaige]

Loepsie's got an excellent 5 strand braid tutorial -since I can't improve upon perfection, I'd check hers out! She even goes over the handholds. She taught me. :o)

[@heraldatheart]

Thanks for the hand holds! I've been French braiding for years, but your tips make for a much tighter braid.

[@Spiderwebs5646]

Thank you so much! Out of all the tutorial videos I've watched, THIS ONE actually made sense! Thank you!

[@torrinpaige]

Sam Tonn I am happy to have helped! Being able to do these two braids opens up so many other hairstyles to try. I was over 30 before I finally figured out how to make it work right. It's never to late to learn new things. :o)

[@Kitsunesunset]

Thank you, soo much!!! I have tailbone length hair and until now I have never successfully french braided my own hair. I've mastered it in 3 tries and after tonight will move on to the Dutch braid. You helped so much. And I found it much more comfortable to sleep in than a high messy bun.

[@torrinpaige]

Kitsunesunset Only three tries?!? High five to you! It took me about a week until I really got it down pat. Lol. Once you've got it, though, you don't even have to think about it. I'm so tickled for you! Being able to French and Dutch braid opens up a whole world of new hairstyles to try. :o)

[@Kitsunesunset]

torrinpaige maybe mastered isn't quite what I was going for, but.. looks ok enough to wear in public now. Haha and I'm tickled too!

[@torrinpaige]

Good enough for public consumption is mastered enough for me. :o)

[@Frenchinmiami]

As a longhair lover, you just posted my dream video. Finally, we can see the glorious length and magnificent texture of your hair. And my wife found it super useful too! Thank you so much.

[@mallorykay13]

This is what I needed. I have been watching your lovely videos for a very long time and I can now french/dutch braid my hair without getting mad or giving up. I still need to get rid of some loopies, but hey. Thanks. (I'm an LHC girl. ;) )

[@casagrandecats]

torrin, thank you for redoing this. the finger explanation is so helpful. thank you so much.

[@CraftyKrystal]

OHMYGOD! I have always been able to french braid, but never my own hair cuz i could never keep it tight enough. But oh my gosh! I just french braided my hair and it looks fantastic!!! super neat and tight and awesome! that hand holding technique is amazing!!! and not hard at all!

[@gwenhyfarbeati]

The hand hold literally solved my biggest problem with French and Dutch braiding. Holy cannoli. And that tip about the end of a French is great too! Solving a problem before I've really encountered it lol

[@zzjae3]

Great video!! I have really long hair too so it was helpful to watch. I also really like the explanation for the handholds. All the tips makes it easier to braid my hair now. Thanks!

[@PiratesRose9098]

I may think about how to french/dutch braid differently, but this is a great breakdown for a beginner. :)

[@finch600]

I can't get over how nice your hair looks

[@szbyzan]

I just shared this to my FB friends. I love it. Thank you so much for doing baby steps for us.

[@aireanahlara2627]

I know how to do the French braid, but I was trying to find a way to remove that poofy part at the bottom and many people mentioned you! Thank you so much, no more pooch 😆

[@ShyMusicPanda]

I feel like a young Jedi being instructed in a new and exotic art form... :P

[@sophieo.4527]

Padawan.

[@76anderson12]

Me to!

[@76anderson12]

If I could LOVE this video I would! Thank u so much for ur explanations!!

[@LoriHulstine]

Nice job! Wonderful demo, too. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@JackOfAllBraids]

Torrin, you are a saint for making this video. I know you must get asked all the time, and even though you've covered it a few times already, you're here yet again. So sweet!

[@Jazzy_Ratt]

Okay, so I’ve stood in front of a mirror for years! Literally since middle school trying to learn how to braid my own hair (I can do other people’s but not my own) and I have watch videos on it as well but it never worked out. So I came to this video thinking the same as always “I’ll be the one that still won’t be able to learn” but I listened, stayed away from the mirror and tried it out. It’s a little bumpy but it looks like a Dutch braid! Hopefully I’ll get better at keeping the hair tight but I’m so surprised that I wanna scream! Thanks so much!

[@torrinpaige]

You will get better. Once you train your hands? Your brain won't even factor in. Lol. It took me about a month of doing a French or Dutch braid every few days until I started producing smooth, pretty braids. You can do it!! I'm so proud of you!

[@TheCrystalgriffon]

I'm so happy to see your full length! Absolutely beautiful =)

[@Singarooni]

HOLY COW!!!! I just realized how long your hair is!!! WOW!!!

[@torrinpaige]

Lucy is a bona fide genius, isn't she! I

[@Magosienne]

I will try french braid with Lucy's tip, i always get this poof of hair when i reach the neck, so usually i dutch braid. For some reason it's also helping keeping my layers in, and with fine hair, second day hair is the best to braid, i get less baby hair sticking out. Otherwise i prefer doing a simple side braid and bun it.

[@torrinpaige]

Layered hair still does fine in French and Dutch style braids -but so far as the others? Total braid shred. I got layers years ago to help cut down on the weight of my hair -when it was down, it was lovely, but as soon as I did my first braid? I cried. The braid shred was awful. It all depends on how you normally wear your hair. If you wear it loose most of the time, then go for layers. If you wear it up most of the time? I'd avoid them. Have you tried damp braiding for waves? Lots of volume.

[@LaDollyVita33]

I'm so glad you did this! Now I can direct everyone to this video!!

[@emilyrhodes1260]

Torrin this is an awesome video! I love to french braid other people's hair, but have never been able to do my own. I made a KZbin page just to ask you this question! Can you please explain how you do the braiding part after you separate it into three sections. Like, how do you place your hands to cross the outer sections over the middle. I see how you are holding all the hair in your peace signs in order to add hair, but you shift your grip for the actual crossing over. Please help!

[@LadyTigerLily]

And suddenly... it all makes sense.... Thank you, Torrin!

[@kathyvettraino2267]

Loving all your tutorials! Thank you! 🌻🏵🌺

[@x1435]

Such a good explanation. Thanks Heather! Even though I know how to do these braids already, I think this made it easier for me.

[@torrinpaige]

Usually. But occasionally I'll start from the left and then braid from the left -especially if I'm doing doubles. I think of it then as starting from the "outside" of my head. That way, I braid both of my braids from the outside and they seem to line up better.

[@scentedhoneysuckle]

lol your doggy suddently barking startled me! Ehehe! :D Thank you so much for this video!! i am one of those that still aren't able to french braid... oops! :) I will try again!

[@chrisquisha2429]

that hair flip at 1:47 😍😍😍

[@MrsBrit1]

I need to try your peace signs. I can French braid my own hair down the back, but I cannot do Dutch! I think it's because I keep losing track of what piece I'm on, so it gets twisted all funky and then I take it down. I do all the other stuff, so maybe your peace fingers will make me remember what the heck I'm doing! Haha

[@torrinpaige]

As I braid, if I notice one section seems bigger, then I add more to the others and less to it accordingly. It's just practice. Sometimes I end up with one a little skinnier, but I don't sweat it. If it's particularly egregious, I just take it down and re-do it. It's just practice.

[@gossamerhall]

Thank you thank you thank you Torrin, yes this vid is helpful. My braids usually are twiki, and I have to straighten them out they don't lay flat. xoxo *.*

[@GreenleafGirl95]

You have the most beautiful hair I have ever seen ♥

[@tinglesrosyrupeeland]

Your hair is so beautiful I'm envious *o*

[@torrinpaige]

My hubby has super silky hair and the first few times I braided it were tragic. I can get a pretty good braid now, it just took a bit of practice. :o)

[@wednesdaiemorrill3474]

Your hair is so long and gorgeous!!!!!

[@torrinpaige]

The grip is changed to a regular old braid grip - just how your normally hold your hair to braid. Then, once the cross overs are done, you go back to the peace signs.

[@PinkLilyGarden]

Ok; thanks for replying. I'm going to try this.

[@torrinpaige]

Keep it up for awhile -buns, braids, etc. Just get up, detangle, and throw it up in a bun for the day. Also try sleeping with it braided -that'll cut down your detangling time in the morning. Also? When you wear it up, you won't have to wash as often. Try stretching to washing on the 4th day and see what happens. It's worth a try.

[@psykokitty7]

I did it!! It is crooked but I got it!! Thank you!

[@TXbarrelCowgirl]

I am going to try the handholds, I can french/dutch braid everyone else's BUT mine...its very frustrating! Debating doing this right now since it's 4am, but I cant sleep anyway lol. Question: My hair used to be thick as all get out, & it has thinned, not the volume (i dont think) but the hair itself.I do wear my hair up nearly everyday, but in Tx you almost have to w/ this heat, Im trying to remember to take it down while Im home in the AC, is there anything I can do to thicken it back up?

[@WMG4life]

I can't find your french braid revisited video on your page?

[@deboraharmstrong3002]

Somewhere here on KZbin is a tutorial on how to do a 5-strand braid. The girl doing it uses a black switch, tucked partway into a drawer. I've watched it 5 or 6 times, and I can ALMOST get it, but....well....not so much. Have you done a tutorial for a 5-strand? Cuz I'm thinking if I could see how it works doing it on "own head", maybe my fingers could figure it out.

[@theladymelissa]

your hair seems to be longer than classic? i am so jealous, i don't seem to get passed it this last year :(

[@lovla1]

Hello! I love your all your videos! Your hair is so long and beautiful! Which brings me to my question: Do you have any tips on how to grow long hair? I would like to have hair like yours, but it grows sooooo slowly!! Any tips would help, thank you!!!!!! (my hair is almost BSL, by the way...if that helps....XD)

[@Moonlightlove31]

I have fine hair that tangles extremely easy as well. To grow it out and get less breakage, I use coconut oil (of course) and I don't ever wear it loose. It's always in a braid or bun of some kind, there are SO many styles to do to protect and keep your hair tangle free. My favorite styles come from TorrinPaige (of course) LaDollyVita33 and Loepsie. Try it out, it can't hurt!

[@TheLadyPlantagenet]

You have the most beautiful hair in the world!

[@casagrandecats]

so you always start from the right and then braid from the right, right?

[@krystalsmith3789]

Wow very nice hair! My hair stops growing once it gets right above my bottom.

[@LindsayPez]

Here's my silly question of the day: For about a year now (Because of you!) I can french and dutch braid my hair. My only problem is that every time I add hair, I have to use a brush and brush the added hair back over my head into the outside strands, otherwise my head looks lumpy and bumpy. I see that this does not happen to you! Am I doing something wrong or is my hair just super stubborn? I HATE IT!! Hate hate hate it when my hair is lumpy and un-neat against my head!

[@Stacylynnbates]

Thanks for showing the differents. I can only do the dutch and can't do the french. But when it comes to working with sombody elses hair I can do the french but can't do the dutch. lol

[@Sherlockhamster]

When doing the french on your own hair how can you make sure the sections are even. I have tried so many times only to end up with one side bigger?????

[@Dolphingirl7787]

Hi I have a question :) Is ur hair naturally prone to waves? , is it wavy cuz u keep it in braids all the te time? , or do the waves just happen when hair gets long like urs is?

[@emilyXoutrage]

I'm a bit of a weird one, when I English braid I do the French technique, but can Dutch braid so easily :S also, is it possible to show us how to do two on our head? because I cannot for the life of me do them, and it's frustrating

[@torrinpaige]

Woot! Glad to hear the French is coming along nicely! The others will be easier. Once you get one? They all seem to fall in line. :o)

[@bullocksmith4500]

Your hair is gorgeous and you should show the full length more often. Stop apologizing for being you. We all get a little fluffy as the years go on. Love your chanel.

[@torrinpaige]

It's naturally wavy. For really good defined waves I have to sleep in braids -this is how it looks when it air dries and then I brush the waves. - Also? Humidity. LOL. Not the prettiest it's ever looked, but I was braiding it so it didn't matter. :o)

[@SweetTeaSipper]

You're welcome...keep trying until you find what makes it stop. Most likely it is related to diet. I wish you the best because I've been there, and it's not a fun place to be.

[@Mandy-gi3nb]

i am trying so hard to braid my own hair, i have tried al my life and i cant! i cant even do a basic braid! only braid on the side. i can french braid and do any style to someone else hair but i cant do anything to my own when i cant see it. i wish so badily to braid my own :'(

[@ashlbjackson]

Whenever I do a dutch braid, I always think of it as the "sad" braid, because you have to cross under. lol Somehow in my strange mind making my strands cross under instead of over should make them sad. Whatever, it helps me remember to cross under if I tell myself it's a sad braid while I'm doing it. :P

[@shoudrastargleam1]

I'm gonna torture myself trying to do this later and probably still not be able to, lol. I've been trying to learn for months.

[@torrinpaige]

I'm sure I use more conditioner than most people (a handful every time I wash) but less shampoo (silver dollar size). Since I only wash my hair once a week or so give or take (4-6 times a month) my guess is that I actually use less hair care products than the average person. I do go through 3 bottles of conditioner for every bottle of shampoo, though. :o)

[@torrinpaige]

It's not so much that you switch the pattern (you are always doing the same pattern) it's just that since you're now over your shoulder instead of behind your head, you have to readjust your hands and brain. Behind your head you add strands on top, once over your shoulder you add strands behind (it's the same, but a lot of people get confused because it feels different.)

[@tetisheri1972]

Practice is good. Eventually it will work right.

[@samanthatroulis]

Omg this helped me so much. But one of my strands keeps coming out a lot smaller than the other two :(

[@braidhair1]

thank you so much.....it has helped me alot

[@torrinpaige]

Naw. Just my regular Facebook. I started my Facebook way back strictly for my YT peeps, but then everyone from high school and college found me -so everyone is just all lumped in together. :o)

[@noellabezzle3044]

What if we have curly hair and cannot run fingers through it to detangle as we braid

[@torrinpaige]

I've braided curly hair and you can still keep it detangled. You've already separated out your strands, you just have to keep them separated. It's not running your fingers through your hair (I can't do that with mine, either) it's just keeping the ends of your strands from braiding together before you're ready for them to be braided.

[@PinkLilyGarden]

I have so much breakage :( I get very oily hair, so I try to wash it every other day. But I have so much fallout. My hair gets tangled even just after brushing it; I'm about to cry; I've went to 2 different hairdressers and 3 different dermatologists; they don't even bother helping.

[@ElisabettaVS]

It is still very pretty :)

[@torrinpaige]

A Dutch sits up on top of the hair -kind of like a mohawk -the French appears to be more woven. The Dutch is also referred to as an "Inside-Out French Braid." I don't know if that helps you or not.

[@KateandBree]

A French is a concave braid. The weave sits underneath, so instead of seeing a weave, you see a valley where you have added hair. The Dutch braid is a convex braid. The weave on the braid sits ON TOP. This means instead of seeing a valley where you've added hair, you see the work you've done. If you need a visual, think of a hill. It's harder to see the valley/hill idea on Heather; her hair is very thick. It's much easier to see on Siobhan. Her hair is thinner than Heather's.

[@wildcatdiva4974]

So I was getting frustrated because after adding hair, I would braid and then add hair on the other side... except that other side ended up being the same strand I had had on the other side before I braided, and the same strand just kept getting fatter and fatter and FATTER as it would move over to the opposite side and get even MORE hair added to it. Then, baffled, I pouted for like ten minutes. I finally figured out that when braiding, I needed to start braiding with the opposite strand that had just got hair added. I hope that’s the last struggle I have with this. Keeping 2C hair detangled for this process is a bear. I’ll try again here in a sec. ... So I was confused and adding only one side before braiding. Now I see I have to add both sides before braiding.

[@torrinpaige]

Yuppers. Adding to both sides and then braiding helps keep your braid tidy and your brain and hands from getting confused. Once you have it down, you won't even have to think about it.

[@torrinpaige]

Look for my French Braid Revisted video -it's done in a closer up view -I did this one to clarify better and to help all of my super long haired girls out there that were struggling with their ends braiding together at the bottom. They can never see the ends of my hair to see what goes on down there, so I was trying to kill two birds with one stone. :o)

[@chochis777]

ARE YOU an excellent teacher, is also a beautiful lady super long hair beautiful, congratulations

[@McVicker831]

do you have a fan page?

[@deboraharmstrong3002]

Yeah! What she said!!

[@deboraharmstrong3002]

How do I find her?

[@torrinpaige]

It's probably just your hair texture. My hubby has super silky, fine hair and the first few times I French braided his I had the same thing happen. I have to be careful when adding hair and make it smooth before I braid. I think it's just texture.

[@mariahlaster112]

my problem is my hair is longer than my arm so when I try to detangle I get to a point where I need another hand to finish it off.....

[@torrinpaige]

Ahh, you are in the length vs styling camp. As in - do I want to be able to have more options for styling like braids and such or do I just want to go for maximum length? It's hard to decide. I always tell folks that they have to figure that out for themselves. For me? I like to wear my hair down when I can and I also love braids and fancy updos - so I keep it at classic so that I can still wear it down without TOO much trouble when I want, but I can also still braid easily and do all sorts of things with it. It means I'll never have true fairy tale hair, but I've decided that I'm okay with that.

[@theladymelissa]

your hair is soooooooo long! you must be past classic already if you ask me! you look very nice!

[@torrinpaige]

Classic is being able to sit on it -and I can't -so not classic yet. LOL.

[@torrinpaige]

I have a tutorial for Double Dutch braids in the archives.

[@torrinpaige]

Naw, it's just regular old classic. I'm maintaining there.

[@ycr424]

its funny, i cant bring my braid to the side to finish like you jus did, i always get myself tangled up and ruin my braid and hafta start ovre. ive always flipped it over the top of my head to the front to finish.

[@torrentXofXdarkness]

Your hair... I'm barely hip length and if only I stretch it out(curly) I'm jealous TT_TT

[@torrinpaige]

It's just like the French -only instead of crossing over on top -you cross over underneath. That is the only difference.

[@HolaJessicaHola]

Type in the box at the top of the page "Loepsie 5 strand braid" :)

[@xcrunkxcorex]

Oh wow your hair is so thick

[@sofiascarlet7795]

My hair goes to my hips

[@PinkLilyGarden]

Thank you for replying. I'll go see a doctor immediately.