Waterfall Braid and Four Ways to End It.

 

The waterfall braid has always been a favorite.  When I first learned how to do it, I noticed that many of the sites rarely showed how to end it. So I will show how to do the waterfall braid and then give four options for ending it. I may revisit this one for more details later.

 I usually start this braid on the side opposite of the part.  If you part in the middle, then start on either side. 

 This will feel like a french braid at first. 

 When you are about to grab hair to add to your braid from the bottom, you drop a complete piece instead.  The piece that I am holding in the picture I will lay down.  Then go under that piece and grab a new piece from beneath.

 The piece that I just grabbed from under is usually not as big as the one I dropped, but try to match the size as much as you can. 

Then add it to the braid.

 Then add hair from the top like a french braid. 

Drop the piece and grab a new piece from under the newly dropped one.

 Add hair to your braid from the top, then drop a piece and grab from under the dropped piece.

 Grabbing from underneath is what keeps it firm. 

 Keep braiding across the back of the head until you get near the other side. 

 Braid it like normal part way down to secure it.

(This could also be your first ending.  Just braid it to the end and call it good.)

 Then start on the left or opposite side with the waterfall braid, dropping one piece, grabbing a new piece from underneath and adding hair from the top like a french braid. 

 When you get close to the other braid, you will combine them with a twist after you remove the elastic.

 The twist is explained in 1,2,3,4,5 Fast and Easy Hairdos for School 4.  Double Braid Accent Pigtail Twist. 

Using one braid as one piece and the other as the second piece, you twist both pieces to the right tightly, while pulling the right side over the left loosely .  Keep twisting both pieces right while pulling the right side over the left. When you get to the end put on an ouch-less elastic on.

This may also be done on one side only, just divide the braid ponytail into two and twist it until the end.

Combining both braids and braiding it until the end is another option.

This last option takes longer, but has more of a formal appearance for a special occasion.

Instead of waterfall braiding across the back of the head, stop toward the middle of the back of the head.  Pin it to secure it for now on the right side. 

Do the same thing coming from the other(left) side so there will be a strip of hair not braided right down the middle. 

Pull the two braids across from each other.  In this picture the left braid is over the right. 

Pin that braid as well. 

Add more pins on each side, but underneath, so they don't show. 

If you want this to feel more secure, add ouchless elastics to the two braid ends, not right up against the head, but just to help you work with the braids.

Cross them and secure with bobby pins.

Cross them underneath with some coming from the top and some coming from the bottom. 

Break the elastics.

Always hairspray liberally when doing the waterfall braid. 

Never Fail Braided Headband

 

 I have been doing this hair style since I was a teenager.  It is a great way to let your daughter wear her hair down and have it look finished.  I normally do this one dry, but Natalie had just washed her hair and so that is why it looks sort of messy.  You will be surprised how nice it looks even after the first time you try it.  The hair hides mistakes, so give it a try and  have fun. 

 I always start on the left side and end on the right.

 I part it a little above the ear, but only to start.  This hair style does not require parting as you go. 

 Begin with a regular braid.  Then add hair pieces only from the front. 

 Do not pick up hair from behind the braid or toward the back.  If you do, it will make it harder and it won't look as nice.  Grabbing only from the front makes it more uniform. 

 Do braid like normal then add from the front.  Braid like normal, then add from the front.

 Continue with this pattern.  It is like a half french braid.

 You decide how close you want the headband to be to the front. 

 When you get to the right side,  continue with the half french braid .

Continue until behind her ear.

 At that point I do a regular braid for out 4 or 5 more inches. 

 Then I attach the braid to some hair at the nape of her neck with an ouchless elastic.

 If you would like the braid to show, then don't go behind the ear.  When you run out of hair on the side, do a regular braid until the end.  

 As you can see Natalie's headband was done closer to the face than Olivia's.  

Tip

  Sometimes I will have them lay their head on the table after I get past the middle, because they get tired of holding their head the way you want them to.