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Create a braid-out

Choose a braid-out when you want to give loose hair a wave pattern without heat. Smaller braids make a finer pattern; larger braids make broader bends.

Step by step

  1. A woman brings one undivided damp side section forward while the rest of her hair is clipped away.
    STEP 1 OF 11

    Bring one damp section forward

    • Start with detangled hair that is damp, not dripping. Move the rest aside or hold it out of the way with loose clips.
    • Bring one manageable side section over your shoulder, where both hands can reach its roots and ends without strain.

    A styling product is optional. Check that its directions allow damp hair, and follow its stated amount. Lightly re-dampen a section if it dries while you work.

  2. Woman brings one damp section of her own long curly hair forward and separates it into three strands while the rest is loosely clipped.
    STEP 2 OF 11

    Divide it into three even strands

    • Split the section into left, middle and right strands of roughly equal thickness. Separate them all the way to the ends.
    • Hold the left strand in your left hand. Keep the middle and right strands apart between fingers of your right hand.
  3. Woman makes the first outer-over-middle crossing near her shoulder, keeping three long unbraided sections of her own damp hair separate.
    STEP 3 OF 11

    Cross the right strand over the middle

    • Move the outside right strand over the middle strand. Take that crossed strand with your left hand, keeping it apart from the left strand.
    • The strand you crossed is now the middle. Keep the old middle strand in your right hand; it is now the outside right strand.

    Left and right refer to the strands as you hold them. Keep the crossing comfortable rather than pulling it tight against the scalp.

  4. A woman holds a short three-strand plait after the second crossing, with three long loose strands beneath her hands.
    STEP 4 OF 11

    Cross the left strand over the new middle

    • Move the outside left strand over the new middle. Take it in your right hand, keeping it separate from the outside right strand.
    • The strand you just crossed becomes the middle. Regrip the three strands without tightening the root.
  5. Woman uses both hands to cross an outer strand over the middle while keeping three strands of her own damp hair separate.
    STEP 5 OF 11

    Alternate crossings down the section

    • Repeat right over middle, then left over middle. After each crossing, hold the strands separately and move your hands a little lower.
    • Keep the loose ends apart. If they catch, stop and ease them free. Stop braiding when the ends are too short for another comfortable crossing.
  6. A woman supports the end of a braid while opening a soft fabric-covered tie around the loose tips.
    STEP 6 OF 11

    Secure the end if it needs a tie

    • If the braid opens when you let go, hold it just above the loose ends and slip a soft fabric-covered tie over the tips.
    • Keep supporting the braid while you twist the tie and pass the ends through another loop. Use only enough loops to hold the end without pulling.

    Skip the tie if the braid stays in place by itself. Repeat the braiding steps on other reachable sections; take breaks or leave awkward sections loose.

  7. A woman reads with both hands away from her uncovered hanging braids while they air-dry.
    STEP 7 OF 11

    Leave the braids to air-dry

    • Remove any sectioning clips left in your hair. Leave the braids hanging loose and uncovered while they air-dry.
    • When the outside feels dry, choose a reachable braid to open and check using the next three steps. The inside may still be damp.

    Drying time varies. If you need to stop early, remove the ties, gently open the braids and let the hair finish drying loose; the wave pattern may be uneven.

  8. A woman supports an intact braid above its loose end and holds the removed fabric-covered tie clear of the hair.
    STEP 8 OF 11

    Remove the tie before opening a braid

    • Support the braid just above its tie with one hand. With the other, open the tie one loop at a time until a single loose loop remains.
    • Slip that loose loop off the tips without dragging it through the hair, then put the tie down. Free any caught strands before continuing.

    If the braid has no tie, go straight to the next step.

  9. A woman supports a braid above its last crossing while easing the strands apart at its loose end.
    STEP 9 OF 11

    Open the braid from its loose end

    • Support the braid just above its last crossing. Use your other fingertips to ease the outer strand back out of that crossing.
    • Undo one crossing at a time, working upward and moving both hands as the braid opens. Stop and free caught strands rather than pulling them apart.
  10. A woman feels the roots and released lengths of one fully opened braid while the remaining hair stays braided.
    STEP 10 OF 11

    Feel the hair that was inside

    • Once the braid is open, use clean, dry fingers to feel the roots and all three released lengths, including the hair from the middle.
    • If any part feels damp, braid it again comfortably and wait longer. If dry, check a thicker braid or one near the nape next.

    Then remove any tie, open and check each remaining braid in turn. Give damp sections more time, or leave them loose to finish drying if you are stopping.

  11. A woman collects soft ties and clips into a tray after opening all her braids.
    STEP 11 OF 11

    Arrange the hair and gather the tools

    • Feel around the crown and nape for a missed braid or tie. Once all sections are dry and open, arrange the waves lightly with your fingers.
    • Collect clips and ties, clear away shed hairs and clean the tools as their care directions allow. Let them dry before storing them.

About 30–75 minutes of handling for a full set: dividing, braiding, tying where needed, later takedown and collecting tools. Washing, detangling, drying and breaks take additional time.

Estimated handling time. Allow longer for many small braids, long or dense hair, or a first attempt.

You’re done when…

Every braid is open, every tie and clip is out, and the released hair is dry. Your roots feel comfortable and the tools are collected for cleaning or storage.