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Make a waterfall braid

Choose a short side braid when you want a woven line with loose lengths falling below it. The dropped sections stay outside the working braid.

Step by step

  1. A woman holds three small starting strands beside her part for a waterfall braid.
    STEP 1 OF 3

    Begin with three small strands

    • Start with dry detangled loose hair and a smooth tie within reach. Pick a short side path from the part toward one ear.
    • Divide a small front section into upper, middle and lower strands. Cross the upper over the middle, then the lower over the new middle.
  2. A woman releases a lower waterfall strand while holding the two continuing strands of her own braid.
    STEP 2 OF 3

    Feed above, drop and replace below

    • Add a small nearby slice to the upper working strand and cross it over the middle. Support the braid and the two strands that continue in one hand.
    • Let the strand now at the lower edge hang freely. Pick up a similar-sized fresh section just behind it; do not pick the dropped strand back up.
    • Cross this replacement over the middle to restore three working strands. Repeat the upper pickup and crossing, then the lower drop, replacement and crossing.
    • Keep the braid within easy reach. Leave the dropped lengths loose and stop for catching or root pulling instead of stretching the openings.
  3. A woman supports the tied free end of a short waterfall braid with loose strands hanging beneath it.
    STEP 3 OF 3

    Finish the free end and take down

    • At the end of your short side path, stop adding or dropping hair. Braid the three active strands normally by alternating each outer strand over the middle.
    • Tie the free end and lower your hands. Check that the braid and dropped lengths sit comfortably without pulling.
    • For removal, support the braid and unwind the tie. Open each crossing from the end upward, easing out the fed-in and dropped sections with your fingers.

One short side waterfall braid including setup and later release; learning the drop-and-replace exchange and detangling take additional time.

Unmeasured editorial handling estimate for the stated scope. Familiarity, access and the item or hair being handled change the time.

You’re done when…

Loose strands hang below a short supported braid, the free end is tied and all roots remain comfortable when you lower your hands.