Basic techniques - level 3

Those who have mastered the level 1 and level 2 basic techniques, can try even more difficult braiding techniques. In this article I'll explain the next step: the level 3 basic techniques.

• Dutch waterfall braid: a variation on the waterfall braid. Instead of crossing the strands over, like in a French braid, you'll cross the strands under. The only thing you need to keep in mind, is that you have to drop the middle strand every time and put the replacing strand in the middle before braiding further.
• 5 strand braid: one of my favorite braids. Braiding with 5 strands might seem difficult, but the advantage is that you can hold your two left strands and your two right strands together. This makes it seem like you only have three strands. You're also working with only three strands every time: your far left strands is going over-under (or under-over) and then your far right strand is going over-under (or under-over). One strand doesn't cross all other four strands.
• French/Dutch 4 strand braid: if you've mastered the regular 4 strand braid, you can try adding in hair. Because the 4 strand braid is going over-under, under-over (or under-over, over-under), you'll have half a French braid and half a Dutch braid.
• 4 strand ribbon braid: instead of braiding with 4 strands of hair, you're braiding with 3 strands of hair and one ribbon. Personally I think this braid is easier than the regular 4 strand braid, because the ribbon makes it easier to tell the strands apart and to see where you are in your braiding process.
• Round 3D braid: divide the hair into 4 strands. Cross the far left strand under two strands and twist it around the last strand. Then cross the far right strand under two strands and twist it around the last strand. Keep repeating this and you'll get a beautiful round braid.
• Mermaid braid: a mermaid braid is like a regular French braid, only now you take strands to add in from the far front / side. Watch the tutorial for more details!

Good luck again practicing these techniques! If you've mastered all of these as well, you can start preparing for the final level of basic braiding techniques. I'll explain these in another article.

A 4 strand French/Dutch braid