How to braid short hair with extensions

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Learning how to braid extensions can be a time-consuming process that requires patience. The most common types of ways to braid extensions are box braids, cornrows, and crochet braids. Though they can be time-consuming, each method is easy to learn.

1. 

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   Shampoo and condition your hair before braiding it. Extensions braided into small braids are usually in place for a long period, so you want to start with clean hair and scalp. Make sure your hair is dry before braiding.

   • You may also want to cut the extensions to the length you prefer before braiding. If you are going to use the full length of the extensions, you can leave them as they are.

2. 

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   Separate your hair into small, even sections. For box braids, you are going to be braiding numerous strands into tiny, long braids. Start the process by separating your hair into small, even, box-shaped sections.[1] Then, use a small elastic to secure each section in a bun. Use a comb for best results and make sure your hair is untangled before you begin.[2]

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3. 3

   Wrap the hair extension around the natural hair strand. Hold the piece of natural hair in one hand. Take the hair extension and loop it around the natural hair; essentially, you are wrapping the extension around the natural hair in half. You will have two strands of hair extension in one hand, and one natural strand in the other hand.

   • Make sure the extension is looped evenly around the strand so the ends meet; this will ensure that way your braid is even.[3]

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   Twist the extension around your natural hair. Hold your natural hair taut as you twist the two strands of the extension around the natural hair strand. If you can't quite get it by twisting, just cross the extension strands under the natural hair. You will now have three distinct strands of equal size.

5. 5

   Start the base braid. Take the natural strand, which is one of the outside strands, and cross it over the middle strand. Pull the extension strand to the side, making it an outside strand while the natural hair strand becomes the middle strand. This makes your three strands.

   • Spray the hair extension and natural hair with water to keep stray hairs in place while you are working with it.

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   Braid a few strands. Using these 3 initial strands, braid a few strands to get the braid going.[4] Then, slide the extension upwards towards the scalp to secure it.

   • Make sure not to braid the hair too tightly. This can cause severe scalp and hair damage.

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   Blend the natural hair into the extensions. Split the natural hair into 2 strands. Do the same to 1 of the extension strands. Combine 1 of each of the strands together into 2 new strands. Now, 2 of your strands should be a combined natural hair and extension strand.[5] You should still have 3 separate sections of hair at this point.

8. 8

   Continue braiding. Now that you have the braid started and blended, continue braiding until you get to the end of your hair.

   • When you get to the ends of your natural hair, use some hair spray or water to smooth them down as they combine with your extensions.

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   Secure the ends. When you reach the end of the extensions, secure the ends with a small hair tie or whatever other method you choose.

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1. 

   1

   Section off a line of hair. Start your cornrow by sectioning off a long, narrow section of hair. This section should be in a straight line from your scalp to your nape. Make sure to separate the edges as crisply as possible.[6]

   • Use rubber bands, clips, bobby pins, or another styling tool to secure the hair not in the cornrow section. You want to make sure hair from the rest of your head doesn't get integrated into the cornrow.
   • Make sure to comb the hair in the tract straight back before you begin.

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   Separate a thin section near the scalp. To start your cornrow, you need to make the base for the braid. Begin by taking a thin, even section from the very front of the section - right next to the scalp.

3. 3

   Add the extension hair. Position the hair extension around the natural hair so the natural hair rests in the direct middle of the extension. This will produce 3 strands to braid - the extension on the right, the natural hair in the middle, and the extension to the left.[7]

   • Prepare these strands to braid by placing the 3 strands between your fingers on 1 hand. One strand should be between your thumb and index finger, the middle between your index and middle finger, the last between your middle and ring finger.

4. 4

   Begin the braid. Get your fingers as close to the scalp as possible. Start with the strand of hair resting between ring finger and middle finger. Take that strand between your thumb and index finger on your free hand. Wrap the strand around the base of the hair in the direction of the hand you are wrapping with. Keep the hair tightly close to the scalp. Keeping that strand secure between your thumb and index finger, place the middle strand between the index and middle finger, while the outside strand is between your middle and ring finger.

   • The strands have now shifted position. The hair that started in the back is now in front, the original middle strand (your natural hair) is in the back, and the original front strand is in the middle.

5. 5

   Repeat this on the other side. Now with the other hand, repeat the same steps, wrapping around the other side of the strand. Take the strand currently between your ring and middle finger and wrap it around the hair using the thumb and index finger on your free hand. Make sure you wrap it around a different side than in the previous step; you are wrapping it around towards your free hand. Now place the middle and outside strands between the index and middle and middle and ring finger, respectively.

   • If you are wrapping with your left hand, the hair will be wrapped on the left side of the strand. If you are wrapping with your right hand, the hair will be wrapped on the right side of the strand.

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   Continue for three or four turns. Continue braiding the hair this way for 3 to 4 more turns. You want to establish a tight, secure base braid for the rest of your cornrow.

7. 7

   Add hair to the braid. Now that the base braid is ready, start adding hair to the braid. Pick up a small amount of hair from the tract and add it to the strand between your thumb and index finger. Make sure that you add hair from both sides of the section you are braiding.

   • Continue adding small sections of hair from directly below where the braid is, braiding complete turns each time.

8. 8

   Continue the braid to the end of your hair. When you have incorporated all the hair from your scalp into your braid, keep braiding but transition to a box braid and continue until you get to the end of your hair. Secure your hair with a small rubber band.[8]

   • After you finish the first section, go back through the process for the other rows.

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1. 

   1

   Braid cornrows into your hair. To prepare your hair for crochet braids, braid your hair into cornrows. You can do 5-6 large cornrows, or you can do smaller ones.

   • The amount of cornrows you braid into your hair might depend on the kind of extensions you are braiding into your hair. If you are braiding bulky extensions, you can braid less cornrows into your hair.[9]
   • Crochet braids are braids where you first cornrow your hair, then attach the extensions into the cornrows by a latch hook method.[10]

2. 2

   Sew your tails to your cornrows. If your hair is long enough to extend beyond the nape of your neck, fold them up so they are directly alongside the cornrow. Push a threaded needle through the cornrow and the braided tail, then out and through a loop on the end of the thread. Pull tight to secure the thread around the hair. Repeat a few times along the cornrow.[11]

3. 3

   Attach the extension with a latch hook. Fold the extension in half so the ends meet evenly. The center of the extension should make a little loop. Carefully slide the latch hook under the cornrow. Hook the loop of the extension into the latch hook, then close it.

   • Buy a latch hook tool. This tool closes the hook so that it doesn't tear, break, or snag on your hair. If you use a regular crochet needle, you might damage your hair.[12]
   • Alternately, you can use a bobby pin. Slide the bobby pin under your cornrow until just the looped end is sticking out on the other side. Slide your extension through the looped end of the bobby pin. Make sure to pull the hair through until both strands are even. Slide the bobby pin and extension under the cornrow.

4. 4

   Pull the extension through. Carefully pull the extension underneath the cornrow until the loop of the extension is below the cornrow. Take the strands of the extension and pull them through the loop. Tighten the loop until it is snug against the cornrow, and therefore, attached to your hair.[13]

5. 

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   Repeat the same latch hook process. Once you have secured 1 extension, repeat the same process all the way down the cornrow. Place them as closely together as you please, depending on the look you are going for. You can put the extensions into twists or braids after you finish attaching them.

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Add New Question

• Question

  How do I braid an extension in with my natural hair?

  

  Amber Rose is a Licensed Cosmetologist and the Founder and Owner of Quality Style Weaves and Braids Salon in Orlando, Florida. With over ten years of experience, Amber is experienced in twists, braids, weaves, cutting, styling, and conditioning treatments. She specializes in hair growth for all hair types.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

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• Question

  How do you braid your scalp with weave?

  

  Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

  Expert Answer

• Question

  How do you tie a simple braid?

  

  Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

  Expert Answer

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Article SummaryX

If you want to box braid extensions into your hair, start by washing your hair, since small braids tend to remain in place for a long time. Then, separate a small section of your natural hair and wrap the middle of a hair extension around it. Once the extension is secured, you should be holding three strands which you can braid together. Repeat that process with more extensions until your whole head is braided. Keep reading to learn how to braid cornrows and crochet braids with hair extensions!

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