As braids of various kinds have come back into fashion, celebrities such as Lindsey Lohan, Jessica Simpson and Nicole Ritchie have been spotted sporting a single braid worn headband-style across the top of the head. Lace braids, famously worn by Legolas in The Lord of the Rings, can be made using a variety of braid styles—French and Dutch being the most common. Learning to make regular versions of the braids first will keep lace braids simple.
How to Make a French Lace Braid
First master the regular French braid. A French braid is a simple three-strand plait, formed by crossing the left and then right strands over the middle. As the braid travels down the back of the head, extra hair is added to each strand before crossing over, until all the hair is evenly incorporated throughout the three strands. The braid is then braided out to the end and secured.
A lace braid is simply a French braid plaited across the top of the head, but with the extra sections of hair only added to one side rather than both.
- To make a French lace braid, part your hair horizontally across the top of your head, from ear to ear. The parting is where the finished braid will sit. A parting far away from your forehead will result in a thicker braid; a parting close to the forehead will make a tiny, delicate lace braid.
- Brush all the hair forward of the part to one side. The remaining hair behind the part can be secured with a hair elastic or barrette to keep it out of the way.
- Gather a thin strip of hair, running from the hairline to the part, to begin the plait. If you start at one ear and braid to the other, you will be working 'upside down' for a while. A simpler option is to begin the lace braid at one side of the forehead.
- Divide the strip of hair into three. Braid left over middle, then right over middle to begin a French plait.
- Gather another thin strip of hair, from the hairline to the part, and add it to the section of hair on the left. Cross left over middle.
- Cross the right strand over the middle without adding extra hair.
- Keep braiding, adding thin strips of hair as you go, but only to the left side. As you braid, tug the hair gently so it covers the parting instead of creeping towards your forehead.
- When you reach the opposite ear, simply stop adding sections of hair and braid the braid out to the end. Secure with a hair elastic.
How to Make a Dutch Lace Braid
A Dutch braid is an inverted French braid. To make the change, simply cross the strands under the middle strand instead of over. To make a Dutch lace braid, follow the instructions for a French lace braid, but cross left under middle, right under middle through.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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