How To Style A Waterfall Braid

Of all of the braids we all know and love, none seem quite as elusive as the waterfall braid. While a waterfall braid may not look intricate, there’s just something about it that makes us think to ourselves—how did they do that?

Cassi Pinder, L’Oréal Professionnel brand ambassador and stylist, is here alleviate all of your waterfall braid fears. Whether you have dark brown hair or ash blonde locks, all you have to do is follow these simple rules and you’ll slay a waterfall braid in no time.

 

What is a waterfall braid?

If you know how to create a French braid, you can definitely create a waterfall braid. Think of a waterfall braid like a French braid with a twist. Crafting a waterfall braid requires a very similar technique to creating a French braid—there’s just one extra step. Instead of braiding all of your hair flat against your head, you’ll allow some of your hair to hang loosely from the braid and create the waterfall effect.

 

Prep Your Hair

The beauty of braids is that they work on all hair types and textures, but your mane may require a bit of help if you have very straight strands. Sleek strands tend to slip and slide when crafting your braid and may even cause your braid to unravel prematurely. To ensure your braid lasts all night long, we recommend beginning with second-day hair. It will have just enough product and texture to help keep your braid in place.

If you’ve recently washed your hair, don’t panic—we’ve got just the thing. A texturizing product like L’Oréal Professionnel’s Architexture Texturizing Paste will help to give your strands some much needed texturized structure.

Now you’re ready to begin styling your hair. Take a small segment of hair near your hairline and divvy it up into three even sections—left, middle, and right.

 

Begin Your Braid

To begin, pick up the section farthest to the right and cross it over the middle and under the left section.

 

Create The Waterfall Effect

Allow that small segment of hair to hang down as you cross the left section over the middle section and combine it with the right section. Pick up another small section of hair to create three segments and continue crafting your braid.

Take the section farthest to the right and cross it over the middle and under the left section. Allow that small segment of hair to hang down as you cross the left section over the middle section and combine it with the right section. Continue repeating these steps until you reach the back of your head.

 

Secure Your Braid

Waterfall braids are beautiful to look at, but they’re not always very secure. We recommend switching your braiding technique to a traditional three-strand braid to ensure your braid doesn’t unravel, before securing it with a hair clip.

 

Craft Another Waterfall Braid

This particular braided ‘do requires two braids. Begin crafting a waterfall braid on the opposite side of your head. Once you have two waterfall braids, remove the hair clips and bring both braids to meet at the back of your head.

 

Finishing Touches

Braid the ends of both waterfall braids together using a traditional three-strand technique. Secure the braid with a small hair elastic. Pancake the braid for a final voluminous effect. Set your look with a strong hold hairspray like L’Oréal Professionnel’s Infinium 4 Hairspray.

Interested in a stunning braided ‘do of your own for your next big day? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.