Beyond the Ponytail

French Braid

Worth the practice.

By Martin, the dad behind Dad Hair Hero. The steps are the ones in the app.

Full steps in the free app, in Beyond the Ponytail.

French Braid, the finished style: back view

Time: About 10 minutes
Steps: 7
Level: Takes real practice
Hair type: Every hair type
Ages: Older children and pre-teens
Hair length: Hair that touches her shoulders, or longer

You'll need wide-tooth comb, detangling brush, snag-free hair elastic, soft-bristle brush, detangler spray, fine-mist water bottle, sectioning clip. For curly and coily hair, also leave-in conditioner.

A three-strand braid that starts at the very top of her head and gathers in new hair from each side as it works toward the back of her neck, sitting flat against the head.

French Braid, the finished style, curly hair: back view — The same style on curly hair.

Her job

She counts how many times you add in a new strip.

What the steps cover

Detangle first
Smooth the surface
Take a starting section at the very top of her head
Divide into three and do the opening cross
Add a strip on each side and cross over
Continue as a three-strand braid to the tip
Secure the end

The full steps, with a picture for each and what to check before you move on, are in the app, in Beyond the Ponytail, with the curly and coily method where it differs.

Full steps in the app

Beyond the Ponytail is an optional one-time pack of twelve styles in the Dad Hair Hero app. You pay once and they are yours to keep. There is no subscription, and you can see every style in the pack before you decide. Once it is yours, the app does four things this page cannot:

Her hair, not hair in general. Choose Straight, Wavy, Thick, Curly or Coily under "her hair today" and the steps and pictures change to the method for her hair.
A check before every step. Each step ends with what it should look and feel like, so you know it is right before you move on.
Fix It, mid-style. When something is not right, "Something's not right" opens the fix for it without leaving the step.
The diary. Add a photo and a note when you finish, and see what you have done and what to try next.

Free, with six everyday styles and all eight techniques. No account, no ads, no tracking.