Beyond the Ponytail

Three-Strand Braid

The braid every other braid builds on.

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.

Three-Strand Braid, the finished style: back view

Time: About 5 minutes
Steps: 6
Level: Takes some practice
Hair type: Every hair type
Ages: Young children to pre-teens
Hair length: Hair that touches her shoulders, or longer

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

The classic braid: three equal sections crossed over each other alternately from the back of her neck to tip.

Three-Strand Braid, the finished style, curly hair: back view — The same style on curly hair.

Her job

She calls out Left, Middle, Right as you cross each strand.

What the steps cover

Detangle and gather at the back of her neck
Divide into three equal sections
First cross: right over middle
Second cross: left over middle
Continue to the end
Secure the tip

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.