In order to really get the waterfall effect, begin at the top of your head so your braid actually appears to be cascading downward.
Start by gathering a one- to two-inch section of your hair at the front and divide into three sections.
Photo 3/5
How to Do a Waterfall Braid: French Braid With Release
Next, begin braiding a classic French braid, adding more strands of hair to the overlapping section as your cross over (Not sure how to French braid? Follow our quick video tutorial here). Do this for about three inches, depending on where you want the waterfall effect to begin.
Now, to get the waterfall effect, once you've crossed the top section over, drop that section of hair completely. Then, use your fingers to pick up another new small section of hair near the one you just you just dropped.
Photo 4/5
How to Do a Waterfall Braid: Continue Weaving
Repeat this process for each section you cross over. Use your fingers to tug gently on the strands you drop to maintain tightness of the braid.
Photo 5/5
How to Do a Waterfall Braid: Secure and finish
Once you reach the other side of your head, secure the ends with a clear elastic or by tying a strand around the end of your braid.
If you're creating two waterfall braids on either side of your hair, connect them at the back of your crown by weaving them together in a classic braid down to the ends. Finally, secure with an elastic.
Voilà! A gorgeous waterfall braid you can be 100 percent proud of.
Ah, the waterfall braid: So pretty, yet so elusive to many of us.
We all love braided hairstyles, and the waterfall braid is one of the prettiest braids you can DIY. But even braid fanatics often skip this one. Why? Because most of us are sitting here asking how to do a waterfall braid.
Whatever the reason, the waterfall braid trend looks like it's here to stay, so it's a good idea to learn how to do it. And the good news is this: Despite how beautifully impossible it looks to DIY, the waterfall braid is actually just a spin on the classic French braid. Translation: It's a heck of a lot easier to do than you think.
Yep, as intricate as it may seem, learning how to do a waterfall braid is easy -- especially if you already know how to French braid. In fact, the two braiding styles are so similar, there's really only one simple difference.
To make sure you master how to do a waterfall braid (and don't get confused along the way), we've created this step-by-step waterfall braid tutorial. Check it out and finally learn how to do a waterfall braid.
