How to Braid with Hair Extensions

Braids are such a cute hairstyle, and are perfect for all occasions. However, while braids are one of our favourite hairstyles, they can be difficult to achieve with hair extensions.

Wearing your hair extensions in braids often reveals those bonds, tapes or wefts that you want to keep hidden and can end up looking very messy. Luckily, there are ways around this problem.

While learning how to braid with hair extensions often takes a bit of time and practice, the outcome is definitely worth it. When done properly, the added length and volume of your hair extensions will create thicker, more beautiful braids!

In this post, we will teach you how to create three different braid styles with extensions.

Tips to Get Started

If you’re wanting to achieve the perfect braid, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:

• Brush your hair and hair extensions before braiding to get rid of any tangles or knots
• Apply a hair oil or texturising spray to keep the hair together when sectioning and braiding, and to remove any frizz. Be sure to only apply the oil to the mid lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp.
• Use hair spray to keep flyaways at bay and ensure that your braids stay perfectly in place
• Ensure that you are gentle when braiding so as to not damage your extensions

Double Dutch Braids

Double Dutch braids are a cute and trendy style that look great with extensions. Keep in mind that this is a centre parted style, so your extensions will need to be put in accordingly. If you are using clip-in extensions, these can be easily adjusted, however if you have tape, weft or micro bead extensions, you will need to tell your hair stylist that you plan on wearing braids before they put them in.

If you are clipping in your own extensions, install them vertically on either side of a middle part. When it comes to the braid, begin by sectioning each side of your hair into three pieces, starting from the top. Place the right piece under the middle, and then the left under the middle. Continue doing this, adding hair from the root as you go, working from the front to the back of your head, before plaiting normally the rest of the way down. Easy!

French Braids

French braiding is similar to the above, except that you bring each outside piece of hair over the middle, rather than under.

However, if you have tape, weft or micro bead extensions and can’t change their position to suit a centre part, you may be better suited to a single braid. By doing just one braid instead of two, you can avoid revealing the messy side to your hair extensions. A single braid will come down the middle of your head, hiding your hair extensions.

Beginning anywhere from the front to the base of your head, begin braiding your hair straight down the back of your head, ensuring to include all of your hair in the braid. The result? A thick, luxurious braid that looks stunning for any occasion.

Double Parting Braids

Another great style that looks amazing with hair extensions is double parting braids. This is where you create two small braids from the front to the crown of the head on each side of a centre part, while the rest of the hair is down.

To achieve this style, section of a small piece of hair, around 5cm, on either side of your parting across the top of your head. Be sure to not section off so much hair that your bonds show. From the front of your hairline, split a small section into three parts. Begin to French braid, pulling hair from the small section you’ve already separated. Continue braiding towards the back of the head and once you’ve reached the crown, continue to plait normally for the remaining length.