Hello Everyone,

I would like to try a 4-strand braid, but after searching for instructions, have realized that there are many different ways to do so, with varying effects (round, square, etc). Could anyone out there give me a way that's easy to do *on your own hair*, especially once it gets to be wicked long (mine's classic at least now)?

Thanks!


Cheers,
~Bryndis



35"/45"/Classic Braid; 1c/F/ii
Past few months have been experimenting again. "Wash" on an as-needed basis. I make up a mixture similar to Willow's, with beer, egg yolk, and a few essential oils. I am still hesitant to give up my conditioner because I feel it helps with tangles, but we'll see.
Coconut oil as needed.
Moisture spritz as needed (aloe juice, water, rosemary & ylang-ylang e.o.'s for scent)
Horn comb and HairSense "bone" comb.
Been months without using a brush (wooden, from Earth Theraputics)
Will update this as I go! (last updated January 2008)

Have you checked out Torrin's video instructions? If not, check out these links:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=-WLxiME_moI

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwr0ZMPOEMk


Smiles are contagious - start an epidemic!

1bFii/iii, natural blonde. Growing out thick bangs. Private First Class in the FLA.
Shampoo: Kyrell Mild.
Conditioner: Herbal Essences Body Envy.
Oils: jojoba, monoi.
Hercules-Saegemann saw-cut vulcanite comb.



Location: Germany
Age: 33

Click ---> My Photo Blog

Someone (maybe you) posted on the regular forum about that lady's site --the Hawser braid?-- a few weeks ago. Due to my limited internet access I haven't been able to watch much more of her other videos yet, but I agree she is great. I will try to check out the links you sent over the next few days.
Thank you!


Cheers,
~Bryndis



35"/45"/Classic Braid; 1c/F/ii
Past few months have been experimenting again. "Wash" on an as-needed basis. I make up a mixture similar to Willow's, with beer, egg yolk, and a few essential oils. I am still hesitant to give up my conditioner because I feel it helps with tangles, but we'll see.
Coconut oil as needed.
Moisture spritz as needed (aloe juice, water, rosemary & ylang-ylang e.o.'s for scent)
Horn comb and HairSense "bone" comb.
Been months without using a brush (wooden, from Earth Theraputics)
Will update this as I go! (last updated January 2008)

It really depends on what effect you want. As you wrote four strand braids can get several different shapes. There are also several different techniques on the flat one, some that naturally twists and some that are just flat. 

The two kinds I use most often is round (for sleep braid) and flat (that doesn't twist). I found the round to be a bit more complicated to learn but I really like the look of it and it also doesn't seem to give very much wave (my hair doesn't look very good with braid waves). I'll try to explain how I do them:

Round:
Divide the hair into four equal strands. Take the right most strand and move to the left over two strands and then back (to the right) under one.

Then take the left most strand and move it to the right over two strands and then back (to the left) under one.

Continue like this.

ETA: It's, off course, also possible to do this braid dutch style. You just change it to under two back over one instead.

Flat:
Divide the hair into four equal strands. Take the right most and weave it, to the left, under one strand and over the next.

Take the left most strand and weave it, to the right, over one strand and under the next.

Continue like this.

I hope you can understand  my explanations and please exuse my poor paint drawing skills.

My hair is thin, tail bone length with a very heavy taper and I can do both kinds all the way down without too aching arms. lol

cross made of my own and my mothers hair

1a/bFi/ii

16/38/38
Maintaining at tail bone for 2009 trying to get a thicker hemline

Routine:
Daily scalp wash with CV bars followed by ACV since.
Treatment with coconut oil, aloe vera gel and deep conditioner once or twice per week.
Oiling with coconut oil when needed.

Horn combs and BBB brush.

Maybe I'll have time this week to practice. I have some friends who may be interested as well, so thanks again!

Cheers,
Bryndis