Here’s a clear, beginner‑friendly guide on how to french braid your own hair two sides , plus some extra tips to actually make it doable on yourself (not just on a mannequin).

Quick Scoop

You’ll:

  • Part your hair down the middle.
  • Clip one side out of the way.
  • French braid one side from your hairline back to your nape.
  • Repeat on the other side and secure both braids.

Think of it as making two tight pigtails, but each one is a French braid that “picks up” hair as it goes.

Step 1: Prep and Part

  1. Start with detangled, dry or slightly damp hair. A bit of light gel or styling cream will help tame frizz and give grip.
  1. Brush all your hair straight back, then use the tip of a comb or your finger to part from the middle of your forehead straight back to the nape.
  1. Pull the left half into a low temporary ponytail or clip so it doesn’t mix with the right side while you braid.

Tip: Don’t stress if the part isn’t razor‑perfect; you won’t see the back much once both braids are in.

Step 2: Learn the French Braid “Pattern”

A French braid is just a basic three‑strand braid with extra hair added each time you cross a strand over the middle.

  1. At the front of the loose side (say, the right), grab a small triangular section near your hairline and split it into three equal strands.
  1. Cross the back strand over the middle, then the front strand over the middle – just like a normal braid.
  1. Now before each new cross, pick up a small bit of loose hair from that side and add it into the strand you’re about to cross over the middle.

Rhythm in your head: “add hair, cross over – add hair, cross over.”

Step 3: French Braid the First Side

Focus on one side at a time so you don’t get tangled.

  1. With your starting three strands at the top of the right side:
    • Cross the back strand over the middle.
    • Cross the front strand over the middle.
  1. Now:
    • From the back side, use your little finger or comb to scoop up a thin slice of loose hair. Add it to the back strand, then cross that combined strand over the middle.
 * From the **front** side (near your face), scoop up another thin slice, add it to the front strand, then cross that over the middle.
  1. Keep repeating this “add and cross” pattern, working down the head:
    • Keep the braid snug against your scalp – that’s what makes it look neat.
    • Keep your elbows lifted a bit so you’re not pulling the braid forward onto your face.

When you run out of loose hair at the nape, switch to a normal three‑strand braid (no more adding hair) all the way to the ends and secure with a small elastic.

Step 4: Braid the Second Side

Now do the exact same thing on the other side.

  1. Release the clipped‑up left section and brush it smooth.
  1. Take a small triangular section at the front, split into three strands, and repeat:
    • Back strand over middle; front strand over middle.
    • Add small hair sections from each side before you cross.
  1. Once you reach the nape, finish with a regular braid and secure with an elastic.

Try to match the tightness and position of the first braid so they look like a pair.

Practical Self‑Braiding Tips

  • Start bigger and looser while you’re learning; once your hands understand the pattern, you can go tighter and cleaner.
  • Use two mirrors (or a phone camera propped behind you) for the first few tries so you can see the back.
  • If your arms get tired:
    • Pause with your strands safely held.
    • Drop your elbows, relax, then lift back up and keep going.
  • For slippery or freshly washed hair, a bit of texturizing spray or styling powder makes braids hold and look fuller.

Style Tweaks and Variations

Once you can do the basic “two French braids,” you can vary them:

  • High sporty double braids: Start closer to the crown and keep tension tight – great for workouts and runs.
  • Softer, boho look: After securing, gently tug at the outer edges of each braid to “pancake” them and add volume.
  • Side variations: You can shift the part or angle the braids slightly back for different face‑framing effects, similar to side French braid techniques.

Quick Practice Plan

If you’re brand new, treat it like a mini “training plan”:

  1. Day 1–2: Practice a single French braid down the back of your head. Don’t worry about neatness, just learn the add‑and‑cross motion.
  1. Day 3–4: Do two French braids but don’t worry if the part is crooked or one side is tighter.
  2. After a week: Focus on clean sections and even tension so your “how to french braid your own hair two sides” style looks polished and intentional.

Mini FAQ

Do I need very long hair?
Not necessarily; French braids work on medium to long hair. For shoulder‑length hair, your braids will just end higher and shorter.

What if layers stick out?
Use a tiny bit of styling cream and small bobby pins to tuck in flyaways along the braid.

TL;DR: Part your hair down the middle, clip one side away, then on each side start with three small strands at the front, keep adding small bits of hair as you cross each strand over the middle, and finish with a regular braid at the ends – repeat on both sides for neat double French braids.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.