Today we are teaching you how to create a Half-Loop Braidback, using the Feather Braid stranding we’ve shown you before. To create the loops in this braid, you “skip-stitch” the feathered strands from the braid, and then pancake them to your liking.
This tutorial is inspired by a few shots I saw on Instagram, one from a viewer named Sophia who posted a photo of this after being inspired by our French Loop Braid a few weeks ago.
We categorized this style as “Medium” in skill level, only because the skip-stitching can be confusing. Be sure to watch the video closely to know exactly when to bring back in a previously-feathered strand.
Adding the Loop Braiding technique, to any French, Dutch, Simple, or Lace Braids, you can definitely dress up any braid! I can imagine this being used in any number of wedding hairstyles, or Prom and Homecoming hairstyle combos.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1 Begin by parting the hair slightly off center (you don’t want the part to be too deep, or the braids will be uneven)…
2 Next, create a section from that part line down to about an inch above the ear, as leaving some hair to cover the ear creates a more mature look to the style (you can also pull all the hair back above the ear for a younger look)…
3 Now divide that section into three even strands, and begin one simple braid stitch…
4 In the next stitch, on the elbow of hair closest to the ear, remove a tiny little strand and let it fall (we call this technique “feather braiding”)…
5 Now, create a 3rd braid stitch, and, again, on the lower piece, create a falling feathered strand (this will be the 2nd feather strand you drop)…
6 Create a 4th braid stitch, and, again, on the lower strand, create a falling feathered strand (this will be the 3rd feather strand you drop)…
7 However, on this stitch, after you drop the 3rd feathered strand, go back and pick up the first feathered strand and add it back into the lower right-most strand (you essentially trade strands…you drop the 3rd feathered strand, and then pick up the first and add it into that same strand of hair)…
8 Now create a 5th braid stitch, and, again, drop the feathered strand and then add back into the braid the 2nd feathered strand…
9 After about 3-4 stitches, go back and gently tug on the feathered elbows so that they pop out from the braid, creating the integral “looping” in the braid (if you braid all the way down first, it will become much harder to pull the loops out)…
10 Continue Steps #3-9 until you near the end of the hair, or have created a long enough braid to reach the back of the head (the desired length of the braidback is entirely up to you)…
11 When you near the end of the braid, stop dropping new feathered strands and simply add in the last two previously feathered strands (this gives a nice finishing point to the braid)…
12 Repeat Steps #3-11 on the other side of the head.
13 When both sides are braided, secure them together in the back of the head, adjusting the length to your liking…
14 Add hairspray and accessory (if desired).
Rebecca 