Nonie
Well-Known Member
I think this will just come with practice. In the tutorial I shared, I explained that I hold the "cross-over" of the extension hair against the base of my own hair which is already divided into three and then I'd divide my hair to match the extension hair without allowing extension hair to leave the base, and then start braiding. Let me see if I can be clearer.prettypuff1 said:can someone help me with starting the braids. I am getting them started fine, it is just they are too low. I dont want them tight, but just up a little closer to the scalp.. help
Using middle finger and thumb of right hand, I hold the divided extension hair's cross-over against the base of my undivided hair. With fingers of left hand, I section 1/3 of my hair and hold it against one extension section as close to the base of my own hair as possible. Then I transfer base hold of cross-over to the left hand that just did separation so the other can do the same on the other side. To ensure the paired up section doesn't mix back into the central portion and that the extension hair doesn't slide away from base, I use the left hand's index finger and part of thumb near tip to firmly hold cross-over against the base as before (that's the take-over), while the middle finger and part of thumb near knuckle of left hand holds the paired sections on the left so they do not mix back.The newly free right hand's fingers now do the sectioning off of 1/3 of my hair on the other side and match it to one section of the extension hair. (The right hand is relaxed because the left hand is making sure the extension stays in place). Just as with left hand, it's the right hand's middle finger and thumb near knuckle that hold the newly matched pair together. So the upper part of right thumb and index finger are free to take over base+"cross-over", which is also now center section of my hair automatically matched to center section of extension. So the hold is:
- left middle finger and thumb holding base of left pair;
- right index finger and part of right thumb holding base of middle pair pinning cross-over to base (This was the take-over)
- right middle finger and part of right thumb holding base of right pair
Time to start braiding: Starting with right pair, take over the central pair which is still held in place by right index and thumb. Left index and thumb receive the pair you're crossing over as close to base as possible since that pair now becomes central (base) section...and guess what: the left hand is now in-command of holding braid at base (Remember this is what we have been calling the cross-over/base - the central section). Right fingers can relax a little, and can smooth the previously middle section which is now on the right (helps to keep hair nice and smoothly matched). OK, time for right hand to get busy. Holding this new right section at base with middle and thumb so the index of right and part of thumb is about to be "in command": reaching over to the left right index/thumb receive the pair that up to now has been on the left, coz it's its turn to cross over and become centre section. Every time your index finger reaches over for a pair, remember to hold ithe pair you receive as close to the base or cross over as possible. This should ensure that have firm and neat braids.
I am sorry that's as clear as I can explain without diagrams and lawd knows I couldn't draw the finger holds. But really, everyone I believe goes through what you're going through when they first start off. So just keep practicing; it gets easier, I promise.
Good luck!