How to Make the Three- Strand Braid, the Fishtail

How to Make the ThreeStrand Braid, the Fishtail
Braid, and the Twist Braid
Prepared By Karla Macias,
Bao Nguyen,
Luis Guevara,
& Donovan McGrane
Technical Communication 2700.028
Terry Smith
iii
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iii
Introduction to Making the Three-Strand Braid, the Fishtail Braid, and the Twist Braid .............. 1
Preparing Your Materials ................................................................................................................ 1
Pre-Instructions to Braiding Hair .................................................................................................... 4
Untangling Knots in Your Hair................................................................................................... 4
Combing or Brushing Your Hair ................................................................................................ 4
Making the Ponytail Part One ..................................................................................................... 5
Making the Ponytail Part Two .................................................................................................... 5
Instructions for Braiding Hair ......................................................................................................... 6
Three Strand Braid ...................................................................................................................... 6
Preparing the Strands .............................................................................................................. 6
Starting the Three Strand Braid Part One ............................................................................... 7
Starting the Three Strand Braid Part Two............................................................................... 8
Finishing Your Braid .............................................................................................................. 9
Styling the Three-Strand Braid ............................................................................................. 10
Fishtail Braid............................................................................................................................. 10
Preparing the Strands ............................................................................................................ 10
Starting the Fishtail Braid Part One ...................................................................................... 11
Starting the Fishtail Braid Part Two ..................................................................................... 13
Finishing Your Fishtail Braid ............................................................................................... 15
Styling the Fishtail Braid ...................................................................................................... 15
Twist Braid................................................................................................................................ 15
Preparing the Strands ............................................................................................................ 15
Starting the Twist Braid ........................................................................................................ 16
Finishing Your Twist Braid .................................................................................................. 18
Styling the Twist Braid ......................................................................................................... 18
Instructions on How to Clean Up.................................................................................................. 18
Cleaning Up Yourself ........................................................................................................... 18
Putting Away Items............................................................................................................... 18
Troubleshooting Page ................................................................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting for Preparing the Hair .................................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting While Combing the Hair ........................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting While Using Materials ............................................................................... 19
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Troubleshooting While Using Materials ............................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting for Instructions............................................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting While Braiding the Three Strand Braid ..................................................... 19
Troubleshooting While Braiding the Fishtail Braid.............................................................. 19
Troubleshooting While Braiding the Twist Braid ................................................................ 19
1
Introduction to Making the Three-Strand Braid, the
Fishtail Braid, and the Twist Braid
These instructions will help people who want to learn how to braid the following three types of
braids: the three strand braid, the twist braid, and the fishtail ponytail braid. This instruction
booklet teaches amateur braiders to braid hair easily. The instruction booklet will contain the
materials needed to braid hair, instructions on how to set up the hair, instructions on how to braid
hair, instructions on how to clean the area afterwards, and a troubleshooting page to answer any
questions the reader may have.
Preparing Your Materials
The following list shows the materials needed for doing the three-strand braid, the fishtail braid,
and the twist braid:
 One brush or comb
 Two hair ties per braid
 ‘It’s a 10’ Hairspray
 Garnier Fructis Leave-in Conditioner Cream
 At least shoulder-length hair
The following list shows different types of brushes you can use for your hair:
 Paddle Brush: a rectangular-head brush that help untangle medium to long hair (Fig.1.1)
Fig. 1.1: Paddle Brush

Pin Brush: an oval-head brush with rounded metal pins that help untangle thick or curly
hair (Fig. 1.2)
Fig. 1.2: Pin Brush
2

Quill Brush: an oval-headed or round brush designed to distribute the natural oils in hair.
This comb works well with all hair types (Fig 1.3)
Fig. 1.3: Quill Brush

Wide-Tooth Comb: a comb with teeth designed to untangle knots within the hair. This
comb works well with all hair types (Fig. 1.4)
Fig. 1.4: Wide-Tooth Comb

Boar Bristle Brush: a boar bristle styling brush with cushion base that help distribute
natural oils for shinier, more manageable hair (Fig 1.5)
Fig. 1.5: Boar Bristle Brush
3

Normal Comb: normal everyday comb that comes in various sizes. These combs help
smooth out hair and make them look sleeker (Fig. 1.6)
Fig. 1.6: Normal Comb
You will need hair ties and hairpins. (Fig. 1.7)
 Use hair pains to hold back loose hair strands
 Use hair ties to keep the braid in place
Fig. 1.7: Hair Ties
You will need ‘It’s a 10’ hairspray. (Fig. 1.8)
 The ‘It’s a 10’ hairspray holds the hair in place
 This particular hairspray also conditions the hair
 Must have clean well-combed hair in order to braid hair
Fig. 1.8: ‘It’s a 10’ Hairspray
4
Pre-Instructions to Braiding Hair
Untangling Knots in Your Hair
1. Locate the knots in hair
2. Untangle knots by making long even strokes with fingers (Fig. 2.1)
Fig. 2.1: Untangling Knots
3. Grab the Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream
4. Squeeze some cream out of the bottle onto your hand
5. Apply the Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream evenly throughout all of your
hair
6. Allow your hair to absorb the product for at least 20 minutes
Combing or Brushing Your Hair
1. Grab the appropriate brush or comb for your hair
2. Comb or brush the ends of the hair using the brush or comb appropriate for your hair
(Fig. 2.2)
Fig. 2.2: Combing the Ends of the Hair
3. Place the comb at the top of your hair
5
4. Slowly work your way down until you have reached the end of your hair (Fig. 2.3)
Fig. 2.3: Combing the Entire Section
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on different parts of your hair
6. Run fingers through your hair to see if you missed any knots or tangles
Making the Ponytail Part One
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Ensure that you brush or comb back all stray hair
Locate bumps and frizzy areas by running your hand along hair
Gather all of your hair with your hand
Cup hair all with your non-dominant hand
Grab a hair tie with your dominant hand
Slip the hair through the hole of the hair tie
Making the Ponytail Part Two
1.
2.
3.
4.
Twist the hair tie clockwise once to the right side
Slip the hair through the hole of the hair tie
Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the hair tie holds the ponytail tightly
Secure ponytail at the base (Fig. 2.4)
Fig. 2.4: How a Secured Ponytail Should Look Like
6
Instructions for Braiding Hair
Three Strand Braid
Preparing the Strands
1. Separate hair into three strands evenly (Fig. 3.1)
Fig. 3.1: Separating Hair
2. Grab the left strand with your left hand
3. Grab the right strand with your right hand (Fig 3.2)
Fig. 3.2: Grabbing the Right Strand
4. Make sure you hold all strands tightly throughout all of the steps
5. Make sure you grab all strands without letting go of the other strands throughout all of
the steps unless the directions tell you to let go
6. Make sure you keep your hands close to the base (Fig. 3.3)
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Fig. 3.3: Keeping Hands Close to the Base
Starting the Three Strand Braid Part One
1. Stick your index finger forward from your right hand
2. Stick your middle finger forward from your right hand (Fig. 3.4)
Fig. 3.4: Sticking Your Index and Middle Finger Forward
3. Make sure you place the two fingers above the hair
4. Grab the strand on the left using your index finger and your middle finger(Fig. 3.5)
Fig. 3.5: Grabbing the Strand
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5. Grab the strand in the middle using your left hand
6. Put the strand that you grabbed with your index finger and middle finger in between the
other two strands
7. Let go of the strand in the middle (Fig. 3.6)
Fig. 3.6: Letting Go of the Middle Strand
Starting the Three Strand Braid Part Two
1. Stick your index finger forward from your left hand
Stick your middle finger forward from your left hand (Fig. 3.7)
Fig. 3.7: Sticking Out Both of Your Fingers
2. Grab the strand on the right using your index finger and your middle finger
3. Grab the strand in the middle using your right hand (Fig 3.8)
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Fig. 3.8: Grabbing the Strand in the Middle
4. Put the strand that you grabbed with your index finger and middle finger in between the
other two strands
5. Let go of the strand in the middle (Fig. 3.9)
Fig. 3.9: Letting Go of the Strand in the Middle
Finishing Your Braid
1. Repeat the steps in Starting the Three-Strand Braid Part One
2. Repeat the steps in Starting the Three-Strand Braid Part Two
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have reached the end of your hair
4. Grab a hair tie
5. Refer to the Pre-Instructions if you need help learning how to tie your hair
6. Tie your hair at the bottom of the braid (Fig. 3.10)
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Fig. 3.10: Tied Hair
Styling the Three-Strand Braid
1. Grab the ‘It’s a 10’ hairspray
2. Spray hairspray all over the braid at one inch away from braid for 3 seconds
Warning: Avoid spraying hairspray on any section of your face
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have sprayed all of the braid
Fishtail Braid
Preparing the Strands
1. Separate hair into two strands evenly (Fig. 3.11)
Fig. 3.11: Separating the Two Strands
2. Grab the left strand with your left hand (Fig. 3.12)
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Fig. 3.12: Grabbing the Left Strand
3. Grab the right strand with your right hand (Fig. 3.13)
Fig. 3.13: Grabbing the Right Strand
4. Make sure you hold all strands tightly throughout all the steps
5. Make sure you grab all strands without letting go of the other strands throughout all of
the steps unless the directions tell you to let go
6. Make sure you keep your hands close to the base
Starting the Fishtail Braid Part One
1. Stick your index finger forward from your right hand (Fig. 3.14)
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Fig. 3.14: Sticking Your Index Finger Forward
2. Stick your middle finger forward from your right hand (Fig. 3.15)
Fig. 3.15: Sticking Your Middle Finger Forward
3. Grab one-fourth of the left strand from the outer edge using your index finger and middle
finger (Fig. 3.16)
Fig. 3.16: Grabbing the One-Fourth Strand from the Outer Edge
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4. Combine this one-fourth strand with the strand on the right (Fig. 3.17)
Fig. 3.17: Combining the Strand
5. Grab the strand on the left
6. Let go of the strand on the right (Fig. 3.18)
Fig. 3.18: Letting Go of the Right Strand
Starting the Fishtail Braid Part Two
1. Stick your index finger forward from your left hand (Fig. 3.19)
Fig. 3.19: Sticking Your Index Finger Forward
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2. Stick your middle finger forward from your left hand (Fig. 3.20)
Fig. 3.20: Sticking your Middle Finger Forward
3. Grab one-fourth of the strand on the right using your index finger and middle finger (Fig.
3.21)
Fig. 3.21: Grabbing the One-Fourth of the Strand from the Outer Edge
4. Combine this one-fourth strand with the strand on the left (Fig. 3.22)
Fig. 3.22: Combining the Strands
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5. Grab the strand on the right
6. Let go of the strand on the left
Finishing Your Fishtail Braid
1. Repeat the steps in Starting the Fishtail Braid Part One
2. Repeat the steps in Starting the Fishtail Braid Part Two
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have reached the end of your hair
4. Grab a hair tie
5. Refer to the Pre-Instructions if you need help learning how to tie your hair
6. Tie your hair at the bottom of the braid (Fig. 3.23)
Fig. 3.23: Tied Hair
Styling the Fishtail Braid
1. Grab the ‘It’s a 10’ hairspray
2. Spray hairspray all over the braid at one inch away from braid for 3 seconds
Warning: Avoid spraying hairspray on any section of your face
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have sprayed all of the braid
Twist Braid
Preparing the Strands
1. Separate hair into two strands evenly (Fig. 3.24)
Fig. 3.24: Separating Both Strands
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2. Grab the left strand with the left hand (Fig. 3.25)
Fig. 3.25: Grabbing the Left Strand
3. Grab the right strand with the right hand (Fig. 3.26)
Fig. 3.26: Grabbing the Right Strand
4. Make sure you hold all strands tightly throughout all the steps
5. Make sure you grab all strands without letting go of the other strands throughout all of
the steps unless the directions tell you to let go
Starting the Twist Braid
1. Completely twist the left strand clockwise in a spiral column (Fig. 3.27)
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Fig. 3.27: Twisting the Left Strand
2. Completely twist the right strand clockwise in a spiral column (Fig. 3.28)
Fig. 3.28: Twisting the Right Strand
3. Move the left strand to the right (Fig. 3.29)
Fig 3.29: Moving the Left Strand to the Right
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4. Hold the current right strand tightly in your right hand
5. Hold the left strand tightly in your hand
6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 until you have reached the end of your hair
Finishing Your Twist Braid
1. Grab a hair tie
2. Refer to the Pre-Instructions if you need help learning how to tie your hair
3. Tie your hair at the bottom of the braid (Fig. 3.30)
Fig. 3.30: Tied Hair
Styling the Twist Braid
1. Grab the ‘It’s a 10’ hairspray
2. Spray hairspray all over the braid at one inch away from braid for 3 seconds
Warning: Avoid spraying hairspray on any section of your face
3. Repeat steps 1 through 2 until you have sprayed all of the braid
Instructions on How to Clean Up
Cleaning Up Yourself
1. Wash your hands using water and soap
2. Dry your hands
3. Grab any stray hair left around your area
4. Throw away the stray hair in the trash
Putting Away Items
1. Grab your brush
2. Put away your brush in a storage compartment
3. Grab the conditioner
4. Store the conditioner in a storage compartment
5. Grab the hairspray
6. Store the hair spray in a storage compartment
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Troubleshooting Page
Troubleshooting for Preparing the Hair
Troubleshooting While Combing the Hair
 Purchase an appropriate comb if you are lacking the comb appropriate for your hair or
else you risk the pulling of hair
 Read pre-instructions carefully if you experience the pulling of hair
 Remove the comb slowly and refer to pre-instructions if you experience your hair pulling
by the comb
Troubleshooting While Using Materials
 Purchase hair conditioner appropriate for your hair
 Avoid using hair ties that have exposed elastic, as these hair ties pull hair
 Purchase hair ties if you lack them to keep braids together
 Remove the hair tie slowly when inappropriate hair ties pull hair
Troubleshooting While Using Materials
 Utilize hair spray in a well-ventilated area if conditioner is not available to use
 Stop using the hairspray and go into a well-ventilated area if you start to feel lightheaded
 Avoid using hair spray near flames
 Call 911 in case of fire
 Avoid spraying spray on face
Flush area with water for 15 minutes if you spray hairspray on face
 Avoid contact of conditioner with eyes
 Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes in case of contact with eyes
Troubleshooting for Instructions
Troubleshooting While Braiding the Three Strand Braid
 Restart the braid if at any time you let go of a strand of hair
 Refer to the previous step if at any time you get lost
 Restart the braid if the braid seems too loose
 Avoid gripping the hair too tightly
Troubleshooting While Braiding the Fishtail Braid
 Restart the braid if at any time you let go of a strand of hair
 Refer to the previous step if at any time you get lost
 Avoid gripping hair too tightly
Troubleshooting While Braiding the Twist Braid
 Restart the braid if at any time you let go of a strand of hair
 Refer to the previous step if at any time you get lost
 Twist the hair by pinching the ends of the hair if you are unable to twist the hair around
your finger
 Avoid gripping hair too tightly if the person getting their hair braided experiences pain