by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: April 08, 2010

Braid Wave Hairstyling Secrets

Do-it-yourself braid waves are a simple means of creating a salon-like perm hairstyle without the salon prices. What’s more, homemade braid waves are temporary, lasting only until the next shampoo.

You can create your own hairstyle with braid waves.

Braid waves are easy to do. In fact, many young people experiment with braid wave hairstyling at preteen slumber parties and overnight camps. It’s difficult to make a mistake when creating braid waves.

You might decide to make your own braid waves, or you might enlist a friend or family member to do your braiding.

Gather your hairstyling supplies for making your braid waves.

To make braid waves, you will need a sturdy hair comb, a couple of large hair gripper jaw clips, a small pair of scissors and several small hair rubber bands.

Tiny braiding bands are available at beauty supply shops and big-box discount stores. Saddle and tack shops offer plastic pouches filled with braiding bands for horse’s manes, and these are ideal for braiding human hair as well. For finer hair (or the tightest braid waves), orthodontic rubber bands may be most suitable. Braiding rubber bands need not be coated, as they will be snipped off after each use.

Braid waving may also require a spray bottle filled with water.

Follow these simple directions for making your own hair braid waves.

To begin making braid waves, you will need to start with damp hair. Ideally, the hair will be shampooed and lightly conditioned before braid wave creation begins. For fine or extra-smooth hair, you might add a bit of styling gel or mousse to help make braid waves last longer.

Start by separating a small section of hair, using a comb. Remember, thinner braids will create tighter hair waves, while chunkier braids will make looser waves. The main point is to make all of the hair braids about the same weight and thickness.

Use a couple of large hair gripper jaw clips to hold the rest of the hair out of the way, while you create your braid waves.

Hold the small section of hair you have separated. Mist this hair with water, if it is no longer damp. Separate this hair section into three fairly even strands for braiding.

To make the most natural-looking hair braid waves, begin braiding tightly at the crown. (Braids should start as close to hair roots as possible, so the resulting hair waves do not look like outgrown perming – flat on the top of the head and wavy underneath.)

To braid three strands of hair,

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