Most girls learn how to braid hair when they are still relatively young, and they carry the knowledge throughout their lives. Yet, there always comes the time when you decide to chop your tresses off, and there is nothing wrong with it. The only downside is the fact that you may not be fully aware of how long does hair have to be to braid after you cut it. Surely, you wouldn’t want to sport inappropriately short braids, and this detailed guide will help you find the right direction!
How Long Does Hair Have to Be to Braid?
Is my hair long enough to braid? That is an intricate question with multiple answers to it, and the better you are familiar with most of them, the easier it will be to make the right decision. When it comes to minimum hair length for braids, the experts say you can start with as much as a 2-inch length.
Those of you who wonder how long does your hair have to be for cornrows or what is a good length for box braids – 2-inch length is your starting point. However, you need to realize that only a professional can manage the length, and if you aren’t skilled with dealing with such short hair, you may find it distressful and uneasy.
After you get to the point of 3 inches, the task will get a lot easier, and you will have more opportunities to pursue. And if you wonder how long does hair have to be to French braid, you should wait until your locks reach the 5-8-inch length.
What Hair Type Is Best For Braiding?
When you are familiar with the braided hair length chart, another question hits the surface – what types of hair is the best for braided hairstyles? There is no one-for-all answer, but some styles look better on one type rather than on the other.
- Curly locks – curly hair is often pointed as one of the best types to work with. It can add the necessary volume and definition to your braids. Messy braids are the best variation to pursue with a mane like that.
- Coily tresses – this type of hair is known to be perfectly fit for braiding, but no messy braids here. Aside from the exception – the sky is the limit. Yet, you should consider adding some products before you start the process.
- Wavy strands – this type of hair is the easiest to work with and can be worked into literary anything, as long as you have enough skills to achieve a satisfactory result. Anything on the scale, from fishbone braids to fancy French ones, are on the table.
- Straight hair – polished and elegant braids are what this hair type is for. Yet, always add some more texture before starting the process so that the outlook does not look too flat and lifeless.
How Can You Braid Short Hair?
Is my hair too short for braids? It is not once you hit the point of 2 inches of length. This is precisely how short can your hair be to get braids. However, not all types of braids are available to work the length seamlessly. You should keep away from fishtails, zipper braids, and other complicated hairstyles. At the same time, you can start with the cornrows, French braids, box braids and two-twists. As your hair grows, and it does on a daily basis, you will be able to work with fancier styles. There is no doubt about it.
Things to Consider Before Braiding Hair
Aside from the length of hair for braids, there are a couple of things to keep in mind before you start the process.
- Neatness – if you aim at the neatest braids possible, you may want to wait until your hair grows longer since shorter braids are always a little messy. Also, the ends are sticking out at different angles and add that casual flair to the look, which may be frowned upon by the rules of the formal dress code.
- Wetness – some people claim that braiding wet locks is twice as easy, and that is true. But what also is true that’s the fact that your hair is three times as breakable in that state.
- Face shape – surely, braids are known to complement all face shapes, but those of you with square, oval, and diamond faces will benefit from the look most.
- Supplies – short tresses are challenging to manage, and you wouldn’t want to let the effort go in vain. Thus, it helps to ensure that all your supplies are gathered around you before you dive into the process.
- Pulling – while it may seem like a great idea to pull a little harder when fixing the braid, in the long run, you will end up damaging your tresses, and that is rarely a good idea.
- Trial mode – don’t be set upon the look until you try and figure out that you can manage it. In case you can’t, there is nothing to fuss about. It takes a little longer before you will be able to succeed with the task.
How long does hair have to be to braid? Finally, you have all the answers you have been seeking for a long time. As soon as you hit the 2-inch point, you can start your braiding journey! So, now it's time to learn how to braid your hair!
FAQ
What Braid is best for short hair?
With extra short braid hair length, the experts advise starting with cornrows, mini braids and French ones before moving on with something more intricate.
Does hair grow faster in braids?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no proven connection between tight braids and sped up hair growth. The only factor that predetermines your hair growth rate is genetics.
Is sleeping in braids good for your hair?
It has been proved that sleeping with your locks braided reduces the friction that the hair undergoes as you toss and turn around in sleep. So, it is good to sleep in your braids.
- What is a good length for box braids. Source
Was this article helpful?
