“You need a good slick gel,” she adds, to provide hold and lay down flyaways.

“Essentially like a cornrow,” says Taylor, but you’re using two strands instead of three.

Braiding best practices.

Jamie Schneider

Here, you’ll find tips for both prep and aftercare:

The takeaway.

Read up on these tutorials, but the best way to learn is to attempt on your own hair.

As experts will tell you: Practice and patience are key.

three-strand braid

fishtail braid

box braids

two-strand twists

flat twists

french braid

dutch braid

cornrows