With all the different types of hairstyles out in the world these days, various braids have become popular to both girls and boys in a variety of cultures. Cornrows for both male and females are an easy go-to look. Another style predominately for girls are French and Dutch Braids. All these styles are easy to do and ideal for active people who can be restrained by long flowy hair.

1. Achieving the Perfect Cornrows

Cornrows are an ancient African style where hair is braided tightly from the scalp. The hairstyle has evolved over the years from just an African style to a style for all races. This technique of braiding is done by using small sections of hair, after vertically parting the hair, then proceeding with a normal three-strand braid while grabbing strands in the section and braiding the loose strands under the initial braid. The hair is continuously added under from each side until there is no more hair left to add. The braid is finished by reverting back to a standard three-strand braid to seal the ends of the hair.

2. Achieving the perfect Dutch Braid

The next style similar to Cornrows are Dutch Braids. Dutch braids are a common style typically for girls, usually worn in two pigtails with a part in the center of the scalp. The Dutch Braid is also originally an African hairstyle that has become a style for all races. Doing a Dutch Braid uses the same technique as a Cornrow just with bigger sections. Starting with three strands at the centered part of the hair, a simple three-strand braid is started. Once the beginning of the braid is formed, small sections of hair are taken from each side and braided under the initial braid. The hair is continuously added under from each side until there is no more hair left to add. The style is completed by going back to a standard three-strand braid.

3. Achieving the perfect French Braid

French Braids are braided close to the scalp like Cornrows and Dutch Braids, but use a different technique. This technique is responsible for the slightly different appearance of the braid. This style is most commonly worn by girls in a single French Braid or two French Braids with a center part. Having the same roots as the Dutch Braid, French Braids originated in North Africa, but have progressed to a go-to hairstyle for all cultures. The technique for French Braids begin with a three-strand braid. After the start of the braid, unlike the other two styles, small sections of the loose strands are braided over the three-strand braids and added to the initial braid. This process is continued until there is no more hair left to add, and the braid goes back to a standard three-strand braid.