Oluwabimbola: Ghana braids

So I made a second attempt at ghana braids. I have posted a few pics of my first attempt. My second attempt is not perfect but I think it's quite some steps from the first attempt. I'm not quite there but I think I'm making good progress. :)

The very first time I was going to make ghana braids on my head by myself, I remember cutting the braiding hair in the living room and my when my flatmate asked, I told her what I intended doing. I remember she looked at me like I didn't know what I was saying or doing and I probably didn't but I was bored and needed some challenge to do. So at about 9pm that night, I went in on the hair and to my greatest surprise, the first one came out much better than I'd expected. So I went on and made the rest.

Making ghana braids myself was my first attempt at braiding my own hair with hair extensions and boy, was I happy with the results. It wasn't perfect but it made me realise I could do anything I set my mind to (with God of course). My first attempt took me about 6 hours +/- and I used about 2 - 2 1/2 packs of braiding hair (X-pression) which I cut in 3 equal portions.

My frist attempt: the braids were much bigger than my second attempt

My first attempt: All done :) *whew*

My second attempt took me about 6 hours and I made a little more than I did the first time. I just realized ghana braids is actually not as difficult as a lot of people paint it to be. But remember, practice does make perfect. I have made ghana braids for 2 people now and even though it wasn't extremely perfect, I'd say it was actually faster, smoother and easier than making it on my own head.

I keep learning though. :) ♥

I'll just try to explain the process. I took a few pics but they will probably not suffice as I had to make my own hair and take pics as well which was not exactly easy but let's see if words will explain better:

▪ I took out the front and middle portions of the single braids I had on and left the back. Then I washed, conditioned and all that good stuff. Then I sectioned out the portion I intended weaving and re-installed single braids to the remaining left out hair just to have the hair directly beneath the weaving look neat. :)

▪ I cut the braiding hair in 2 equal portions (yes, that long since the single braids I had in previously had the front and middle protions that long) :) and stretched it.

▪ I started off with my own hair as I felt it would be easier on my edges and would stop my braids from lifting at the top (I really hate when I have ghana braids with lifted tips).

▪ I braided down about 2 sets (1,2). Then I added the braiding hair when the hair was in my left hand, bending the strand in 2; then I took the strand on my right under the index finger of my left hand with my own hair and then taking the second part of the strand along with the hair on the laft part leaving the middle. Then continue with the '1,2 step' (that is, adding braiding hair then weaving '1,2' and then add another strand of brainding hair and conrinue that way)

▪ Dn't fret about leaving the middle without braiding hair cos as you go along, the three portions get passed along and will eventually get braiding hair attached to them.