Knowing how to do a basic English braid is the first step in learning how to do any other kind of braid. For hair styles, it is classic and timeless and can be either casual or elegant. An English braid works best on hair that is medium to long in length. Here are the steps you need to follow to braid an English braid.

Brush your hair back toward the nape of the neck.

Divide the hair you want to braid into three equal segments.

Take the segment on the right and cross it over the center segment of hair. The right segment will now be the new center.

Take the left segment of hair and cross it over the new center segment of hair. Now the left segment is the new center segment. The segment that was originally the right segment is now the left.

Tighten your braid as desired.

Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 until you reach the end of the hair.

Secure the end with a hair tie.

Spray the hair lightly with hair spray to help secure the look, if desired.