Hey, guys! It’s Katie here again! I’m a gal who has always loved fixing hair. When I was a kid, I could do any braid, twist, or knot that I laid eyes on. My dolls all had the best hair on the block, and when I got a little older, my friends would always beg me to do their hair.
I probably missed my calling as a hairstylist, honestly. Even with my love of braiding, I have to admit I’ve always had trouble with the waterfall (or cascade) braid. With so many pieces in the back of my head, it just beats me every time.
I had thrown in the towel and waved the white flag until I realized just because I couldn’t conquer the braid didn’t mean I couldn’t do the waterfall twist! So, here we go!
Step One: Gather a section of hair and divide it into two pieces. Twist the bottom piece over the top piece.
Step Two: After you have completed the twist, take a new section of hair from the top and lay it over the piece in your top hand (my left hand in the photo above).
Step Three: Okay, so let’s go really slow here. Do you see that piece coming from the top that we just added? We are going to simply lay or drape it and leave it there. So now you will cross the bottom piece from your original twist OVER the new draped addition piece (as well as your top piece), and we’re going to repeat.
Step Four: The goal of this hairstyle is to have pieces cascading down like, you guessed it, a waterfall. So let’s repeat what we just did. Take another new section of hair from the top of the head and drape it between your twist pieces. Now, cross the bottom piece over the draped piece (and the top piece) to twist again.
Step Five: We are repeating the same motion over and over until we reach the other side of the head. Continue your twisting and adding new pieces, keeping in mind that you will add another new section each time you twist.
Step Six: Once you reach your desired stopping point, clip the hair in place or finish it off with a simple braid or twist.
Now, if you are feeling really ambitious, let’s turn this into a double waterfall twist!
Step Seven: Gather another starting section, just as we did in the very first step, and do your first twist.
Step Eight: Instead of gathering a new section of hair from the top for the waterfall pieces, we are going to use the original waterfall pieces. Take the first waterfall section and lay it between your new twist pieces. Twist over.
Steps Nine & Ten: Continue around, using all the original waterfall pieces. Once you reach the other side, braid or twist the section from your first go-around and second go-around. It should look something like this:
See how the original cascade pieces are used in the second twist? You can do this style as tight or loose as you want. I love the soft look of using big pieces and making it a little loose, but using small sections pulled tight creates a neat look as well!
*Sigh* Doesn’t Sarah have the prettiest hair?
Anyway, who would have guessed leaving out one section of hair would make an impossible (for me) hairstyle totally doable? Now that I have the hang of the waterfall twist,
I think I’m going to have to give the waterfall braid another shot. It will definitely feel like a small victory once I can do that style on my own hair! xo. Katie
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Credits // Author: Katie Shelton. Photography: Sarah Rhodes.
That’s so beautiful! Thank you so much I love looking at all the new hairstyles you post!
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great blog, beautiful hair styles and something different you don’t see everywhere. I will def be trying some of theses out, although I am not sure my hair is long enough to get the same affect. check out my blog too http://www.tomyb.com/blog/
Thanks for this great post. Today I actually managed to do my first waterfall twist! Thanks do you!
What a beautiful hairstyle! Do you have some tips on how to do that to your own hair? I have a hard time getting the braiding on the back of my head to look neat.
http://www.damedestyle.com
beautifully styled, it looks so simple yet elegant. I will have to try this out soon! great post x
Can’t wait to try this on my daughters hair. She has been experimenting with all sorts of braids, especially styles from game of thrones.
This is so cutee!! I wish my hair were long enough to do it!
www.glaamgypsy.bigcartel.com
I love this! What a gorgeous hair style! I’m totally stumped when it comes to the waterfall braid as well, but this is super pretty and much more do-able!
xoxo
Taylor
very beautiful, good model and hairstyle !
I need to know where her kimono is from! Please let us know if you can. Thanks!
so pretty!!
www.lesley-kim.com
Beautiful hair, I would love to be able to do this with mine!
Ella | www.towanderandtoroam.blogspot.com
so beautiful…
This is so pretty and wearable, thanks for the step-by-step!
Sophie
http://what-sophie-said.blogspot.co.uk/
xxx
My fingers are too clumsy to do anything other than simple regular braid on my head. Your instructions seem quite easy to follow. I should try this on my niece’s hair next time she’s arround.
Thanks. Merry
Looks so beautiful! Lovin the waterfall bread!
Carpet Cleaning Chelsea
it’s cute,but i don’t think i can do it by myself~
Her Kimono is from Forever 21 – but a few seasons ago so I doubt they still have it 🙁
Love this hairstyle. Will definitely give it a try.
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