How To Install 3-Way Braided Extensions
The instructions below explain how to do standard 3-way braided hair extensions. 3-way braids can also be used to install single-ended dreads and double-ended dreads.

What You will Need
- Jumbo braid
- A braid sealer, a lighter, or rubber bands
- Mirrors (so you can see what you're doing!)

Diagram
Before you start, take a look at the diagram below. It shows all of the steps of a 3-way braid, and its helpful to have a look at what you'll be doing before reading the written instructions. for some people, the diagram will be enough explanation in itself :)

Instructions
1. Separate off a section of your real hair as the base of the braid. Then take a section of synthetic hair that is about the same width as the piece of your real hair. Your real hair will be one strand of the braid, while the synthetic hair will form the other two strands.

The RED piece of hair is your real hair in this example. The PURPLE and PINK pieces are the piece of synthetic hair. Normally, they would be the same color, but we've used to in order to make the pictures a little clearer.

2. Place the synthetic hair underneath the section of your real hair. Cross one piece of the synthetic hair over the real hair.

Cross one piece, in this case the PURPLE strand, over your real hair (RED).

3. Cross the other piece of synthetic hair over the first piece. The other piece of synthetic hair will now be in between the first piece and your real hair.

Crossing the second PINK piece over the PURPLE.

4. Now cross your real hair over the synthetic hair -- you're beginning your 3 way braid now.

Crossing the RED real hair over the PINK synthetic hair.

5. Continue braiding until you get close to the end of your real hair. Split a small piece out of each section of synthetic hair and add it to the section of your real hair. Continue to braid; when your real hair runs out, the new bits of synthetic will make up for it.

Continuing the braid with the original PURPLE strand.

6. When you reach the end of the hair (or when you get to the length you want), finish the end of the braid with a rubber band, braid sealer, or by melting it with a lighter and rolling the end between your fingertips.

7. Continue throughout your whole head. Make sure to stagger your sections of hair (like a brick wall) to ensure that there aren't any gaps showing between your braids.

A finished 3-way braid.