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
Credits // Author: Katie Shelton. Photography: Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with Petal and Celeste from the Fresh Collection.
44 Comments
Aah she really does have lovely hair, I’ve just chopped most of my hair off, but I wish I hadn’t now 🙁
Although these waterfall braids have been scaring me for a while too, they always look so tricky, but this does make it seem slightly easier 🙂
Oh, if only I had long hair. Not sure this would work so well on my chin-length bob cut.
This is a super cute hair-do! Too bad I’m not too good in such things :/
Lisa – AT LEAST BLOG
Ahhh, now I’m missing my long hair. This is so pretty! Question though; when I was able to do stuff like this, my hair would usually fall down. For instance, I think the upper braid would have fallen and gotten looser, even if my hair wasn’t too slick. Did you use hairspray?
I couldn’t find where to email you ABM – but I wanted to let you know that I clicked through to the original “waterfall (or cascade) braid” post, and from there I went to open Sarah’s site (The Sweetestnest) – but it seemed (according to the title on the tab) to open a NSFW site. I don’t know why, b/c when you hover over the link, it displays her URL. I just wanted to make you aware! Feel free to delete this comment.
Where is Sarah’s shirt from?? I love it!
Beautiful hair and beautiful kimono! Do you know where she got it?
Oh, ABM, I love you guys. I get so excited every time there’s a hair tutorial, because they’re sooo pretty, all of them, but I’ve never been able to pull off a single one that’s ever been posted, and lordy I’ve tried. I’ve been trying this one awhile now in the mirror, and I do lots of braids and stuff, too, not like I’m not used to it. I really do love you, only say this because I feel you’re an organization that appreciates constructive criticisms, but I really really wish you did videos when it comes to hair tutorials. It seems like it does not work like this, and I’ve always thought so. Especially since you’re getting into videos more, but it simply doesn’t work like this, its sooo confusing to try to read a description of how this and things like this are done. I always try older tutorials too and wish you’d go back to do them all as videos, I want to learn them so bad! Maybe I’m the only lame-o that has a hard time with descriptive text hair tutorials though, in which case, ignore me. The pictures are inspiring, I’ll keep at it! Thanks, girls?
Such a gorgeous hairstyle. I’m currently trying to master the fish braid but once I have it I’ll definitely give the waterfall a whirl. Thanks for the tutorial!
http://xfallenmoon.blogspot.com
her hair is perfect! love this style!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
Very pretty! Do you know where Sarah got her kimono? It’s beautiful!
So beautiful hairstyle!
Fashion latte with vanilla
I think that is super cute but I always feel like my hair is too thin for these 🙁
Love this hairstyle..and it suits her hair very well… i am gonna try this once i grow out my hair.. 🙂
xo, Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
I just want this hair stylist but for you is shure better!
Your post is so valuable and detailed… I wish you are the model for my jewelry…!
Gorgeous braid. Mind if we share?
http://www.barbizon.tv
Gorgeous! And I love the kimono- where’s it from?
http://nolongergrey.wordpress.com/
That is truly beautiful. I love waterfall braids but my hair is so dark I feel like they just look ridiculous and lost!
So pretty !
Very pretty and lovely hair! My hair is too short to do this 🙁 …
http://porlasramasblog.blogspot.com
Loved this! I made my own rendition today I’d love to share a picture I took if I can. Thanks for making your blog one of my favorites to check daily. Keep on creating!
Awe, this is beautiful! my daughetr wants to become a hairstylist. I’m going to have her try this on me 🙂
Love and Luck,
Laurali Star
http://www.thesecretsurprisinista.com
I love this…too bad I’m horrible with hair! If I try really hard I might be able to get some mediocre version of it though.
I wore this hairstyle today and my little sister (Who’s a total tomboy) actually complemented me! It’s officially my new favourite 😉
http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/
Love this hairstyle. Will definitely give it a try.
By the way, if you’re interested in printing Instagram photos check this out: http://www.printicular.com
Her Kimono is from Forever 21 – but a few seasons ago so I doubt they still have it 🙁
it’s cute,but i don’t think i can do it by myself~
Looks so beautiful! Lovin the waterfall bread!
Carpet Cleaning Chelsea
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
This is so pretty and wearable, thanks for the step-by-step!
Sophie
http://what-sophie-said.blogspot.co.uk/
xxx
so beautiful…
Beautiful hair, I would love to be able to do this with mine!
Ella | http://www.towanderandtoroam.blogspot.com
so pretty!!
http://www.lesley-kim.com
I need to know where her kimono is from! Please let us know if you can. Thanks!
very beautiful, good model and hairstyle !
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
This is so cutee!! I wish my hair were long enough to do it!
http://www.glaamgypsy.bigcartel.com
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.
beautifully styled, it looks so simple yet elegant. I will have to try this out soon! great post x
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
Thanks for this great post. Today I actually managed to do my first waterfall twist! Thanks do you!
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/
yeah,i ust wanna say i like this hairstyle,it is so beautiful!!and our carbide rings are very fashionable,you must like!!Take time to read http://jewelrylookbook.wordpress.com/2014/06/05/ladies-look-6colorful-summervest-and-short-skirt/
That’s so beautiful! Thank you so much I love looking at all the new hairstyles you post!