The New Braiding Handbook: 60 Modern Twists on the Classic Hairstyle Review

Admit it. We all have tried braiding our hair at least once in our life. And we loved it!

Back then, I used to sit around with my gals after class or during summer braiding each other’s hair and I always had fun. After braiding we usually popped on scarves and capes and hand-made tiaras and pretended we were princesses and fairies. There’s just something about braided hair that exudes elegance and grace.

Up until today I still braid my hair once in a while. I like it that braided hair fits the most casual to the most formal occasion. You can literally just wear braided hair anywhere! So when I got the chance to make a review for The New Braiding Handbook: 60 Modern Twists on the Classic Hairstyle, I immediately said yes!

The New Braiding Handbook: 60 Modern Twists on the Classic Hairstyle is a 135-pages handbook that showcases an impressive array of easy-to-recreate and beautiful modern braids for all occasions. It is written by Abby Smith sharing her experience of spending hours and hours in front of her bathroom mirror trying to figure out how to do basic braids and eventually experimenting on the not-so-basic braids.

The book contains step-by-step photos and detailed instructions for recreating the different kinds of braids, knots, twists and plaits. I found the instructions simple, straightforward and very easy to follow. The photos are of women doing the braiding themselves so the braids showcased in the book are pretty much do-it-yourself hairstyles.  You can practice the hairstyling by yourself just by following what the women in the photos are doing. Aside from all the braiding, the book also includes valuable hair care and hair styling tips. It is absolutely fabulous!

I was really mesmerized by what I saw when I first opened the book. The book contained pictures of braids which you would only expect to be done by professional hairstylists. At first you get intimidated by the hairstyling process but, as Abby Smith said, “This book is proof that if I could do it, so can you. I believe that styling hair isn’t a talent. It’s a skill.”

I totally agree with Abby. Kids don’t learn how to tie their shoes overnight. Learning is a process and it takes practice to master a new skill – lots and lots of practice. So don’t expect to become a professional hair braider just by buying this book. Perfecting the different kinds of knots, twists and plaits takes a lot of practice and getting used to. I suggest you master at least one braiding style first and then move to the next until you can do all of the style.

Right now I am enjoying trying out the simpler braids on my daughter’s hair. She loves it that she gets to have a new do every morning. This book is truly a valuable treasure. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to learn how to do chic and elegant hairdos.