FAQ for my LIVE, VIRTUAL, Braid and Twist lessons!

Welcome to the FAQ / Q and A of Learn to Braid and Twist with Chrishinda!

You may have some questions about the braid and twist lessons, so I came up with a few questions you may have, along with their answers. 

Wait, what braid and twist lessons are you talking about?

I offer LIVE, virtual, one-on-one braid and twist lessons via Zoom video chat. I will teach you to either braid (plait/singles) or twist.

I teach 3 methods of plait braids, both overhand and underhand… and 2 methods of twisting, regular two-strand twists or rope/senegalese twists.

I teach the braiding and twisting options that are loose (singles), that are not braided to the scalp (cornrows/French braids) or twisted to the scalp (flat twists).

•Braids (all plaits – loose/singles) – Overhand and 2 underhand options.
•Twists (loose/singles) – two-strand twists and senegalese twists

Will I learn how to French braid / cornrow?

No. The braids/twist options that I teach are all loose braids/twists (singles/plaits). I do not teach the cornrows/French braids or flat twists.

Will I learn how to do box braids or knotless braids?

NO. I teach the basics of braiding and twisting. My lessons are for single braids (plaits), both underhand and overhand, and two-strand twists or rope twists. Learning what I teach you will help with those skills as you’ll know how to braid, but my lessons will not teach how to start box braids with braiding hair or how to start knotless and add in braiding hair. The braiding lessons I teach are the foundation to box braids and knotless braids, but will not incorporate adding braiding hair.
-If you choose to learn either underhand method, you will pick up knotless braiding easily.

Are the lessons LIVE? 

Yes! They are live. They are NOT pre-recorded. We will both be visible on camera. Your lesson may be recorded.

Please come to your lesson fully prepared with tools and if you are practicing with a mannequin head, please have it detangled and ready to go.

Do I need to create an account on ZOOM for the meeting? How do I join the Zoom meeting?

No, you do not need to create an account to join a meeting, BUT please download the [ Zoom.us ] app.

•Joining a Zoom meeting without an account – https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0059553

•How to join a Zoom meeting
https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0060732

Do I have to turn my camera on?

Yes, this is a requirement so we are walking through the braid or twist together and I can visibly see if there is any part of the process that I need to correct or tweak.  You will need some way to prop your phone up or adjust your computer screen or phone so I am able to see as you are braiding or twisting. You can use a phone tripod or selfie stick that stands or lean your phone up against a stack of books, I just need to be able to see what you are doing.

How can I prop my phone up for my lesson?

• You can stack a few books and lean your phone up against the books
• Purchase a phone tripod or selfie stick that stands up (which will come in handy for more than just the lesson). If you go with a phone tripod or selfie stick from Amazon, you can change the filters and set your price range. Search “phone tripod” and just below the search bar you will see a button that says “filters.” Turn “Prime” on and then slide the price range or type it in and then press the blue button at the bottom right that says “show _________ results.” This is one tripod option.

How long are the sessions?

•Braid lessons (plait / 3 strand braid / singles) are 45 minutes.
•Twist lessons are 40 minutes.
*Times are subject to change as I see my students needs*

*If we don’t use the full time slot allotted for your lesson, the price remains the same. Sessions will also NOT be pro-rated because full session time was not used.

-If it only takes you 10-15 minutes to learn the braid or twist, we can use the rest of the time to practice and you may ask any questions related to your braid or twist lesson or if you feel like you got it, you can choose to end the call.

How much are the sessions?

See this link for each session type I offer and your investment

These are lifelong skills that you should definitely learn if you want to be able to do your own hair or someone else’s. 

Do I need a mannequin head?

A mannequin head would be beneficial to get a real-life feel for having to smooth and manipulate the hair as you braid or twist, BUT you do not NEED a mannequin head. If you have someone available whose head you can practice braiding or twisting on, that would be great. You can also purchase a pack of Kanekalon braiding hair (read ahead if you will be using braiding hair to practice with during your lesson).

If you do not want to purchase a mannequin head b/c you know you won’t use it again, then no. Read ahead for alternatives to a mannequin head.

How do I assemble the table clamp that came with my mannequin head?

What can I use in place of a mannequin head?

1. Please purchase a pack of KANEKALON braiding hair for $1-$9 OR a pack of curly crochet hair, like water wave, spring twist hair, or a texture of loose curl hair of your choice that replicates the texture of hair you will be working with or would like to work with.

Search “BEAUTY SUPPLY” stores near you on your maps app and ask the employees for help locating the braiding hair or texture of your choice. 

2. You could use another person who is willing to let you practice on their hair for the duration of the lesson. A sibling, cousin, parent, friend, etc…

How would I secure the braiding hair to practice with it? 

*You’ll need something very sturdy that won’t move and that’s not too thick to loop the hair around to practice braiding or twisting.

• If I look around my house for what I could secure the hair to, there are a few options: the arm of a chair, the poles of step ladder, a basket with handles – something like a laundry basket or one where you put odds and ends ( you’ll have to fill the basket with heavy items so it doesn’t move), the poles of my 10 drawer cart (placed against a wall, with your feet holding it in place so it doesn’t roll), I have a standing shoe rack with poles I could use, the legs of a chair, the legs of a sitting bench, a doorknob, your vacuum handle or dust canister, poles on my ironing board, tv stand wheels, fabric cube basket handle, basketball rack, or even the handles of your fridge. We are creative people!

• If you are taking a lesson where you’ll be learning to braid or twist your own hair, but you don’t want to mess with your hair or you have a protective style in, you can still practice with braiding hair. You will need braiding hair and a fabric headband that is a complete circle. You will attach the braiding hair to the headband and then place it on your head OR put the headband on first and then loop the braiding hair onto the headband and you’re ready to go.

Check out the video below that I made showing you different places or options you can use.

Can I still take a “self” braiding/twisting lesson if I have a protective style or don’t want to manipulate my own hair?

Yes!! You can still take a lesson if you are wearing a protective style!

If you are taking a lesson where you’ll be learning to braid or twist your own hair, but you don’t want to mess with your real hair or you have a protective style in, you can still practice using braiding hair or even a wig that is detangled.

–You will need braiding hair and a fabric headband that is a complete circle or a scarf. You will attach the braiding hair to the headband and then place it on your head OR put the headband on first and then loop the braiding hair onto the headband and you’re ready to go.

– If you’d like to practice with a wig, 2 synthetic wig options with blowout texture are Outre Annie 1/2 wig or Sensational Curls, Kinks and Co Alpha Woman 1/2 wig.

Do I need to wash and detangle my mannequin head before the lesson?

YES, YES, YES!! You absolutely DO.
Please wash and detangle your mannequin head before your lesson, as the allotted time for your lesson does not permit time for detangling.

Quick note: I purchased an afro mannequin head and it came matted and tangled. It will probably take you 30-45 mins to wash and put conditioner in it in order to detangle the hair. Detangle the hair little by little. You can use a comb and/or a brush (something like a Denman brush). Make sure the hair is wet and has plenty of conditioner…section a small chunk of hair and start combing or brushing from the ends up to the roots.

What supplies do I need for the lesson?

-Your mannequin head, another person to practice on, yourself, or braiding hair.

-Combs (2) – Only if you are using a human model or a mannequin head
•Rat tail comb – an all plastic one or one with the silver tail – helps with smoothing (only this comb if you are using a mannequin)
•One with teeth further apart for detangling (but not as wide as a detangling comb/shower comb)

-Spray bottle with water – Optional if you are using braiding hair- just helps with better grip. Optional if you are using a mannequin head or model; depends on if you want to practice on damp/wet hair, but DOES help with grip. If you don’t want to purchase a water spray bottle, you could just have a cup of water next to you and just dip your fingers in the water.

-Hair product of your choosing : hair cream or mousse, gel/wax stick. Optional. Only if you are using a human model or mannequin head.

-Some way to prop your phone up or adjust your computer screen so I am able to see as you are braiding or twisting. Leaned up agains books, basket, etc… or a phone tripod or selfie stick that stands.

Should I take these braid and twist lessons?

• My classes are for BEGINNERS, but if you already have some skills with hair, you are more than welcome!
• If you already know one method and want to learn another, yes, you are absolutely more than welcome!
• If you have been styling hair for years, but still need to learn one of the braid or twist options I teach, you are more than welcome!

Who can take these lessons?

Here are a few of the people who should book a live, one-on-one braid or twist lesson with me that are ages 7 and older. If you think your younger little girl (as young as 5) is ready and will follow directions, just email me ( LearnToBraidandTwist@gmail.com ) and we will see if that can be set up.

•• My lessons are geared towards women, girls, and dads••

•Women, girls, and dads struggling to learn to braid or twist
•Women, girls, and dads who want to improve their current skills
•Women, girls, and dads who have tried and tried and just don’t know what to do and tutorials aren’t helping
•Dads (single, married, co-parenting) who want to be able to style their daughters hair.
•Moms who need to know how to braid or twist their daughters hair.
•Parents (moms and dads) who have adopted children who may have a different hair texture than their own and need to be able to style their hair
•Foster parents (foster moms and foster dads) who want to take the best care of their children’s hair while in their care
•Kid GIRLS or teen GIRLS who want to be able to braid their siblings, parents, friends, or even their own hair
•LADY stylists who braid/twist one way but want to learn another method
•Girls and women who want to make a career or side hustle doing hair

Lessons may be recorded.

What ages can participate in this virtual hair lesson?

•GIRLS 7 and older wanting to learn to braid or twist can participate in the virtual one-on-one lessons as long as they are able to follow along.
•Minor GIRLS 7-17 MUST have an adult present for the ENTIRE duration of the virtual one-on-one lesson (less than 1 hour.)
•Of course adults too… ladies and dads!

Lessons may be recorded.

Refunds?

ALL SALES ARE FINAL. There are NO REFUNDS once you purchase your braid or twist lesson.
-You may reschedule your appointment if you reach out in a timely manner … needs to be at minimum, 3 hours before the lesson.
-Example: If your lesson is at 3pm on (Wednesday), you would need to reschedule by 12pm (noon) on that same day (Wednesday)… Preferably sooner as the sooner the better.

–Email reminders will be sent out for your appointment, so please use an email you check daily and get notifications for. If you miss your appointment and are a no call, no show (no communication via email or DM), there are NO REFUNDS!

Can’t I just watch a video and learn?

You absolutely can, but some people prefer a one-on-one teaching experience.

•My lessons will teach you in less than 1 hour without the need to go searching online for the “perfect” tutorial, that leaves you just as confused as before you watched it.

How far in advance can I book my lesson?

Currently, you can book up to 10 days in advance. This is subject to change.

If you have any other questions that are not answered here or you need further clarification on anything, please email me at LearnToBraidAndTwist@gmail.com

Thank you for choosing to invest in Learn to Braid and Twist with Chrishinda!

[ https://learntobraidandtwist.as.me ]

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