The two braids can stop at the nape and join into one, wrap around your head as a crown, or sit as pigtails straight down each side.
Your choice depends on whether you want a look that sits low on your head or starts high, and whether the braids stay separate or join.
French braid pigtails take about 10 minutes once you know the basic technique, while cornrows into two braids last several days but require tighter tension and smaller sections from the start.
1. French Braid Pigtails
Part your hair straight down the center, then braid each side from the hairline down, picking up new sections as you go and securing each at the ends with a hair tie or ribbon.
This is the classic version most people picture when they hear "two French braids," and once you can French braid at all, pigtails take about 10 minutes.
The braids sit symmetrical and flat against your scalp, which keeps them secure for sleep, workouts or a full day without needing to redo anything.
If your hair is shorter than shoulder length, the tails will sit higher and give you more of a playful look. Longer hair means the braids hang past your shoulders and read a little more polished.
Since you are making French braid pigtails, you should be braiding down each side of your head. The braids will sit just between the ears and the part.
— wikiHow
2. French Braid Crown
Start 2 French braids at each temple and braid them back along your hairline so they meet at the center back, then pin the ends under the opposite braid to form a circle around your head.
The crown sits flat and frames your face, leaving the rest of your hair down or in curls if you want volume below.
Your hair needs to reach the back of your head when braided, or you can use bobby pins to tuck shorter ends out of sight.
3. French Braids Into One Braid
Braid 2 French braids from the front of your head down to the nape, then gather both tails together and continue as a single 3-strand braid all the way down.
The join happens where the 2 braids meet, so you’ll have 2 separate tails coming together into 1 braid. Split them into 3 sections that feel even, then braid normally and secure the end with one elastic.
This gives you the coverage of 2 braids on top with the simplicity of 1 braid to manage once you’re past your shoulders, and it sits centered down your back instead of off to the sides.
4. French Braids with Wavy Tails
Braid 2 French braids from your crown down a few inches, stop partway and secure each with a clear elastic, then leave the rest loose in long waves.
The waves can be natural or curled with an iron beforehand. If your hair is straight, run a 1-inch barrel through the lengths before you start braiding so the tails already have the texture you want.
This keeps hair off your face while still showing off length, and the wavy tails add movement that a finished braid would hide.
5. Cornrows Into Two Braids
Start with tight cornrows along your scalp, then switch to regular 3-strand braids once you’ve used up all the hair along each parting and only the tail sections remain.
The cornrows sit flat and give you clean lines from the front, while the thicker braids below add weight and swing.
This version takes longer than French braids because cornrows require smaller sections and tighter tension, but the results last several days without slipping or frizzing out.
If you’re new to cornrowing, practice the underhand motion on a friend first so your own rows come out even.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a double French braid?
A double French braid is 2 French braids worked from your hairline down, one on each side of a center part.
Most people wear them as pigtails, starting near the hairline and braiding straight back to pick up all the hair along each side.
Do French braids protect your hair?
French braids keep hair contained and off your face, which cuts down on breakage from friction against clothing or pillows.
The tight sections along your scalp hold everything in place for days, so you’re not manipulating your hair as often. Cornrows held with regular braids below last even longer and stay smooth without frizzing out.
