Braids are a clean, low-maintenance look for black men that allows the scalp to breathe during the humid summer months and is suitable for any occasion. As with any hairstyle it is important to have the right tools. Hair is easier to work with when it is free of dirt and product build-up. According to Michele N-K Collisson, author of "It's All Good Hair," your hair needs to be at least 3 inches long in order to make proper braids.
Comb the hair with a wide-toothed comb to remove tangles, starting at the ends and working your way to the roots, according to Collison. Wet the hair in the shower using warm water, and massage a quarter-size of shampoo through the hair. Rinse the shampoo out, and massage a quarter-size of conditioner into the hair.
Comb the conditioner through the hair with a wide-toothed comb, and allow the conditioner to sit in the hair for five minutes. According to Collison, hair that is well-conditioned is easier to style. Blot the hair with a dry towel to remove excess water and part the hair into six sections with the rattail comb.
Grab two sections of hair that are equal in size at the hairline, and hold the hair between your thumb and index finger. Twist the right section of hair over the left section of hair to create an "X."
Continue creating the pattern three times, and grab an additional section of hair to the right of the braid. Place the new section to the left hand between your index finger and your thumb. Your middle finger will be holding the left section of hair.
Bring the hair in your right hand over to the section of hair in your middle finger, and grab both sections of the hair with your right hand. Cross both sections to create an "X" until you reach the bottom of the hair.
Spray the hair with a light hair oil to keep the style moisturized.