The Purple Guide to Learning Hair Braiding in 10 Days
A 10-day starter plan to learn the basics of braiding, find out if it's for you, and finish with a braid you can actually wear out the door
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
Ten days, zero fluff. A concrete starter plan for anyone curious about braiding but unsure where to start.
About this book
So you're curious about hair braiding. Maybe you've watched a few videos, maybe you've tried to braid a friend's hair and got tangled up, or maybe you just like the look and wonder if you could learn it yourself. This guide is for you, but it's not a "master braiding in a weekend" fantasy. It's a honest, hands-on 10-day plan designed for complete beginners who want to test the waters without buying a bunch of gear or committing to an expensive class right away. Each day gives you one concrete task to try with your own hair (or a friend's) and tells you what to expect, including the frustrating parts no one posts about online.
Reader Reviews
Betty Young
★★★★★I liked that this wasn't a 'master braiding in a weekend' lie. Day one was slow but doable, and the book is upfront that you'll be frustrated. It was nice to come away from the first day with a braid that, while lopsided, actually stayed. Would've given it five stars if day two had more visual examples, but overall solid.
Lisa Taylor
★★★★★I've been intimidated by braiding for years. The day one chapter felt like having a patient friend walk me through it. The reminder that tension is built through practice, not force, saved me from giving up early. The small win — just a single, imperfect braid — was enough to make me want to continue. A little dry in parts, but helpful.
Susan Thompson
★★★★★I've never braided anything in my life, and day one actually made sense. I didn't feel stupid for once. The instructions about splitting hair into three sections and what to do with my fingers were the first time I didn't have to rewind a video five times. I finished with a messy but real braid, and that felt awesome.
Daniel Williams
★★★★★As a guy who knows nothing about hair, I appreciated that this didn't assume I had any tools or a mannequin. Day one just used my own hair and a phone to take a progress picture. It was honest about what to expect — the awkwardness, the dropped sections — and still got me to a small win by the end. Good starting point.
Timothy Carter
★★★★★It's fine for what it is, but I already knew a bit about braiding from watching my mom. The first chapter was a bit too basic for me, though I did appreciate the tips on how to hold the hair closer to the scalp for more control. Might be a better fit for a true absolute beginner. I'll still probably continue to day ten to see what else is in there.
Kathleen Williams
★★★★★The day one instructions were clear, but I was hoping for more tips on how to keep my hands from cramping. The book says it's normal, but I still struggled. I did end the day with a braid, so I can't complain too much. It's a decent start for someone with zero experience.
Shirley Young
★★★★★I loved that the book didn't try to convince me to buy a mannequin head on day one. It used what I had — just a hair tie and some water. The end-of-day 'win' was just a braid I made on my own hair, but I actually did it. I'll be sticking with the plan; it's realistic and I appreciate that.