Which class should you book? Our stages explained.

Students learning the fishtail

Our in-person and online classes are made up of different stages (From 1 to 3) taking you from the very basics through to slightly more advanced styles.

I get quite a lot of queries asking which course they’d be most suited to so here’s what each class entails.

All in-person classes are bookable here.

Or the exact same classes are available at the Braid Maidens Academy for £14.99 instead of £30.

Stage 1a - Braid Basics for Blokes/ All

Whether you’re coming to the one specifically for men or the class the general class (which is now mixing naturally), the syllabus is EXACTLY the same.

This class is for you if you have zero hair experience or want to improve on the minimal experience you have.

We really do start from the beginning and cover how to brush hair and do elastic bands (We have a great hack to get you more confident with that).

You’ll learn ponytails, easy buns, a regular plait and 2 cool looks to do with it.

We finish with a cheat braid that offers a lot of bang for its buck. (Plus it’s the most Elsa-ish look and no braiding required!)

We do cover a LOT in 2 hours, but you’ll certainly go from zero to hair hero and have a great repertoire of looks and techniques up your sleeve, including lots of mini tips and hacks as we go.

Stage 1b - 5 Easy Looks for 5 School Days (plus something for the weekend!)

This is our brand new class for Autumn 2023 and has been very well received in-person and online.

In 2 hours we actually cover 6 fun and creative looks that use regular plaits, high ponytails and bunches and a few other simple techniques to make school hair less yawn and more WOW!

We also finish with a simple party look that you can whip up at the weekend - a must have for any early years children who have better social lives than their parents.

Please not that this class is not for total beginners. You need to be confident at brushing, ponies and regular plaits as we hit the ground running and can’t go over that in the class. Check out Braid Basics, above, if you need help getting started.

To see the looks we’ll do, take a look at this reel on Instagram.

Stage 2 - French Plaits and Dutch Braids

Exactly what it says on the tin.

In this class we start with the French plait and will work on the classic problems such as tension and bagging, as well as getting nice even sections or ’stripes’.

We’ll then move on to the Dutch braid. It’s actually very similar to the French apart from just ONE thing.

It’s more of a re-wire and a tweak than learning an entirely new technique but I’m on hand with a useful mantra that you can say to yourself, whilst plaiting, to keep you on track.

This class is for you if you can already do a normal 3 strand plait and are used to doing every styles and want to get these classics in your repertoire.

I have had complete beginners learn both French and Dutch in their first lesson and it’s totally possible.

But, like anything, it’s down to confidence and then practice!

At the Braid Maidens Academy, as well as the French and Dutch, you get a bonus half-up French Plait look AND the Dutch Braid 2 ways, normal and pancaked i.e. chunky.

Again for half the price of the in-person class.

Stage 2b - Dutch Braid Yourself

New Class!

If you want to learn how to apply the Dutch Braid technique to yourself, this is THE class for you!

We start with a Dutch Braid refresher on the mannequins (If you are brand NEW to Dutch Braids, we suggest coming to Stage 2 - Dutch Braids and French Plaits first) before moving on to learning the technique on yourself in front of mirrors with products.

We work with you individually to find the right products for your hair type and to get you started on your self-braiding jouney. It’s a LOT of fun.

Stage 3 - Crown and Waterfall Braids with added Fishtail and Up-Do

Crowns and Waterfalls are probably 2 of my absolute favourite braids to do and look at. They’re just so satisfying and always get loads of compliments. They’re perfect for parties and weddings. Just gorgeous!

Both styles use the Dutch Braid so you do need to know how to do that confidently before you come.

So either having been to stage 2 with me, or knowing it already.

We hit the ground running, so unfortunately we don’t have time to teach that at the start of the class.

We have also added the stunning Fishtail braid and a Game of Thrones style look to do with it to this class. It used to be part of braid basics but it didn’t quite fit there, so we’ve added it here so it gets the full time it deserves to learn the technique and a lovely way to style it.

Again, these are ALL available online too.

So if you’ve mastered the Dutch, you could learn these from the comfort of your own home.

Hope to teach you/ braid you soon,

Annis x

PS Remember to join our Early Bird Mailing List to hear about classes and our latest news first.

A student finishing her French Plait.