From a waterfall braid to a chain braid to a good ol’ French braid, Kayley Pak, braid specialist at the John Barrett Salon in New York City, helped us recreate 17 (YES, 17—WE ARE MANIACS) braids, step by step, to show you exactly how to master them all. Don’t worry, you’ve got this. Kathleen Kamphausen Brush your hair with a boar-bristle paddle brush until it’s smooth (or if you have curly hair, try gently finger-detangling to avoid destroying your curl pattern). Then, using a rat-tail comb or your fingers, section off the triangle of hair from your forehead to the crown of your head. Split the section into three pieces and three-strand braid them, making sure to incorporate more hair from each side of your head each time you cross the hair over. Continue braiding and feeding in sections until you reach the ends, then tie off with an elastic. Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Kathleen Kamphausen Chloe Metzger Senior Beauty Editor Chloe Metzger is the senior beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things hair, skin, makeup, and health for both print and digital (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics). Carly Cardellino Beauty Director Carly Cardellino is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan, writing about all things beauty for both print and digital.