What is a common mistake to avoid when braiding hair?

A common mistake to avoid when braiding hair is overlooking the client's comfort or applying too much tension. This is crucial because braiding should not cause pain or discomfort, and excessive tension can lead to hair breakage, scalp pain, and even traction alopecia over time. It is important for braiders to be attentive to how their techniques affect the client's comfort level throughout the process. Ensuring that the braid is secure but not too tight is key to creating a style that is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for the client.

While the other options are also relevant to the quality of a braid, they do not directly impact the immediate experience of the client in the same way that comfort and tension do. For instance, using too little product may affect the braid's hold or finish, but it is the comfort and health of the client's hair that should be prioritized. Similarly, completing a braid in a timely manner is important for efficiency, and choosing the right type of braid for the hair type can affect the style's durability and appearance, but neither of these choices addresses the potential for discomfort and damage as directly as tension management does.