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Are you a longtime admirer of the fishtail braid that’s never actually tried the look? We get it. With its elaborate weave and rich texture, you might think this braid style is best left to the pros.
It may look intimidating, but we’re here to tell you it’s really not. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll be showing you exactly how to do a fishtail hair braid all by yourself. Trust us – it’s easier than it looks!
What Is A Fishtail Hair Braid?
While most braids are formed with thick, interwoven sections of hair, a fishtail style is defined by narrow, overlapping strands of hair. It has a fine weave that highlights individual strands, creating a distinctive line throughout the center of the braid.
The result looks somewhat like overlapping fish scales, hence the name.
How To Fishtail Braid: A Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Start With Dry Hair
Fishtail braids look best on hair that isn’t fresh from the shower. It works especially well on wavy hair, but anyone can enjoy this beautiful hair style.
Step 2: Brush Hair Over To One Side
It’s easiest to create the look on one side – this also gives the braid a bohemian flair.
Pro tip: Secure your hair by tying it into a side ponytail. This will be especially beneficial for anyone doing a fishtail braid for the first time, since it will help hold your locks in place as you begin to braid.
Step 3: Split Hair Into Two Sections
Now that your hair is prepped, you can start the braiding process. You’ll want to split your hair into two equal sections for a fishtail braid, rather than the three of a conventional braid.
Step 4: Begin To ‘Fishtail’
Create the signature fishtail look by crossing small pieces of hair over the center of your braid. You’ll want to take a small piece from the outside of one section, then gently pull it towards the inside of the other section. The goal is to have each piece fall into the center of your two sections of hair.
Pro tip: The smaller your sections are, the more intricate your weave will look. For a looser, more bohemian feel, work with larger sections of hair.
Step 5: Continue Your Weave
Work your way down the length of your hair until you’ve created a full fishtail.
Step 6: Refine – But Embrace Imperfection
Before you finish up, add some extra texture to your braid by combing over it with a fine-tooth comb or gently brushing over it with a boar bristle brush. Don’t worry too much about loose strands or imperfections – fishtail braids tend to have a bit more texture than regular braids.
Step 7: Secure The Braid
Now that you’ve completed your braid, secure all your hard work with a hair tie. Fishtail braids tend to look best with small and discreet ties, but you’re welcome to experiment with other styles.
Step 8: Add Any Finishing Touches
If you want your braid to have a more relaxed feel, you can gently tug at your strands to loosen up the weave. If you’re happy with how it looks, finish up by holding the braid in place with some hairspray.
And voila! You’ve got yourself a fishtail braid.
Other Ways To Wear a Fishtail Hair Braid
A fishtail side braid is an easy way to learn the ropes of this hairstyle, as you’ll be able to easily see what you’re doing. Once you’ve mastered the weave, you can begin to experiment with other fishtail braid styles:
- A classic fishtail braid. Move your braid from the side of your head to the back for a more classic style. You may need some help with this if you struggle to create even braids at the back of your head.
- Double fishtail braids. Why stop at just one? If you’ve mastered a single braid, you’ll definitely be able to double up.
- Half-up fishtail braid. This romantic look lets you enjoy the best of both worlds. Leave half of your hair down, and create a fishtail braid to sit on top of your flowing locks. You can also create this look with two fishtail braids that join at the back of your head.
- Fishtail bun. Create a fishtail weave with the hair on your scalp, and finish off with your favorite bun style.
- French fishtail braid. This style is more challenging as it starts along the scalp and continues throughout the length of your hair, but it’s well worth the effort.
- Dutch fishtail braid. A Dutch-style braid is similar to French in that it runs along the entire length of your hair (from scalp to tip), but has a thicker raised texture.
Conclusion – How To Do A Fishtail Hair Braid
Fishtail braids are one of those hairstyles that look more complicated than they actually are. We hope this guide will help you nail the technique so you can create a gorgeous fishtail braid whenever you like!
