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how to do a fishtail braid

Here’s a simple, beginner‑friendly guide on how to do a fishtail braid , plus a few quick tips and “forum style” insights from what people say online about learning it.

Quick Scoop

A fishtail braid looks intricate but is actually just repeating one tiny move: taking a small piece from one side and crossing it over to the other.

What You’ll Need

  • Hairbrush or comb
  • 1–2 small elastics
  • Optional: hair spray or styling cream, a clip to help section

Basic Fishtail Braid: Step‑by‑Step

You can do this over your shoulder (easier if you’re a beginner) or down your back once you’re more comfortable.

  1. Prepare your hair
    • Start with dry, detangled hair. Slightly textured hair (a bit of wave or product) holds better than super‑slippery hair.
 * If you’re new to fishtails, gather your hair into a low ponytail with an elastic first to keep it controlled.
  1. Split into two sections
    • Divide the ponytail into two equal sections , left and right.
 * Hold one section in each hand.
  1. Start the fishtail pattern
    • From the outside of the right section , pick up a small strand of hair.
 * Cross that small strand **over the right section and into the left section** (so it joins the left side).
  1. Repeat on the other side
    • From the outside of the left section , pick up a small strand.
 * Cross it **over the left section and into the right section**.
  1. Continue the braid
    • Keep repeating: small piece from the outside of the right → cross over into left; small piece from the outside of the left → cross over into right.
 * Use **smaller strands** for a tight, detailed braid; **slightly bigger strands** for a faster, chunkier look.
  1. Adjust tension as you go
    • For a tight, sleek fishtail, keep your hands close to where you’re braiding and pull gently to tighten as you move down.
 * For a **looser, boho** look, keep a softer tension and don’t pull too tight.
  1. Secure the end
    • When you reach the desired length, hold both sections together and secure with an elastic.
 * If you started with a ponytail elastic at the top, you can carefully snip or slide that top elastic out to make the braid look more natural.
  1. “Pancake” the braid (optional but pretty)
    • Gently pinch and tug at the outer edges of the braid to make it look fuller and softer.
 * Mist with hairspray or add a little shine serum to tame frizz and make it look polished.

Mini Variations You Can Try

People online love remixing the basic fishtail into different styles.

  • Side fishtail braid (over one shoulder, romantic and easy to see while you work).
  • Messy fishtail (pancaked and pulled out for a lived‑in, TikTok‑style look).
  • Double fishtail pigtails (two braids, one each side).
  • Half‑up fishtail (top section braided, bottom left loose).
  • Fishtail ponytail (high or low ponytail, then fishtail the tail).

Forum‑Style Tips & Common Struggles

From comments and forum threads, a lot of people say fishtails look scary but click after a bit of muscle memory.

  • It’s easier than it looks once you realize it’s just two sections and tiny cross‑overs.
  • Beginners often grab sections that are too big , making it look like a regular braid; small, even pieces are key.
  • Braiding over your shoulder lets you actually see what you’re doing in the mirror, which helps a lot when learning.
  • People with layers or very fine hair sometimes get pieces sticking out; slightly messy texture actually works well with fishtails, and a bit of hairspray helps.
  • Many learners say they needed practice a few times before it looked like the photos, so don’t judge your first attempt too harshly.

A nice learning trick: do a tight, neat fishtail first to learn the pattern , then gently pull it apart after to get that fuller look.

Very Quick Recap (TL;DR)

  • Put hair in a ponytail, split into two sections.
  • Take a small piece from the outside of the right section , cross it over into the left.
  • Take a small piece from the outside of the left , cross it over into the right.
  • Repeat all the way down, secure the end, then tug gently on the sides to fluff it out.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.