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Fishtail Braid

Sharpen up your braiding skills by discovering how to do a fishtail braid. As one of the most impressive-looking braids, the fishtail plait is a must-know trick for hair styling Queens. Messy and tousled or neat and sleek, style it your way with our step-by-step guide.

For a braided look with an ethereal touch, the fishtail braid is the perfect style. It’s a go-to for Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively, who loves a messy fishtail plait, as well as actress and model Kate Bosworth who prefers to rock a tight braid.

The finished effect is more detailed and intricate than French or Dutch braids – but it’s easy to master once you’ve got the basics. You can then use the technique to create a number of luxe-looking new styles on both long and short-length hair, including festival fishtails.

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STEP-BY-STEPS

Here’s how to fishtail braid your hair

1. Prep your hair with total volume foam

2. Twist dry product into hair

3. Separate hair at crown before braiding

4. Divide crown section into two

5. Separate a small section from the left and
pass it over into the right

6. Separate a small section from the right and
pass it over into the left

7. Continue this technique down the hair

8. Secure with an elastic

9. Tease the braid with fingers to soften the look

10. Loosen a few sections around the face to frame

11. Mist your fishtail braid with hairspray

step one: Prep hair with ghd total volume foam

Use ghd total volume foam to add body to your hair, combing through with your fingers.

step two: Twist dry your hair

Twist sections of your hair then dry with the ghd air hair dryer to dry in product and create texture.

step three: Section your hair at the crown

Section your hair at the crown, this is where you will begin your braid.

step four: Divide crown section into two

Split the crown section in half with equally sized sections of hair on each side.

step five: Take a section of hair from the left and cross it over into the right

To create the first stitch of your fishtail braid, take a one-inch-wide piece from the left section of hair and cross it over on to the right side.

Tip: For a looser plait, don’t pull the hair too tightly.

step six: Take a section of hair from the right and cross it over into the left

Repeat on the other side, taking a section from the right and passing it over into the left. Try to incorporate a one-inch-sized section of hair every time.