SUMMER WEEK! Easiest Fishtail Braid Tutorial

I think this is one of the most-requested tutorials I get asked to do. Believe it or not, it was something I didn't know how to do until last year. The tutorials I read just didn't make sense and I knew there had to be an easier way to do it. So I thought about it, pictured the process in my mind, and this is what I came up with. It's a great basic hairstyle, perfect for summer, on greasy hair days, and I'll be using it on future tutorials. Now repeat these two words: outside in. Those are the only two words you'll need to do a fishtail braid. Read on:

T O O L S:

• mirror
• hair elastic
• Optional: bobby pins, dry shampoo, hairspray

M E T H O D:

• Stand in front of the mirror. Smile, because this is an easy tutorial.
• Pull hair to one side. It doesn't matter which one--just pick a side. I do this for 2 reasons: 1--you can see what you're doing 2--it's the easiest way to fishtail/herringbone braid.

• Divide hair in half. I call these two sections of hair Left and Right (as facing you). Creative!
• Decide which piece you're braiding with first. I chose the left section.
• Repeat the words I mentioned earlier: outside in. Get familiar with the pic below:

• Take a small section of hair from outside of the left section. The size of the small section doesn't matter. It can be whatever size you like, but keep the size consistent.

• Take this section and cross over to the inside of the right section. 

• Now, take a small section from the outside of the right section.
• Cross it over to the inside of the left section.

totally not flippin' the bird here!

• Repeat outside in, outside in (I even say it to myself sometimes when braiding) until you're finished. Here's what it looks like after braiding a few pieces:

• Secure hair with an elastic & spray with hair spray if needed! That's it. You did it!

T I P S:

• Keep the size of the pieces you braid with consistent, otherwise it will bunch up in the small sections. Smaller pieces take longer to braid but will provide a tighter braid.
• You can either keep the braid taut or loose. I like to keep mine taut, pulling both halves out after each piece goes to the inside, and then let it loosen naturally. Once you've braided your hair, pull the braid gently out if you like, as I did below:

• Is your hair layered and pieces are coming out of the braid? No problem. Grab some bobby pins, spray with dry shampoo for extra hold, and then pin your stray pieces back into place.

• Try my braided headband tutorial with a fishtail braid instead!

HAPPY SUMMER!

Tweet or Instagram (ellesees) me pics of your fishtail braids!