Day 102: fishtail braid

This is a very, very simple braid, but it is time consuming (I need about 15 minutes to make one braid and my hair is waist length) and I sometimes find it difficult to make it look neat. The fishtail braid is also known as herringbone braid. Anyway, the name is not that important, what is important is that it is a very beautiful braid and people literally stop me on the street (or wherever) to ask me how I made that braid. So, I guess it is a good conversation starter ).

It is not much to say about the instructions. I made a sketch. I hope it will come useful. Basically you have to divide the hair you are about to braid into two even sections, then take a small strand of hair from the outer side of one section and add it to the inner side of the other section. Then take a small strand of hair from the outer side of this section and add it to the inner side of the first section and so on. The braid looks more spectacular if the strands you pick from the outer sides of each section are very, very tiny, but that will increase the time needed for finishing the braid. If the strands are thicker you will end up with a regular looking braid, but you will finish the braid really fast. My advice for you is to just start braiding and practice will make it perfect. My other advice – and this applies to any type of braid you try for the first time – is to make two braids, one on each side, or one side braid so you can check yourself in the mirror to see what you are doing. And don’t forget, braids can be easily transformed into dramatic hair-do’s. You can find here some simple ideas if you need inspiration.

A! And one more thing – this is important! As you braid your hair, run your fingers through the hair from time to time, because it tends to get really tangled to the ends.