The Ultimate Guide to Fishtail Braids
and 5 ways to style them!
The key to my heart: BRAIDS! Those of you who have been around here for a bit know my obsession with braids, and the fishtail is one of my favorites because of how incredibly detailed it is. It is also quite simple to create but looks complicated and intricate - which is a win in my book. It truly can dress up a hairstyle in 5 minutes or less, and that's only a piece of my love for fishtail braids!
The fishtail braid is a great way to spice up your hair. Whether you want something fun and funky or elegant and classy, this braid can do it all. It's perfect for both casual and formal occasions because it can be worn with a high ponytail, stand-alone braided down the side, or styled with an updo. I also love it as a half-up option, or even a way to pull back the hair around your face - talk about versatile! There are so many ideas and ways to wear this hairstyle, which is why everyone needs to try it at least once - I promise you won't regret it!
There is a whole other layer to the variety that a fishtail braid can bring by using different size sections which can drastically change the look you get. This means I can do a fishtail 5 different times and each time it has its own unique look (I'll put my money where my mouth is in a moment with photo evidence). I'm all about having tools in my wheelhouse that offer different varieties so I never get bored of my hairstyles, or my clients! Let's walk through some different looks that all incorporate fishtails to show you what I mean. Some of these I styled on myself, and some were on clients of mine - but I couldn't pick just one, so let's get into it!
This hairstyle is great for any occasion. I started with a simple, high ponytail and created two sections of hair on each side of the pony to braid down. High ponytails are SO in right now, especially since Ariana Grande graced us with her stunning high and glamorous ponytail inspiration. You can do this with your natural hair or add some extensions to enhance the look or make it more formal for a night out!
This fishtail braid can quite literally be used as a hair accessory. Wearing your hair down and curled and accenting with a fishtail is super simple but so cute and stylish! Honestly, this look can be rocked on errands in sweatpants or to a wedding. I also have found that changing the curl type can change the look - if you leave the ends a bit straighter it gives a more beachy vibe or you can do a big bouncy wave to make it more formal and polished.
If you're looking for a more 'fancy' fishtail look, this is for you! This braided bun on my client was one of my favorites ever! You can also pair it with some gorgeous statement piece like my gorgeous client did which will really pull everything together and turn some heads. This hairstyle would be perfect for special occasions like weddings or graduations because it looks so put-together and elegant without being too overdone. This particular look I did with a dutch fishtail technique which makes the braid sit off of the head and gives it serious definition! Seriously obsessed with how it turned out!
Let's talk about this next style, a low pony braided into a fishtail. This look I did on myself, and honestly the only reason I chose a side pony was so I could see my ponytail while I braided it haha (pro tip). I started this by putting my hair in a super loose side pony and do a topsy tail (tutorial here) before I braid it to add a little flair to the look. I also prepped this look by first using my Beach Waver to make that curly/crimpy look. I love the way braids look when they're done on waved hair!
This next style I did was actually featured in Martha Stewart's Wedding Blog - and let me tell you I was SHOOK. You can find the link to it here if you want to check it out for yourself ;). Anyway, I'll stop fangirling so we can stay on track. This style is a bit more out of the box, but that's why I love all things hairstyling - it truly is an art and can be anything you want it to be! I started this look by tying a series of knots in a half-up fashion and then took the remaining hair and got to fishtailin'. Such a fun look and definitely will turn some heads at your next event!
My goal in hairstyling is to stretch my tools and see how many ways I can work them to create all different looks - it keeps me inspired and it keeps me reaching for new ideas and inspiration! Fishtail braids are often seen as the same simple hairstyle (which by the way, is awesome, too) but my goal is to show you the versatility of different techniques so we can always be on-trend and keep things interesting!
If you weren't already convinced that fishtails are the cutest and most versatile braid, I hope you are by now. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with and how you spin the looks I've given for inspo! For more looks, be sure to check out my insta @kjandhairspray_everyday where I always love sharing some of the styles that inspire me and give a bit of insight into how they're done - plus there are lots of visual examples for your convenience ;).
Thanks for hanging with me today as we dove deeeeep into the fishtail braid - leave it to me to be able to write a thousand words about one type of braid, am I right? ;) I hope your fishtail inspiration is now flowing like mine is! Happy Braiding, friends!