How to Do a Fishtail Braid for Short Hair

The fishtail braid, sometimes called a herringbone braid, is a style of braid appropriate for any occasion. Braiding short hair is tricky, but your lack of locks shouldn't dissuade you from attempting this elegant style. By adjusting your starting point, you can successfully braid almost any length of hair. Practice makes perfect when it comes to braiding, so don't be discouraged if your first few attempts don't turn out as you envisioned.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-tooth comb
• Hair elastic

Instructions

1. Comb 4 to 6 inches of hair directly over the forehead into your fingers. Beginning the braid at the top of the head gives you more hair to work with than if you started at the nape.

2. Divide the hair in your hand into two equal parts. Keep the sides separated with your pinkie and ring fingers on sides A and B.

3. Pull half of hair from the outer portion of side A and overlap it into the center between sides A and B. Repeat on side B. Overlap the two strands in the center so they form an X. Continue maintaining separate parts so the only connecting hair strands are those overlapping in the center.

4. Continue pulling 1/2 inch of hair from the outer sides and overlapping the two pieces in the middle. Make your braid uniform and symmetrical braid by drawing an even amount of hair from both sides before overlapping.

5. Braid the hair downward in a straight line until you run out of room at the bottom. Wrap an elastic hair tie around the bottom of the braid to secure the hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice your first fishtail brain on unwashed hair. Freshly washed hair is slippery and falls out of the braid more easily than slightly greasy hair.

References

• Cosmopolitan: Fishtail Braid Instructions
• Dream Weaver Braiding: Herringbone Braid Instructions