How to Get a Fishtail Braid in 6 Easy Steps

Before you start this fishtail braid tutorial, wash your tresses with the TRESemmé Collagen+ Fullness Shampoo and Conditioner. This innovative wash and care system will help with creating fuller-looking and softer-feeling hair.

When your hair is clean and dry, generously spray it with a heat protectant, like the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray. This will help protect your hair from heat damage, as well as promote smooth, frizz-free locks, making it easier for you to style.

Editor’s tip: If you have coloured hair like our model, then try the Dove Colour Care Shampoo and Conditioner. Not only is it great if you have coloured hair, it’s also gentle enough for every day use.

Once you’ve prepped your hair, it’s time to start curling it. Creating a soft wave or loose curls is super easy to do and will help add a romantic touch to this braided half-up ‘do in an instant.

Starting at the front, at roughly eyebrow height, llace a couple inches of your hair into your curling tong and slowly turn it away from your face, so that your hair loosely wraps around the barrel of the tong. Hold for a couple of seconds, then release. Repeat this curling process with the rest of your tresses, until you’ve completed your whole head of hair.

When you’ve finished curling your hair, grab the VO5 Give Me Texture Rough & Sexy Sea Salt Spray and lightly spritz your locks to help give your hair a touch of texture and grip. Trust us, this will make creating your fishtail braid a whole lot easier!

Starting from your temples, divide your hair horizontally. You can roughly create this divide with your fingers or with a comb if you find that easier.

Editor’s tip: Remember to leave roughly an inch of hair at the front, this will help frame your face and add to the overall feminine feel of this braid.

Now it’s time to do the braiding section of this fishtail braid tutorial! Start by creating a French plait, taking 2 inches of hair from the top and dividing it into 3 equal sections.

Then, begin to weave a classic braid (left over middle, right over middle), but before your cross your strands again, pick up additional hair from each side to add to your outer sections. Continue this weaving process until you reach the middle of the back of your crown.

Now for the tricky part of this half-up fishtail braid tutorial: it’s time to turn your 3 sections into two even sections. (Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds.) Just divide the middle section of hair into half and add them to your 2 outer sections!

Once you’ve created the 2 sections that you need, take a slim section of hair (roughly half an inch) from the outer edge of the right section of hair, and pull it over and across (in front, not behind) the left section. Repeat the same technique with the left section: pull the small section of hair over and across the right section, while holding your hair firmly in place as you do so.

Continue this weaving process, until you reach the end of your hair. Secure with a clear hairband and finish with a mist of the Toni&Guy Flexible Hold Hairspray to help your ‘do stay in place all day long while remaining touchable. Now, your half-up fishtail braid tutorial is complete!