10 Fishbone Braid Ideas to Inspire You This Season
Wear the fishtail braid this year with some inspiration from our favorite braided looks.
Ready to upgrade your braid game with a few new styles? We have you covered with the ever-popular fishbone braid, sometimes called a fishtail braid; it’s a style that’s not only trendy but equally sophisticated, feminine, and chic. While you might think that fishtail braids are typically a one-braided style option, we’re here to tell you that the fishtail hairstyle actually has a lot of variation.
Fishbone Braid Ideas
Fishtail hair can be rocked as a fishtail pony, fishtail halo, fishtail plaits, crown braid, and much more! Read on to check out chic ways to flex those fishbone braid hairstyles this year. Read on:
1. Classic Fishbone Braid
Kicking off our fishtail hair guide with a classic, this inverted fishtail braid looks stunning on all hair types as you showcase your fishtail plait on either side of your face. To master this look, check out our fishtail braid tutorial to get the step-by-step tips as well as learn what products you need.
2. Fishtail Ponytail
We love a good ponytail for the warmer months as a way to get our hair off our faces. This fishbone braid takes the classic style up a notch by combining a middle pony with a fishtail ponytail. Cute, right!? Get the scoop on how to nail this style in our fishtail braid pony tutorial and you’ll be sporting this trendy look in no time.
3. Fishtail Crown Braid
We bet you’ve never seen fishtail hair quite like this before. Having borrowed from the crown braid aesthetic, this look has been given an intricate twist by working it with a fishtail plait, instead of your standard three-strand one! Perfect for those who love updos but also want something practical and secure, this ethereal-looking crown braid adds tones of depth and interest to your face. Make sure your style lasts all day by spraying some TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray Texture Hold Level 1. Get the full scoop on how to master this braided fishtail hairstyle in our fishtail crown braid tutorial.
4. Fishtail Braided Side Bun
Looking for fishtail plaits that look just as good from the back as it does from the front? A fishtail braided side bun is your answer! This elegant ‘do may look complicated, but we assure you, it’s actually a super easy fishtail braid to create, especially with help from our side fishtail braid tutorial.
5. Half-Up, Half-Down Fishtail Braid
Can’t decide between wearing your hair in a pretty updo or leaving it down? Well, now you don’t have to! Perfect for straight, wavy, or even curly hair, this half-up fishtail hairstyle is one of our all-time favorite ‘dos! To achieve this look, create a fishtail crown braid around your face and accentuate your waves by scrunching a sea salt spray into your hair.
6. Pigtail Fishbone Braids
We are all about these fun pigtail fishtail braids that we saw during NYFW. The loose tendrils around the face are also a nice touch that shows off the ease and wearability of this laid-back hairstyle. Give this style an extra dose of volume by using Suave Up The Volume Shampoo and Conditioner before braiding. This set is great because it’ll help add dimension to make strands appear thicker.
7. Side Fishtail Braid
This style is a casual way to show off your fishbone braid. Pull out a few face-framing pieces and the look is complete! Create volume at the roots of the style by gently teasing your hair before you start styling.
8. Full-Length Braid
One of our favorite ways to wear this braid is the classic full-length version. This style looks just like a French braid but it’s a fishtail braid instead! Finish off the look with a fun clip at the bottom for some extra texture and fun.
9. Fishtail on Curly Hair Types
Curly hair types look amazing in fishbone braids because their curls add some volume and texture to the style. Use this braid as an excuse to hydrate curls with some leave-in conditioner, since it’ll be up in a style anyway. We highly recommend Nexxus Curl Define Daily Leave-In Moisturizer. This leave-in will work to enrich your curls and give them the ultimate moisture replenishment, all while your hair is up in your fishbone braid.
10. Loose Fishbone Braid
One of our favorite fishbone braids, just a classic fishtail braid but extra loose and effortless. After you’re done braiding and you’ve secured it with an elastic, pull at both sides of the braid, a.k.a. pancaking, to create that messy and carefree style. You can even leave out some face-framing pieces to add to the loose look.
Fishtail braid tutorials to try:
- Step-by-step fishtail French braid tutorial.
- Master the side fishtail braid.
- Turn your fishtail into an updo with a fishtail bun.
- Create a chunky fishtail ponytail.
- Give your fishtail a boho twist.
Fishbone braids are one of our favorite styles because it’s unique but still easy to create on your own. If you’ve become as obsessed with this braid as we have, then you’re going to want to try all of these variations. Give them all a go to discover which are your faves!
