The Savvy Girl's Guide To A Fishtail Braid

The hottest hairstyle for this summer is the fishtail braid, as seen on numerous stars, runways and magazines. The fishtail braid is a more complex take on the regular braid that we all wore to mask those school day hair blues. It may seem daunting to try out at first, but according to blogger Akanksha Chawla from Fictitious Fashion, it's as easy as pie. After seeing Akanksha wear a fishtail braid on her blog, I asked her to do a guest post on how to recreate the look. She's written a step-by-step guide, along with corresponding photographs - which makes this hairstyle easy enough for anyone to achieve.

How to Create a Fishtail Braid

In the Words of Akanksha:

A Warm Welcome to Everyone. I wanted to share my favourite hairstyle, the fishtail braid.

Step 1. If you’re doing it yourself then I’d suggest making a side braid or one at the back. Tie up all of your hair to the side with the help of any rubber band.

Step 2. Divide your hair into two sections. Hold each piece separately.

Step 3. This step is very important - Take a thin bunch of hair (see picture) from the end of one of the divided sections.

Step 4. Take the thin bunch over to the other half of the hair, making a cross. Hold it tightly.

Step 5. Now, take a thin bunch of hair from the second half of your hair.

Step 6. Take this second thin bunch over to the first half of hair, making a cross.  (This is the equivalent of pulling smaller strands from outside the larger sections, and drawing them into the center).

Step 7. You should get your first Fishtail.

Step 8. Repeat steps 3-6 until you get to the the end of your hair. Secure with a  hairband.

Akanksha's Tips:

*You could spray gel onto your hair for a solid and sophisticated look.

*My hair is a little silky and cut in layers so you would see tiny hair hopping around. Not to worry, long hair wouldn't have an issue.
*Remember to make this hairstyle your own by adding beads, colourful rubber bands, tic-tacs, etc.

Feel free to ask her any questions on http://fictitious-fashion.blogspot.com/

Special thanks to the very sweet Akanksha for sharing this tutorial and tips with us.

Celeb Inspired Looks

Now that you have learnt to do the simple side swept fishtail braid, you can move on to more intricate braided styles, as shown off by these celebrities.

Top Row
Kim Kardashian lets a few strands hang loose from her braid and wears a side-swept fringe.
Wear a blunt fringe and tie a ribbon around your elastic hairband like Bella Thorne.
Hilary Duff used thin strips of black leather to style her fishtail braid.
Ashley Tisdale added some volume to her look by teasing the front of her hair.
Center-part your hair, make two separate French braids then pin them up like Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Bottom Row
Blake Lively's version of an unkempt fishtail braid. She added a pretty gold hair brooch.
Amanda Bynes used her smaller braid as an Alice band, with the rest of her hair loose.
Nicole Richie plaited her hair in two sections from the roots.
Try a high ponytail braid like Diane Kruger.
Mary Kate Olsen combines tousled waves with her fishtail braid.

I hope that this post will inspire you to create your own fishtail braid.
Happy Styling from Akanksha & I!