Step One: Start by pulling all hair back into a ponytail. It should be noted that this braid works best on dry hair that is medium to very long in length and is not layered.
Step Two: Divide the ponytail into two equal sections of hair. Take a small (approximately 1 inch section) from underneath the left section of hair and cross it over the right section of hair.
Step Three: While holding the ponytail securely with your left thumb and allow the right side of your hand to be free and then take a small section (same approximate size as the previous section) from underneath the right side.
Step Four: Cross the section from underneath the right over to the left side of your hair. While holding the right side securely with your right thumb, continue steps 2-4 until you reach the end of the ponytail. Secure the remaining "tail hair" with a "hair friendly" elastic band.
The braid can be adorned with gorgeous hair jewels such as rhinestone hair pins or other rhinestone jewelry. It can aslo be worn "as is". This style is easy, simple, fast and the results are stunning.
Allow plenty of "tail" at the end of the fishtail braid or else there is a danger that the elastic band may work its way out of place and the braid may loosen or fall out.
This hair style looks especially stunning on thick hair that has lots of contrasting colors that are emphasized with the tied hair pieces.
The style can be worn in a variety of modified ways including wearing bangs or side tendrils.
FULL FISHTAIL BRAID
To create a full fishtail, herringbone or two strand braid, follow the same steps creating a two strand over braid, but start at the front of the hair in a triangle section.
Mary Beth Janssen-Fleishman's book, Easy Step-by-Step Hairstyles includes several photos of a complete Fishtail Braid.
Unfortunately, as of 12/99, this book is out of print and not currently available. You can still order Mary Beth's Twists & Braids Made Easier but this book is heavier on variations of hair twists and lighter on braids. While there are 17 different patterns, none are specifically Fishtail braids.
The photo to the side is taken directly from Easy Step-by-Step Hairstyles and demonstrates a full fishtail braid that starts at the front of the hairline and ends with a long herring bone braid that flows out from the main braid at the nape of the neck.
To create a full braid, follow the same steps for creating a two strand over braid described above, but start at the front of the hair in a triangle section.
One of the great things about the fishtail braid is that depending on how you position your hands, the braid will change the way that it looks from tight against the head to loose and full.
To get the soft and full look that is shown above and to the right the hands need to be held as much as 6 inches away from the head as the braid is being done.
The hair should be braided close to the scalp until about halfway from the hairline. Then the braid should be created at least 6 inches away from the scalp. This will give the braid a very soft and draped look.