4 Sided Fishtail Braid

Equipment

• Brush
• 1-2 hair band
• 1 small hair elastic
• hairspray {if desired}
  

Time Requirement: 15mins

Skill Level: Medium

Accessorising the Hairstyle

• ribbons
  

When you can wear it

• school
  
• sport
  
• casual outings
  
• dances

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Begin by brushing the hair and securing it into a high ponytail with a hair band…
   
2. Now, divide the ponytail into two large strands…
3. Take a small piece of hair from the outside-left edge of the left strand, cross it over that strand and add it to the inside of the right strand…
4. Next, take a small piece of hair from the outside-right edge of the right strand, cross it over the that strand and add it to the inside of the left strand {this completes the first full stitch of a regular fishtail braid}…
5. Repeat Steps #3 & 4 to create a second complete stitch of a fishtail braid…
6. Now, take a small piece of hair from the outside-left edge of the left strand, cross it under the that strand, and add it to the inside of the right section…
7. Take a small piece of hair from the outside-right edge of the right strand, cross it under that strand, and add it to the inside of the left section {you have just created one complete stitch of a reverse fishtail braid}…
8. Repeat Steps #6 & 7 to create a second complete stitch of a reverse fishtail braid. {Please make sure that when you add the pieces to the middle, that they stay in the middle. You do not want these pieces migrating to the outside and being used too soon or the fishtail pattern will not look correct.}
9. Repeat Steps #3-8 by creating alternating two regular fishtail stitches, and then two reverse fishtail stitches, over and over again until you run out of hair…
10. When you reach the end of the braid, secure the hair ends with an elastic.
11. You may choose to wrap a small strand of hair around the elastic to hide it, by using a bobby pin.
12. {Optional: Gently twist the braid until it wraps around itself to create a very beautiful and intriguing braided bun.}
13. Add hairspray and accessories as needed.

Ways to Accessorise

1.    Cream Sleek Tipped Hair Bow – newlook.com – $4.90
2.    5 inch hair bow – etsy.com – $5.50
3.    Set of 2 hair clips – Debenhams.com – $6.60
4.    Vera Bradley Flower Headband – verabradely.com - $11
5.    1&20 Blackbirds flower head piece – theiconic.com.au - $20
6.    Forever 21 self-tie polka dot head wrap – forever21.com - $3.80
7.    Accessorize woven wire tie pony – accessorize.com - $14
8.    Marc by Marc Jacobs link to Katie hair ties – bloomingdales.com - $32