10 Fishtail Braid Ideas for Long Open Hairs
Love wearing your hair down but want something prettier than plain waves? These fishtail braid ideas keep most of your length open while adding detail, lift, and hold where you need it. You’ll find half-ups, headband braids, and slim accents that flatter round, oval, heart, and long face shapes. Each look includes a quick pro tip, step-by-step how-to, best face shapes and hair types, plus the basic tools you’ll need. Start with clean, dry hair; add heat protectant if you plan to curl. Keep clear elastics, bobby pins, and a light texturizing spray on hand. Whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly, you can master these at home in minutes and still enjoy the movement of open lengths.
Quick List
- Half-Up Fishtail Cascade
- Side-Swept Fishtail Fringe
- Fishtail Crown Headband
- Twin Micro Fishtail Tendrils
- Peekaboo Fishtail Underlayer
- Fishtail Tieback with Curtain Waves
- Off-Center Fishtail Waterfall
- Fishtail Knot Half-Up
- Diagonal Fishtail Accent Braid
- Boho Fishtail + Loose Curls
Half-Up Fishtail Cascade
A slim fishtail at the crown keeps hair off your face while lengths flow free. The braid adds texture and height that flatters round faces, and the open ends feel relaxed for everyday or events. Dress it up with a ribbon or keep it minimal for a clean finish. This style works with straight, wavy, or curly hair and holds nicely through photos. Pro tip: start your braid a finger behind the hairline to avoid puffiness and get a smoother front.
How To Style: Gather top section from temples to crown. Split into two and fishtail to mid-length, secure with a clear elastic, then pancake lightly. Curl ends if desired. Mist flexible hairspray.
Best For: Round, heart, oval faces; straight, wavy, or curly hair.
Tools & Products: Tail comb, clear elastics, bobby pins, texturizing spray, flexible hairspray.
Side-Swept Fishtail Fringe
A deep side part and a slim fishtail along the heavy side create a swoop that frames eyes while the rest stays open. The diagonal line slims round faces and highlights cheekbones. It’s quick, comfy, and perfect for class-to-dinner days. Keep the braid soft so it blends with waves. Pro tip: set the front over a large brush or roller first, then braid to lock the shape.
How To Style: Create a deep side part. Take a front slice, fishtail toward the ear, secure, and pin the tail underneath the top layer. Add soft waves through the lengths.
Best For: Round, oval faces; straight to wavy hair.
Tools & Products: Large round brush, clear elastic, bobby pins, curling iron, light-hold hairspray.
Fishtail Crown Headband
A fishtail “headband” running ear to ear feels romantic while leaving everything else down. It keeps flyaways neat under hats or hoods and adds gentle height that flatters round or heart shapes. You can go sleek or airy depending on how much you pancake. Pro tip: start above the temple and angle back so the braid doesn’t creep onto the forehead.
How To Style: Part as usual. From above one ear, fishtail across the front to the other ear, adding hair only from the front edge. Secure behind the ear and hide the end under hair.
Best For: Round, heart, long faces; straight or wavy hair.
Tools & Products: Tail comb, clear elastics, bobby pins, texturizing spray, flexible hairspray.
Twin Micro Fishtail Tendrils
Two tiny fishtails beside the part fall into your open waves for barely-there detail. They read delicate in photos and suit minimal makeup or a statement lip. Micro braids add grip near the hairline and keep fringe tidy without pinning everything back. Pro tip: use very small sections and stop braiding early so the tails blend invisibly.
How To Style: Create a middle or soft side part. Take pencil-thin pieces beside the part, fishtail 2–3 inches, tie off with micro elastics, and fluff. Add loose bends to the rest.
Best For: Oval, long faces; straight to wavy hair.
Tools & Products: Clear micro elastics, tail comb, small curling wand, light serum, hairspray.
Peekaboo Fishtail Underlayer
Hide a narrow fishtail underneath a top layer so it peeks through your open hair—subtle, cool, and great for thick textures. The hidden braid reduces bulk and adds movement. It’s a fun switch-up that still feels effortless. Pro tip: place the braid slightly off-center so it flashes in motion.
How To Style: Lift a top veil of hair. From the underlayer, fishtail a thin section to mid-length, secure, and drop the veil back down. Add waves through the ends for separation.
Best For: Heart, oval faces; wavy to thick straight hair.
Tools & Products: Sectioning clips, clear elastics, curling iron, texturizing spray, flexible hairspray.
Fishtail Tieback with Curtain Waves
Curtain pieces frame the face while slim fishtails from each side meet at the back. You keep the length down and get a tidy, balanced outline that suits most necklines. Gentle width at the sides flatters long faces. Pro tip: braid each side separately, then join with a new elastic so tension stays even.
How To Style: Leave short face pieces out. From each side, fishtail a small section toward the back. Secure together, wrap a strand around the join, and pin. Wave the remaining lengths.
Best For: Long, oval faces; straight to wavy hair.
Tools & Products: Clear elastics, bobby pins, curling iron, tail comb, light-hold hairspray.
Off-Center Fishtail Waterfall
A waterfall variation that feeds small drops into open lengths, finished with a fishtail along the back. It showcases texture while keeping the top neat. The off-center line draws the eye diagonally, slimming wider foreheads. Pro tip: keep “drop” sections consistent so the pattern reads clearly in photos.
How To Style: Start a waterfall braid near the part, dropping a section each stitch. At the back, switch to a short fishtail to secure the line. Tie off and blend with waves.
Best For: Round, heart faces; wavy or curly hair.
Tools & Products: Tail comb, clear elastics, bobby pins, curl cream or mousse, flexible hairspray.
Fishtail Knot Half-Up
A tiny half-up made from a fishtail looped into a simple knot gives detail without bulk. The knot adds soft lift at the crown, while the rest stays open and glossy. Great for dinners, dates, and photos. Pro tip: braid longer than you think; knots shorten the length.
How To Style: Gather a slim top section and fishtail to mid-length. Tie the braid into a loose knot, pin flat, and let the tail blend with the open hair. Add a light shine mist.
Best For: Oval, round faces; straight to wavy hair.
Tools & Products: Clear elastic, bobby pins, texturizing spray, shine spray, light hairspray.
Diagonal Fishtail Accent Braid
A narrow fishtail runs from the temple to the opposite back corner, creating a sleek diagonal that contours the face. It controls the front while leaving all the length free. This line is especially flattering on round faces. Pro tip: keep sections tiny near the hairline for a refined edge.
How To Style: Take a slim front section, fishtail diagonally across the head, and pin the end under the top layer at the back. Add soft waves through the rest.
Best For: Round, heart faces; straight or wavy hair.
Tools & Products: Tail comb, clear elastics, bobby pins, curling iron, flexible hairspray.
Boho Fishtail + Loose Curls
One relaxed fishtail mixed into open, brushed-out curls gives a festival-meets-date-night vibe. It’s easy, photogenic, and looks fuller when you pancake the braid and fluff the curls. Leave a few face tendrils for softness. Pro tip: curl all sections away from the face for a clean frame.
How To Style: Curl hair, cool, and brush into waves. Fishtail a small side section to mid-length, secure, and tug edges for width. Blend the tail into the loose curls and finish with flexible spray.
Best For: Oval, long faces; straight to wavy hair.
Tools & Products: Curling iron, clear elastics, boar-mix brush, texturizing spray, flexible hairspray.
Conclusion
Fishtails add detail without hiding your length, so you get movement and structure in one. Pick one design that fits your face shape and routine, then practice once on clean, dry hair. Note section sizes and pin placement. On the day, repeat the same steps and mist to set.
CTA
Tell me your hair texture and face shape, and I’ll tailor two fishtail looks with timing, section sizes, and product amounts just for you.
FAQs
1) What makes a fishtail different from a regular braid?
A fishtail uses two sections instead of three. You repeatedly take tiny pieces from the outer edges and cross them over to the opposite side, creating a finer, herringbone texture that holds well and looks intricate.
2) How do I make a fishtail braid look fuller?
“Pancake” it: after securing the end, gently tug the outer edges to widen. Work from the bottom up so you don’t loosen the base, and use a light texture spray for grip before you start.
3) Will these styles work on layered hair?
Yes. Keep your sections a touch larger and use clear elastics at key points. If shorter layers pop out, smooth them with a tiny bit of styling cream or slide in a bobby pin underneath.
4) Do I need to curl my hair first?
Not required. Straight hair gives a sleek, graphic braid; waves or curls add softness and volume. If you curl, keep bends mid-length down so the braid detail stays visible at the top.
5) How can I stop braids from slipping on fine hair?
Prep with dry shampoo or texturizing spray for grip. Braid with small, even pieces, secure with clear elastics, and finish with flexible hairspray. Crossing two pins in an “X” under a tieback helps lock it.
