The Best Braiding Tutorials—Fishtail, French, and More

The classic French braid is a timeless look by itself, and this basic style is also essential for creating more complicated updos. Follow these simple steps to learn how to pull off this polished braid—and then get ready for your friends to start asking you to braid their hair, too.

Flirty, messy, and mermaid-approved, the process of creating a fishtail braid is a little less rigid than that of a French braid, since the looser and piecier the braid gets, the cooler it looks. Best of all, you can rock this style anywhere, from a big meeting to a music festival.

Wearing your hair down every day can get a little repetitive. Shake things up with this simple, boho-inspired look. The peek-a-boo style can be rocked a million different ways; hide your braids between luxurious curls, or have them stand out against super-straight strands. Guaranteed glam, every time!

If you’re a fan of sleek, pulled-back styles, this half-updo is for you. Start with a traditional French braid, but make it anything-but-basic by finishing things off with an edgy braided bun. Warning: For trendsetters only.

Talk about a triple threat! This video features three fun and easy braided styles to try out once you’ve mastered the basics. Put your fishtail skills to the test with a beachy fishtail side-braid, or opt for a half-up look with a waterfall braid. Another idea: Sweep two basic braids into the loose crown bun to transition your look into an updo that’s perfect for a night out on the town.