Easy Faux Fishtail Braids

Easy faux fishtail braids create the textured look of a fishtail without requiring you to weave small sections of hair together. This ponytail-based method uses a few elastics and simple pull-through loops, making it a practical option for beginners or anyone who wants a braided look with less effort.

How to Make Easy Faux Fishtail Braids

Make the style on both sides of your head, working with one low ponytail at a time. Small elastics help keep the sections neat, while spacing them about an inch or two apart creates room for each loop.

1. Create two low ponytails. Divide your hair into two sections and secure each one near the nape of your neck with a small elastic.
2. Make the first pull-through. Above one elastic, separate the hair to form a small opening. Lift the ponytail and pull it through the opening, then gently tighten the elastic.
3. Repeat on the other side. Make the same loop in the second ponytail so both sides begin evenly.
4. Add another elastic. On one ponytail, tie a new small elastic about an inch or two below the first one.
5. Pull the ponytail through again. Make an opening in the hair between the two elastics and bring the lower section up and through it. Pull gently to secure the loop.
6. Continue down the ponytail. Add another elastic an inch or two below the previous one, create an opening between the elastics, and pull the hair through. Repeat for as many loops as your hair length allows.
7. Finish the other side. Repeat the elastic-and-loop pattern on the second ponytail.
8. Adjust the shape. Gently pull the edges of the loops outward, sometimes called pancaking, to make the faux braids look fuller or more relaxed.

Tips for a Neat, Comfortable Finish

Keep the elastics positioned at similar distances on both sides for a balanced result. Avoid pulling too tightly when making the loops; a gentle tug is enough to hold the shape and can make the style more comfortable. If a loop looks uneven, loosen it slightly and adjust the hair before continuing.

Longer hair allows for more loops, while shorter hair may look better with fewer. Stop when you reach a comfortable length rather than forcing in another section. For a softer, less polished finish, gently loosen a few loops after securing the style. Decorative flowers can also be added at the end if desired.

Why This Faux Fishtail Style Works

The repeated ponytail-and-loop technique creates texture that resembles a fishtail braid, but it does not require the repeated section-crossing used in a traditional braid. The main idea is simple: secure a section with an elastic, make an opening above it, and pull the hair through. Easy faux fishtail braids are therefore easy to adapt to different hair lengths and to wear in a tidy or more relaxed style.

— Rebecca