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Messy fishtail milkmaid braids offer a relaxed take on a classic updo, with woven braids wrapped over the crown and gently loosened for a fuller finish. The style can work with hair at different lengths, including hair that is still growing out, as long as the braids can be secured comfortably. A pair of small elastics and a few bobby pins are all you need to get started.
How to Make Messy Fishtail Milkmaid Braids
Begin with dry or slightly textured hair that is easy to handle. If your hair tends to slip, work in small sections and keep the temporary ponytail elastics in place until both braids are complete. Avoid pulling so tightly that the style feels uncomfortable.
1. Divide your hair into two sections
Part your hair down the middle and gather each side into a low pigtail. Secure both sections with elastics, leaving them loose enough to remove later. These elastics help keep the hair organized while you braid.
2. Create the first fishtail braid
Split one pigtail into two equal sections. Take a small strand from the outer edge of the left section and cross it over into the right section. Then take a small strand from the outside of the right section and cross it into the left. Repeat this alternating pattern.
Keep the transferred strands fairly small for a more defined fishtail pattern. Continue down to the ends and secure the braid with an elastic.
3. Braid the other side
Repeat the same technique with the second pigtail. Aim for a similar braid length, but do not worry if the two sides are not perfectly identical; the deliberately undone finish helps the style look relaxed.
4. Remove the temporary elastics and add volume
Carefully remove the elastics at the tops of the pigtails. You can ease them over the braid or cut them off, taking care not to catch or cut your hair. Gently pull at the outer loops of each braid to widen them. This technique, often called pancaking, makes the braids look fuller. Loosen them a little at a time so they do not unravel.
5. Pin the braids into a crown
Bring one braid over the top of your head and secure it with bobby pins. Lay the second braid alongside or slightly over the first, tuck its ends underneath, and pin it in place. Add pins where the braids feel loose, and tuck stray sections under the woven hair if you want a tidier outline.
Finishing Tips for a Relaxed Look
- Use enough bobby pins to hold the braids securely, especially near the ends and where they overlap.
- Loosen the braids gradually; pulling too hard can make strands slip out or cause the braid to come undone.
- Leave a few soft pieces loose if you prefer a more casual finish, or pin them back for a neater look.
These messy fishtail milkmaid braids combine the familiar crown shape of a milkmaid style with the texture of fishtail weaving. Keeping the initial pigtail elastics in place while braiding can make the sections easier to control, while gently pancaking the finished braids adds their signature fullness. — Rebecca
