Having your hair braided often leaves you feeling like a show pony. I LOVE people playing with my hair but then I usually sneak off to the bathroom to undo it. Fishtail braids are culprit number one for this. No one wants to spend the rest of their day looking like they just won a gymkhana. But as Bumble and Bumble stylist Edward showed us recently, it doesn't always have to be this way. To complement the softer vibe of Rachel Comey's pre-Fall collection, Edward created a beautiful, more voluptuous take on the classic fishtail on our model, Elaine. Woven tightly, then mussed up by hand, it's like the fishtail's curvier, crazier cousin. The one you actually want to hang out with. Edward's half-up, half-down approach also cleverly sidesteps the trap of looking like a Russian gymnast; rather than pulling the hair back tight, he kept it soft at the crown for a more natural look. Follow his instructions below for the fishtail of your dreams.
Photos by James Parker
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1. Blow out the hair with a little of Bumble's Styling Lotion and Straight Blow Dry. Use your fingers so you don't lose too much texture.![]()
2. After drying, section the hair into two parts—a top and a bottom—by running your fingers towards each other horizontally from the ears.![]()
3. Split your top section into two parts equally down the middle.![]()
4. Begin by taking a small piece from the right-hand portion.![]()
5. Pulling it across the right section and into the middle of the two large pieces, join the small piece into the left half.![]()
6. Now separate a thin piece from the left side.![]()
7. Repeat what you did on the right, bringing the thin piece across the left half, into the middle and then joining it to the right half.![]()
8. Continue this back and forth for a while. You'll begin to see the braid form.![]()
9. The smaller your braiding sections, the better it will look when you pull it apart later.![]()
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13. I like to stop about 3/4 of the way down and secure the end with a little elastic or rubber band.![]()
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14. Now this is where it gets fun. You can start to distress your braid! Do this by pulling it apart a bit here and there. Anchor your thumb on the center and pull outward. I call this "opening the book." I really like to use Bumble and Bumble's Dryspun Finish on the braid while I do this. It adds texture, airi
Photos by James Parker
1. Blow out the hair with a little of Bumble's Styling Lotion and Straight Blow Dry. Use your fingers so you don't lose too much texture.
2. After drying, section the hair into two parts—a top and a bottom—by running your fingers towards each other horizontally from the ears.
3. Split your top section into two parts equally down the middle.
4. Begin by taking a small piece from the right-hand portion.
5. Pulling it across the right section and into the middle of the two large pieces, join the small piece into the left half.
6. Now separate a thin piece from the left side.
7. Repeat what you did on the right, bringing the thin piece across the left half, into the middle and then joining it to the right half.
8. Continue this back and forth for a while. You'll begin to see the braid form.
9. The smaller your braiding sections, the better it will look when you pull it apart later.
13. I like to stop about 3/4 of the way down and secure the end with a little elastic or rubber band.
14. Now this is where it gets fun. You can start to distress your braid! Do this by pulling it apart a bit here and there. Anchor your thumb on the center and pull outward. I call this "opening the book." I really like to use Bumble and Bumble's Dryspun Finish on the braid while I do this. It adds texture, airi