So named because it’s wide and flat like a mermaid’s tail, there are as many variations on this braid style as there are fish in the sea. No matter how you choose to style it, the general technique is the same: a very fine French braid, incorporating delicate strands of hair into the plait as it flows elegantly down your back or over one shoulder.
How to make a Mermaid Braid: simple and pretty |
(As with the French braid, we recommend you NOT do this in a mirror when you’re just starting out. Mirrors can be confusing when you’re mastering a new braid technique; you’re better off going by feel at first.)
How To make a Mermaid Braid:
1. Deep part your hair to one side, pulling all the hair over to the “heavy” side (the side that has the most hair from the deep part on it).
2. Divide out a 2″ section of hair on the “heavy” side towards the back of your head.
3. Split this section into three equal pieces for braiding.
4. Cross the back strand over the center strand, then the front over the center strand. This is just like how you’d do a regular braid.
5. Cross the back strand over the center again, this time incorporating a narrow piece of hair from the back (below where the braid began) in with the section you are crossing over.
6. Cross the front strand over the back strand, now adding in another narrow section of hair from directly in front of the braid.
7. Keep repeating these steps, pulling in small pieces of hair and adding them to the braid until the plait reaches the end of your hair.
8. Secure the braid with your hair tie of choice. Voila! You’re ready to charm the handsomest sailors who ever sailed the Seven Seas.