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Make a French fishtail side braid

Try a short side panel when you can already keep the two halves of a fishtail separate. Adding small pickups creates an attached section without needing to braid the back of your head.

Step by step

  1. An adult separates two starting halves in a reachable side panel with surrounding hair clipped away.
    STEP 1 OF 3

    Start two halves in a side panel

    • Clip hair outside one reachable side panel away. Take a small starting section near the part and divide it into two halves.
    • Move a fine outer piece from one half over that half into the opposite half. Repeat from the other side to begin a short fishtail.
  2. An adult holds two fishtail halves while adding one small loose side pickup across to the opposite half.
    STEP 2 OF 3

    Feed loose hair across the two halves

    • Hold the halves apart. Pick up a small loose section beside the right half, pass it over that half and join it to the left half.
    • Switch your grip, pick up loose hair beside the left half and pass it over into the right half. Alternate pickups along the chosen panel.
    • When no panel hair remains to add, bring the tail forward. Alternate fine outer pieces from each half across into the other until the ends get short.
  3. An adult gently checks the loose hair after removing the side braid tie and undoing its crossings.
    STEP 3 OF 3

    Tie comfortably and unpick after wear

    • Hold the last crossing and wind a soft tie around the free end. Release the clips and check the hairline; undo any area that pulls.
    • For takedown, remove the end tie and open each crossing from the bottom upward. Release the added sections as you reach them, freeing catches with fingers.

One reachable braid, including setup and takedown; practice may take longer.

Unmeasured editorial handling estimate for the stated scope. Familiarity, access and the item or hair being handled change the time.

You’re done when…

The side panel is comfortably attached, its free tail is tied, and it can later be unpicked from the end upward.