fishtail/ herringbone braid

[az_sweetie01]

Okay, is it just me or are these kind of time consumming? Then again, maybe I'm just slow and/or inexperienced....

I really love the look of them but, man are they tough to master!

Anyone have any pointers that may help?

[SweetPea88]

I think you're right, they do seem to be a little more time consuming than other braids. With the herringbone I always find that I need to take 10-30 sec. breaks otherwise I get really sloppy. I don't really have any great advice other than just take your time and practice. Hopefully others will be a little more helpful!

[Katze]

yes, they are time consuming but so worth it! Mine stay in longer and make my hair look thicker.
I don't know if I could take a break; I have to braid pretty snug or risk losing everything.

[j4zzin]

I think another thing to factor in is how big the sections you're crossing over are. The first few times I did a herringbone, I did tiny little sections and it took forever to finish. It looked very intricate and feathery, but it also was a pain to unbraid. If you do nice big pieces, it goes a lot faster but you get a look similar to a regular 3-strand english braid.

I'm still practicing them too. My biggest mistake is not using all the hair and ending up with a bunch of flat hair on the backside, if that makes any sense. You have to be sure to get the outermost edge each time. Plus, it's also A LOT easier if you tie it off at the top before you start, though I personally don't like that look so much.

[spidermom]

This braid, which was taught to me as "snake" braid, is a bit on the time-consuming side for me as well. I like mine a bit messy-looking with uneven sections.

[florenonite]

The one in my avatar took me five, ten minutes to do (though my hair's quite short), but you may notice that the sections are reasonably large.

[az_sweetie01]

Thanks Ladies I'm going to continue to practice. My other problem is that when I get towards the bottom, I want to pull the braid over my shoulder and braid from the front (by then my arms are very tired, lol). But, the braid gets lopsidded...practic, I need more practice!

yes, they are time consuming but so worth it! Mine stay in longer and make my hair look thicker.
I don't know if I could take a break; I have to braid pretty snug or risk losing everything.

I noticed this and REALLY like that little bonus!!

[Gumball]

I've found yeah, they take a little longer, but they look really nifty so sometimes it really does pay off. I know I need a little more practice doing them. I guess I never really thought about it making hair look thicker but it's so true.

[SweetPea88]

Have you tried doing a full herringbone, where it starts at the top like a French or Dutch braid? I really like how they look and it might give some extra practice.

[spidermom]

I rarely try to bring a braid over one shoulder to finish. I usually bend forward, with the braid hanging toward the floor, and finish that way. If I'm tired, I sit down before I bend forward. If you try this, pay close attention to where you are and what you're doing as you bend forward because your movements will be inverted. (example: you were crossing sections at the front of the braid, but while leaning toward the floor you will be crossing sections at the back of the braid)