What Would You Do: Fishtail Braid Updo

It’s a fact: your clients are your best marketing tools. Send them out the door looking fabulous, and they’ll tell all their friends…who then wind up in your chair! With that circle of life in mind, we found this Pinterest image and KNEW it’s exactly the kind of ‘do that turns heads and gets people talking. But how do you create the look? We asked our Facebook fans, and below you’ll find their techniques for achieving this intricate, structured updo.

"I would start by spraying the whole head with some texturizing spray, like Redken Wax Blast 10 or Paul Mitchell Spray Wax. Take small sections and twist them, securing the ends with wax and intertwine them together to form this pattern. Securing them with pins. Keep in mind that although this is an unkempt style, the hair still needs to look finished. While maintaining the pieciness within the twist, set the hair with some finishing spray and top it off with some shine spray. Voila!" 
Sherry Laurenza
BTC Facebook Fan

Read the Article: What Would You Do: Rose and Pewter Pastel Highlights

"I would apply Pureology Texture Twist throughout the hair to deter frizz and maintain light hold. From the midshaft to ends, spray a flexible hold hairspray like morrocanoil Luminous Hairspray. Use a 1- to 1½-inch curling iron (dependent on client’s hair length) to loosely curl hair and smooth down the cuticle before styling. Next, take the crown section of hair from temples to about an inch above the occipital bone and apply Scharzkopf OSiS Dust It for texture and volume, and lightly tease the hair to give height. Gently curl surface pieces and pull back and down gently towards the nape of neck in a loose French braid. Twist the braid about halfway down the midshaft and tucking it underneath the surface of the braid and pin to hide the ends. Then, I would split the remaining bottom section of hair into two sections horizontally and form two loose fishtail braids, wrapping each toward the opposite side and again pinning underneath the braid so it gives a loose and away appearance. Make sure all bobby pins are hidden, spray with Kenra Volume Spray 25 and coat again with morrocanoil Luminous Hairspray for shine. Finally, give client lots of business cards because EVERYONE will want a re-creation!"
Hali McCord
Hairstylist,
Hello Beautiful Salon
Andover, Kansas

"I would apply a dime-size dollop of texture crème to the hair for soft hold and braid a fairly loose fishtail on half the hair. Then, braid another fishtail from the bottom hairline upwards and incorporate both at the occipital bone. Pin the ends and pick out for a more loose look."
Soñia Alva
BTC Facebook Fan

"I would first use a 1½-inch curling iron to prime the locks. Next, apply the appropriate amount of a product like Paul Mitchell Straight Works to the midshaft for sleek texture and natural separation. Spray the ends with Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine or a similiar "fiberous" product that will allow the ends to stick to the hair strands and scalp area where they are pinned. Then I'd section the head into sections: top and bottom sections, drawing a wide, zigzig horizontal line from ear to ear at the occipital bone. First, clip the top half up and away so you can work with the bottom half first. Starting at the nape of the neck, create loose, controlled, downward barrel curls—this involves directing each section upward, then rolling downward. Do this for one row. You’ll then do a second row right above this, this time curling the hair the opposite way: direct the barrel curl sections downward, then roll into scalp at an angle for dimension. Now, to complete the top section. Start above the ear on either side and take about an 1-inch section from the hairline to the occipital. Twist it loosely, creating a wide barrel curl at the ends. Continue in 1-inch sections and repeat on the other side of the head. Now move to the remaining hair at the top and crown. Spray with a texturizing/shine/smoothing product, and loosely grasp the entire section. Hold the hair between all your fingers, with your palm facing upward and your knuckles resting on the crown. Rotate your so your palm faces the scalp. Take your other hand and place your fingers strongly on the hair, pressing on the scalp where you have just twisted and release the grasp of the hand that initially made the twist. Grasp again with your palm facing upward and twist a second time. Next, pin the hair at the occipital with snag and pull method, this will help lock in this top section, you’ll probably need about five of these pins. Lastly, take the hair left below pins at occipital and barrel curl into ringlets, pinning each part of the ring that hits the scalp. Happy styling!"
Amy Sylvester
Lead Creative Consultant and Stylst
Beauty Ever After
Buzzards Bay, MA

"1) Lightly spray Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray on the hair.
2) Neatly curl set the entire head with Oribe Superfine Hairspray.
3) Once the entire head is set, spray a layer of Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray. 
4) Starting in the lower back section, I would start pinning the curls, intertwining the sections and spraying with superfine as needed to smooth each piece and work my way to the top.
5) As you reach the top, lightly run your fingers through the section to loosen the curl and softly pin into place.
6) Finish with a final touch of Oribe Superfine and place a flower on the side."
Gracie Silvas
Bella Salon and Spa
Austin, TX

Read the Article: What Would You Do: Knotted, Braided, Twisted Updo

"I would prime the hair with Paul Brown Hawai Mousse Gel. Divide the hair into three sections: from ear to ear to create the top section, and divide the bottom section diagonally to create the other two sections. Blowout each section and, while the hair is still hot, roll and pin. This will give body and bend to the hair. Unpin the bottom two sections and create two ponytails. Loosely fishtail braid each pony. Loosen them with your fingers and pull each over to the opposite side; while you do this, work them together to create the appearance of one braid. Pin and pull to create fullness. Loosely braid the top section and tuck into the bottom section. Spray with Paul Brown Hawaii Hapuna Aero spray to set in place."
Sandra Baliya
Mosaic Day Spa and Salon
Morganville, New Jersey