Mermaid Braids
Mermaid braids are fishtail-based braids that get pancaked, meaning the outer edges are pulled wide so the braid fans out like a tail. This board collects them by placement and occasion - long, side, half-up, waterfall, boho, wedding, prom and festival - plus blonde versions and braids finished with loose curls. The technique pages are where the detail sits: an easy method for beginners, a full step-by-step, and a mermaid versus boho braid comparison. Throughout you will find the small fixes that decide whether the braid holds, from texture spray on slippery hair to a clear elastic that disappears in photos where a colored one shows. Save the braids you want to try this weekend.
Best for: Weddings, prom, festivals and anyone who wants a braid that looks thicker than their hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mermaid braid?
A mermaid braid is a fishtail braid that has been pancaked - the outer loop of each crossover is gently tugged wide so the braid fans out and reads like a mermaid tail. The base technique is a two-section fishtail, not a three-strand braid, which is why it looks so finely woven.
How do you make a mermaid braid look fuller?
Pancake it. Tug the outer edge of each crossover a few millimeters at a time, working from the bottom of the braid upward so the sections above do not collapse as you go. Curling the hair loosely before you braid adds the volume that makes the finished braid look thick.
Do mermaid braids work on fine hair?
Yes, and they are one of the best options for it, because pancaking makes a thin braid look far wider than the hair actually is. Fine or freshly washed hair slips, so work on day-two hair or add texture spray first, and secure the end with a clear elastic.