If there’s one trend that’s held steady over the last few years, it’s the boxer braid. If you love the look but want to add an eye-catching update, finish your style with a fishtail. The boxer braid fishtail is the perfect twist on the classic style, and takes any ‘do to new levels of mermaid. To find out how to DIY, we turned to Naeemah LaFond, Global Artistic Director at amika for her expert steps.

(image via Pinterest)

HOW TO GET THE BOXER BRAID FISHTAIL

Step 1:

Apply Heat Defense Serum ($30, loveamika.com) to help detangle the hair.

Step 2:

Create a clean center part.

Step 3:

Apply Haute Mess Texture Gel ($24, loveamika.com) to base of hair at the parting and hairline, then brush hair towards its respective side.

Step 4:

Starting at the very front of the hairline, begin to braid the hair into a cornrow by dividing the hair into three small sections. Pass the right section under the middle section, and then the left section under the middle section, while adding hair into each before bringing it under.

Step 5:

Continue braiding, adding in larger sections as your progress down the braid.

Step 6:

End your cornrow about two inches past the nape of the neck, and then split the three sections of the original braid into to two equal sections to begin your fishtail. To create the braid, take a small section from the back of the left section and bring it to the front to combine it with the right side. Take a small piece from the back of the right side and bring it to the front and combine with the left side. Fishtail down through the lengths of the hair.

Pro tip: Naeemah varies the style between a super tight fishtail to a looser fishtail, to create inconsistencies for a more relaxed look.

Step 7:

Depending on the hair length, finish the braid several inches above the ends of the hair. Secure the end of the braid with a small clear elastic.

Step 8:

Wrap a small piece of the hanging hair around the elastic to conceal it.

Step 9:

Add some texture to the fishtails by massaging the braids and pulling at them from the sides.

Step 10:

Use a 25mm wand to curl the ends of the hair and apply Un.Done Texture Spray ($24, loveamika.com) to those ends to create a bit of separation and to add a matte finish.

Looking for more DIY braidspo? Click here to see how celeb stylist Justin Marjan creates a one of a kind topknot.