Shay Mitchell Fishtail Braid
Exclusive! DIY Shay Mitchell's Romantic Fishtail Braid
Whether you're going on a first date with a new Match.com stud or your thousandth with your significant other, you want the same thing out of your hairstyle: a pretty, romantic look that appears as if you tried . . . but not too hard. Flowing waves, braids, up, down — it's almost impossible to choose. That is, until JCP Salon and Matrix creative director, Nick Stenson, combined the best of all sexy-sweet hairstyles into one simple, unique look. And who would make a better model than braid queen Shay Mitchell? By wrapping a fishtail braid around the side of Shay's head while keeping some strands loose, Nick created a dressy-casual 'do that's sure to make your date do a double take. Click through to copy the look for your next big night out.
Prep damp, next-day hair with Matrix Biolage Blow-In Control ($16) to add flexible hold and give body to your strands.
After adding Matrix Biolage Smoothing Shine Milk ($16) to control frizz and flyaways, blow hair straight.
Separate your hair into three pieces, then tuck the center and right two-thirds out of the way. Begin fishtail braiding the remaining third: split this section into two, then take a piece from the left side and pass it to the right side. Repeat, alternating sides until your braid is complete.
Pin the braid's base securely to your head so it doesn't shift, then wrap it so it sits over your shoulder. Add pins for support as needed.
Take a segment of unbraided hair from the front of your hairline and pin to the fishtail, creating a side ponytail effect. Once this step is complete, it should appear from the left side that your hair is braided, but that your hair is down on the right.
Finish by curling ends with a wide-barreled curling iron like this one from Sultra ($130) to create soft, loose waves. Seal the style with Matrix Biolage Freeze Fix ($17).
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