Fishbone Braids Instructions

Fishbone braids, also called the Herringbone Braids, are moderately simple braids. However, when done on African-American hair, these braids can be a bit more difficult. When working on African American hair, you must use a gentle touch because black hair is fragile and may break if handled roughly.

When creating the fishbone braids, it is important to maintain consistent tension on the hair. When working with African American hair, you will want to use a large-toothed comb to avoid pulling the hair out when combing it. It is best to first practice creating the braid, then work on created a smooth version of it by keeping the hair pulled taut.

Steps for Herringbone Braids

1. First, smooth and straighten the area of hair that is to be braided so that it is straight and tangle-free using a straightening iron. Gather the smoothed and straightened hair in the left hand and separate it into to sections with the left index finger. Use the right hand to pull the sections apart.
2. Next, gather a section of hair from the right side, bring it over the index finger and add it to the left side section while holding it between your index finger and thumb.
3. Then take both strands into the right hand, take a small section of hair from the left side, and pull it over the index finger and add it to the strands of hair on the right side. Also, hold this section of hair between the index finger and thumb.
4. Next, take both strands into the left hand and continue moving sections of hair from the right side to the left side until all of the hair has been brought into the braid. The left section should be in the left hand and the right section should be in the right hand.
5. Next, put the right index finger, palm up, through the back of the right strand, and separate a portion of hair from the strand.
6. Next, turn the right hand palm down and add the new section to the left hand. Use the left index finger to pull a section from the back of the left strand. With the left palm down, add the new section to the right section of hair.
7. Repeat the previous two steps until you reach the end of the braid.
8. Finally, fasten your fishbone braids with an elastic hair band or barrette.

It is important to moisturize African American hair frequently, especially when it is braided. Don't use mousse, gels or hair sprays because the will weaken and dry the hair. Instead, use leave-in conditioners and styling lotions. While wearing your braids, you should only shampoo your hair once a week. If you wash it more often than that, you may strip out natural, essential oils. Between washes, it is fine to rinse you hair with warm water and apply a leave-in conditioner.

It may take one or two tries to get the fishbone braids exactly how you like them. It is a matter of keeping the right tension, but not being too rough, but once you've perfected the technique you'll find you really like them.

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