1. Prep your hair with a heat protectant to replenish moisture and avoid burning, and then straighten for easy braiding. To start, tie your hair into a ponytail at the nape of your neck with an elastic. This will give you more control while braiding. At the end, cut this elastic.

2. Part your hair at the centre or side and pull it over the shoulder. Brush out your hair, so that there are no tangles, and divide into two sections. Unlike the classic plait, a fishtail braid only requires two sections.

3. Use your fingers to separate a small section of the hair from the outer edge of one section and cross it over to the other side (overlapping just like you would if you were doing a standard braid). Re-grip your hair to tighten plait, holding onto the two sections, repeat with a small section from the other side.

4. Continue overlapping pieces from both sides of your ponytail, all the way down to the ends. Be sure to pull small sections from underneath to cross over, and try to grab sections of about the same thickness from each side. Secure the braid tightly with a hair tie. Finish off with a hair spray for shine and hold.