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The Editors
Updated on February 07, 2021

The mermaid braid is one of the latest, trendiest braiding trends to sweep the hairstyling landscape. It’s essentially a French braiding technique, meaning that it’s also necessary to know how to do a French plait first. After that, the mermaid style is simplicity itself. It just involves using smaller, thinner strands of hair to create the braid and leaving unplaited hair showing through the spaces. After that, it’s easy to master a variety of mermaid braiding techniques and variations.

Mermaid Braid Hairstyles – Ideas and Inspiration

Whenever a new hairstyle appears on the horizon, hair enthusiasts instantly create their own takes on the trend. It’s no different with the mermaid downdo. Well, having looked through the gallery below, who knows what you may come up with, right?

1. Mermaid Crown

This mermaid plait begins with a crown fit for an undersea princess. The tail of the braided headband naturally works its way into the long, cascading 4-strand mermaid tail. This may take some practice, and an extra pair of hands.

Mermaid Braid With A Ribbon Braid

Instagram / @braidsbyjordan

2. Mermaid Fishtail with Hair Flowers

Don’t try mastering this masterpiece until successfully learning how to do a mermaid braid. This take on the style involves a small, delicate fishtail braid, so it uses two braiding patterns in one. Thanks to the slender strips of hair pulled into the fishtail, the mermaid technique is still in place.

3. Mermaid with a Fishtail

Fishtail braids are gorgeous and, fortunately, they’re not hard to figure out. A slender fishtail runs down the center of this longer mermaid tail plait. The result is a hairdo that goes beyond the boundaries of the Boho chic land and verges to the fairytale territory.

4. Over-the-Shoulder Mermaid

This side-swept mermaid side braid gives off Disney princess vibes like nobody’s business. The braid begins with a French plait along the hairline. It’s better for long hair so that all the hair gathers to the side, but ladies with shorter hair can always secure stubborn, slipping strands with bobby pins.

Side Mermaid Braid

Instagram / @lilithmoonlife

5. Twisted Mermaid

This mermaid braid lives up to its name. See the way the plaits are twisted so they look like rope? It’s a good idea to follow a step by step tutorial when recreating a style like this, simply because there are so many different elements. This braid will turn heads no matter what, though.

RELATED POST: How to Do a Rope Braid

Messy Mermaid Braid For Ombre Hair

Instagram / @braids_in_action

6. Flawless Mermaid Tail

For a stunning example of a flawless mermaid braiding, look no further. This braid is the epitome of perfection. It’s flawlessly and evenly executed, and the hair left loose beneath the braid at the top comes together to join in seamlessly at the end. Just gorgeous.

Tightly Braided Mermaid Braid

Instagram / @hairbyjaxx

7. Unicorn Meets Mermaid

The fantastic cotton candy colors blend in this variation on the mermaid ‘do to create the ultimate unicorn hairstyle. This take on the trend relies on French braiding. The secret is to keep the strands thick but loosely plaited.

Pastel Hair In A Mermaid Braid

Instagram / @pinupjordan

8. Mermaid Inception Braid

Pay close attention because there’s a surprise hiding inside of this mermaid tail braid. See it? Two of the strands used to plait it are made of braids themselves. That adds a beautiful level of detail and texture to any braid, especially a glorious purple one like this. Tip: secure the ends of the braid with bobby pins to pull off a true mermaid tail look.

9. Double Half-Up Braid

At first sight it probably looks like the instructions for this braid are impossible to follow, but this double plait is surprisingly easy. The two braids are more or less separate, with the thicker, higher braid hiding beneath the mermaid half-braid.

Half Up Fishtail Braid

Instagram / @missysueblog

10. Nostalgic Knotted Mermaid

First of all, how ‘90s are those butterfly clips? Secondly, they also help hold this work-of-art together. The knotting technique makes this amazingly easy to recreate, but the design may take some practice if you haven’t tried a chain braid before.

Mermaid Braid With Chain Braid

Instagram / @braidsbyjordan

11. Mermaid with Everything Else

There’s a lot going on in this mermaid braid. It looks more complicated – and more intimidating – than it actually is, although a tutorial probably wouldn’t hurt. The main components include the thick braid at the top and the two side fishtails. At some point, everything gets mixed, but looking at this picture it’s easy to figure out where and when the fishtails are brought into play.

Creative Mermaid Braid For Long Hair

Instagram / @christinakreitel

12. Waterfall to Mermaid

This is a lovely example of how to combine a mermaid and a waterfall braid. The waterfall braid is small and elegant, a detail that adds to the loose, thick plait beneath. No doubt this braid is Rapunzel approved.

Loose Mermaid Braid For Long Hair

Instagram / @alanna_kerastase

13. Magical Mermaid Mix

A delicate waterfall braid begins it all. The strands flowing through the waterfall are fed into the mermaid. The tresses are perfectly swept into the plait which then becomes a single half-braid. The curls like the ripples on the sea surface, add even more va-va-voom.

Half Up Mermaid Braid With Curls

Instagram / @hair_by_pelerossi

14. Mermaid Hair for Days

Any mermaid braid is gorgeous on its own, but combined with complementary mermaid colors and eye-catching accents, it’s three times as stunning. This is also proof that a messy mermaid is just as pretty as an immaculate one.

Blue And Teal Mermaid Braid

Instagram / @liz.colors

15. Elegant Blonde Mermaid

This braid starts out low and sleek. The execution is flawless, so each strand is nearly uniform in size, creating a lovely pattern over the loose hair underneath. Thick braids like this are ideal for both long and medium-length straight hair.

Mermaid Braid For Long Straight Hair

Instagram / @braidbyc

16. Mermaid’s Hairpiece

This will take a lot of practice, but it’s worth it. Part mermaid plait, part waterfall braid, the pattern is actually repeated most of the way around. This is like a DIY headpiece when it’s finished — a beautifully braided cowl.

Asymmetrical Double Mermaid Braid

Instagram / @hair_by_lori

17. Braided Mermaid Mohawk

The French braid here creates its own faux hawk. Thanks to the ombre coloring, the added side braids and the strands being fed into the main plait at different angles, a gorgeous dimensional effect comes out to introduce a unique example of the mermaid braid.

18. Boho Half-Braid

The center part and the loose waves make this the perfect hairstyle for any Boho chic girl. Notice how the hair in front disappears under the mermaid weaving. A side part would look pretty, too, but it’s more appropriate for a side braid.

Easy Half Up Mermaid Braid

Instagram / @hair_by_pelerossi

19. 3D Mermaid Plait

This is the standard of mermaid braiding, except for one thing – the braid itself. It’s thicker and more textured than other mermaid plaits, because it’s the Dutch braid famous for its lacy finish.

Dutch Mermaid Braid

Instagram / @hairbymatilda

20. Messy Curly Mermaid

Thick, messy mermaid braids always look intricate, even if they’re easy to create. The curls help add volume, so it’s worthwhile to add a few waves and ringlets to improve the texture of your hair before you begin working on the style.

There are so many braiding styles to choose from, but the mermaid look is having a moment. In addition to being trendy and on-point, it’s also simple to master and lends itself well to experimentation and variation. Ready to give the mermaid braid a try?