How-To Video: French Fishtail Braid

Sam Villa, co-founder of Sam Villa and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken 5th Avenue, is famous for his braids. He is always discovering new and different ways to evolve traditional braids, knots and twists to make them new again. His latest is a French Fishtail Braid Up Style.

Villa starts with a fishtail braid and then gradually adds sections from the hairline to the braid before pinning into a beautiful up style.

Tips

  • Always pre texturize hair with the Sam Villa Signature Series Textur Professional Texturizing Iron to create modern texture and a solid foundation for the up style.
  • Use a heat protecting spray like Redken Iron Shape 11 to protect hair from thermal tools and to hold texture in.
  • Use the same tension and rhythm when braiding to ensure a consistent weave.
  • Slice first and then weave hair into opposite hand.
  • Pull the fishtail braid apart gently for bolder texture and volume.
  • Where hair is held is where the pin should be secured, weave the pin up and down before the last push into the hair.

“It’s all about simplicity, approaching traditional braiding techniques from a different perspective to make them fresh,” says Villa.

About: Sam Villa is co-founder of Sam Villa (Allvus, LLC), designedto bring “More Sam to More People.” The educational world of this Behind the Chair Stylist Choice Award Winner for Favorite Platform Artist and Educator (2012, 2011 and 2007), Favorite Overall Educator of the Year (2015) and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken 5th Avenue, can be experienced on https://www.samvilla.com/pro/. Stylists have access to “The Aspire Tour” digital education series and other hot tips and techniques, as well as Sam Villa Signature Series tools – brushes, combs, thermal tools and shears.