This may be my last long hair how-to for a while … I just chopped my hair off! Can you believe it! I am excited to debut it soon. When I did have long hair (for 99% of my life), quick and easy updos were essential to know how to do quickly. I love this fishtail braided bun because it is a tad more interesting than a typical top knot yet is just as easy and effortless. Creating a fishtail braid takes practice but once you get the hang of it you’ll be able to do it as quickly as a French braid. Honest. Here’s the how-to!

Supplies: Hair spray (I like Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray), strong bobby pins, a thick hair tie, and a clear elastic hair tie.

Step One: Start with a mess of hair.

Step Two: Gather hair in a pony tail at the desired position of the bun. I like them a little higher, so I started this pony tail on top of the crown.

Step Three: Wrap hair in a thick elastic. Divide pony tail into two sections.

Step Four: Take a 1/2″ chunk from the outside of one of the two sections. Bring that 1/2″ chunk over the section it came from and add it to the other section.

Step Five: Take a 1/2″ chunk from the other section and bring it over to the first section. You will continue to only have two section, not three like in a typical braid.

Step Six: Continue taking 1/2″ chunks from the outside of the pony tail and adding it to the opposite section. Pull tightly as you go.

Step Six: Once you’ve reached the end of your tail, tie it with the clear elastic. Then mess up the braid by pulling it apart from the middle so it looks thicker and messier.

Step Seven: Wrap the braid around the base of your pony tail to create a bun. Secure with the pins. Spritz with hair spray and you’re done! Enjoy the summer heat without looking like a hot mess with sweaty hair sticking to your neck (my worst nightmare).