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While flowing long locks are always a beautiful sight, weaving your Rapunzel-like tresses into a simplistic mermaid braid can help you channel your inner princess. Whether you’re looking for an easy morning hairstyle which will last the day or hoping to bring whimsy into your Friday night hair statement, there’s nothing quite like a luxurious braid. Here are a few simple steps which will help you achieve a fuss-free mermaid side braid for either work or play.

1) Divide your locks and secure a face-framing section into place: Once your tresses are smooth and tangle-free, carefully pull a thick, face-framing segment of your hair back and fasten into place with a hairstyling clip. Next, offer yourself a hint of volume at the crown and use bobby pins to secure your subtle hair bump. Pull back another thin section right behind the first face-framing section, and clip into place as well.

2) Pull a thin segment of hair on either side into a half-up hairstyle: Take a thin section of hair from underneath your newly crafted hair bump, and tie this segment into a skinny half-up and half-down ponytail. Carefully flip the ponytail underneath and over again, to achieve a subtle twisted effect.

3) Create a series of woven thin ponytails on either side: Next, craft two matching skinny ponytails and secure them with clear elastic bands. Continue to create thin ponytails below the first pony, in order to achieve a woven side braided effect.

4) Make a thin side braid on one side: To keep up the intricate braided hairstyle, create a flat side braid against one side of your head. Let this plaited section of hair hang loose, and secure it in place temporarily with a bobby pin. After you’ve crafted your first braid, create a matching one right next to it.

5) Loosen the woven sections of your plait and combine your two new braids into the style: For a thick, pancaked effect, use your fingers to carefully loosen the sections of your woven side braid. Take your two face-framing skinny braids, and pin them back into your hairstyle. Use extra pins if you have naturally coarse or long locks.

6) Add texture and integrate the loose pieces into your braided hairdo: To complete your style, texturize and twist your free-falling locks on the other side of your head. Incorporate these strands into your new hairstyle by pinning them into place, and leave a few carefree wisps of hair free around your visage.