Get the look: Messy fishtail braids at Alice + Olivia SS17
Runway-worthy braids, we're coming for you!
If we had to choose one of our all time favourite types of braids to see on the runway, it would have to be fishtail braids. Not only do they look utterly romantic and whimsical, but they can be whipped up in a matter of minutes! So, you can imagine that we were pleasantly surprised when we saw that messy, inverted fishtail braids were the hairstyle of the day at the Alice + Olivia spring/summer 2017 show.
Stacey Bendet’s collection for Alice + Olivia was set in the Gardens of Bomarzo in Rome and gave the collection an ethereal, earthy feel – which the inverted fishtail braids reflected perfectly. Our beauty editors over in New York went backstage and watched TRESemmé‘s Jeanie Syfu like a hawk, to see exactly how she created these stunning plaits, all so that we could share it with you!
How to get messy inverted fishtail braids
Step 1: Apply 1-2 pumps of the TRESemmé Perfectly (un)Done Wave Creating Sea Foam (£5.50*) to damp hair to give it a slightly airy appearance. Then, either blowdry your hair or let it air dry naturally (if you have the time!).
Step 2: Use a paddle brush to detangle your hair. Then, take a one and a quarter inch wide curling tong and curl your hair to create loose, flowing waves.
Step 3: Tease your hair near the roots to add texture and volume.
Step 4: Part your hair down the centre, then, working on one section at a time, create an inverted fishtail braid. To do this, start by diving your section of hair into two smaller sections. Take a small section of hair from the outside of the left section, and cross it behind the rest of your hair. Repeat this with the right section, crossing it behind the left section. Continue this process until you’ve reached the end of your strands. Then secure with a hairband, and repeat this process on the other side.
Step 5: To distort the shape of your fishtail braids so that they resemble the Alice + Olivia ones, add another hairband into the mid-lengths of your braid on each side, to segment it.
Step 6: To make your inverted fishtail braid appear more whimsical and laid-back, gently pancake your hair to loosen some strands. To do this, simply tug at areas of your plait to loosen the hair. Remember to pull a few tendrils free near the front, so that they perfectly frame your face!
Step 7: Finish with a spritz of TRESemmé Perfectly (un)Done Ultra Brushable Hairspray (£5.50*) to help hold your romantic braids in place all day. And that’s all there is to it really – runway worthy locks in 7 simple steps!
If you loved the ethereal look Jeanie created for Alice + Oliva, then you’ll simply adore the ‘dos she created at the Rebecca Minkoff and Marissa Webb SS17 shows! Also, for more backstage buzz and expert advice, check out our interview with celebrity hairstylist Orlando Pita.
*RRPs are Unilever suggested retail prices only, it is at the discretion of the individual retailers to set the actual price.
