How To Master The Perfect Messy Braid Like Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson has become the queen of rocking backless gowns, and there's one accessory that helps her dresses stand out: her hair! We're pretty sure this lazy girl hair hack will never go out of style (thank goodness), which is why we caught up with Dakota's stylist on how to achieve an epically beautiful messy braid.

“We really wanted the focus to be on Dakota’s gorgeous dress,” Dove celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend tells Brit + Co. “We decided to keep her hair out of her face by doing a long, textured braid in the back.”

He started with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Root Boosting Spray on her damp roots (alternative option: Matrix Total Results High Amplify Wonder Boost Root Lifter) and then blew her hair out with a mixed bristle round brush. He set the top mohawk section with duck bill clips to create volume and sprayed a paddle brush with Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo before running it through the rest of her strands.

To create the plait, he twisted uneven sections of her locks into braids and twists, using dark bobby pins along the way to keep the loose bits secured. With the pony in place, he took out the duck bills and applied a bit of Dove Absolute Curls Crème Serum (alternative option: Dove Hair Therapy Breakage Remedy Leave-On Treatment) on the front pieces before pinning them back.

And voilà! A messy, put-together look that’s perfect for a red carpet, dinner, or a night in.

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This post has been updated.