Sasha Lane’s side fishtail

Shaking up her signature dreadlocks, Sasha plaited the lengths for an elegant red-carpet look. You can, too!

1 Prep your dreadlocks or box braids

This look works with dreads or box braids that are at least shoulder-length. Before you start, “mix a moisturising styling cream with a few drops of hair oil and smooth all over,” says Nai’vasha Johnson, the hairstylist behind the look that Sasha, star of American Honey, wore at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. TRY [4] Mizani Rose H2O Conditioning Hairdress (R183). “It makes braiding a lot easier, and the end result will be more polished.”

2

Create multiple braids Look closely and you’ll see that Sasha’s style is actually made up of four braids. Starting just above your left ear, fishtail braid a small section (weave single dreads over one another toward the centre) along your hairline and secure with an elastic over your right shoulder. Add a second fishtail braid 3cm behind the first, and then a third. Secure all three in place with [5] Donna Bobby Pins (R31.95 for pack of 120). Now make a fourth braid with the rest of your hair across the back and use an elastic to tie everything into a low side ponytail.

3

Bring out wisps First, add definition by using a comb to twirl baby hairs into coils along the hairline and the nape of the neck. Then use your fingers to dab a bit of gel on hair and fluff up random sections all over with a toothbrush. Finally, wrap a strand of Swarovski crystals around the elastic and spritz lightly with styling oil, like [6] OGX B5 Weightless Oil Mist (R169).