DIY Blake Lively's Braids For the Ultimate Showstopping Style

Blake's look is all about enhancing her naturally wavy texture. You want to start by rough-drying your hair with just your fingers, focusing on the roots for volume. When it comes to the tips, encourage texture by scrunching and squeezing the ends in your hands as you dry. Source: Benjamin Stone

Using a flat iron, pick up random pieces and create waves. Clamp a one-inch section in the iron. Give the hot tool a quarter-turn and then slide it down to the ends, keeping the plates closed. It's the same technique you would use to curl ribbon on a holiday present.

The top layer of hair should all float away from the face. Next, alternate direction as you get behind the ears and underneath for a beachier look. If your hair holds curls well, give the ends a tug while the strands are still warm. Hold for three seconds while it cools down. Then release to get a more relaxed wave. Source: Benjamin Stone

Finish off the style with a generous tousle. Grab a large section of hair, and fan it out away from the face. Slowly spritz on a dry texturizing spray, like L'Anza Dry Texture Spray ($28), as you let the hair fall through your fingers. Focus the product from midshaft to ends. Source: Benjamin Stone

Source: Benjamin Stone

Source: Benjamin Stone

Source: Benjamin Stone Photography, Getty

To really take these Blake-inspired waves to the next level, create a side part and add two or three random plaits of different sizes. Then, plait one larger fishtail braid on the side, starting near the nape. It's all about that bohemian vibe, so it can be a bit imperfect! Gather all the hair over one shoulder, and secure using bobby pins.

To create each individual fishtail, start by splitting a small section in half. Take a piece from the outer edge of the left piece and cross it into the middle, almost like you're doing a regular braid. That piece joins the inner portion of the right side. Repeat taking a sliver from the right, and so on. Make sure to watch our fishtail tutorial video for more instructions. Source: Benjamin Stone

To give the braids an undone look without completely ruining your gorgeous fishtail, you want to loosen up the fishtail before you plait all the way to the ends. Grab the very bottom of the unfinished braid and gently pull the loops up and out. Make sure to muss the hair on both sides. It's also easier if you start from the bottom and work your way up. "The more I lock it in, the harder it is to pull the hair loose," Carver said. "Just relax your grip below, pull, then you can open it up and create the messy texture." Source: Benjamin Stone

You don't even have to use a rubber band to seal this twist! This hack will seal the ends without the added tool. Just spritz the bottom of the braid with dry texturizing spray or hair spray, twist, and tease. "A texture product gives you grip and hold before you start the braid, and once you get to the bottom, backcomb then twist a little bit and backcomb. . . . It's almost like a minidreadlock." Source: Benjamin Stone

Source: Benjamin Stone

Source: Getty, Benjamin Stone Photography