Get the look: messy festival braids

If you've got lots of clients heading to festivals this season, why not host a festi-ready hair session? Keep the salon open a couple of hours late, open up some bottles and demo a few easy to copy hairstyles - like these messy festival braids, as demonstrated by Great Lengths.

Messy Festival Braids

You will need: a curling tong or wand, a light finishing spray (we recommend I.C.O.N. Done), a straightening iron. 1. Before. Abi’s hair was prepared with 25, 40cm Great Lengths bonds in four different shades: 10 x lilac, 5 x silver, 5 x indigo and 5 x turquoise. 2. Brush hair thoroughly. Give the hair a little texture by tonging or waving. 3. When prepped, tease the curls/waves with your fingers for a soft finish. 4. Section the hair, taking five or six panels around the head, which you will plait. 5. Begin plaiting these chosen panels. We used a classic three-strand plait. 6. Seal each plait with a spritz of I.C.O.N Done, followed by clamping irons held on the ends for a few seconds. 7. Continue with this process, creating loose plaits and sealing at the ends. Don’t worry about being too neat. This look should feel fun and laidback. 8. When you have braided all the panels, consider adding additional texture. We created a few hair chains. Alternatively you could add charms or ribbon to the hair. 9. Finish by teasing the plaits to soften, and spritzing with I.C.O.N. Done for extra hold. Hair by Amanda Jackson for Great Lengths Make-up by Rosie Power   If you love this braided hairstyle by Great Lengths, you'll find lots more plaits and braids in the HJi gallery