Zendaya’s Romantic Fishtail Braid For ‘The Odyssey’ Premiere
Zendaya’s Matières Fécales gown was always going to command attention at The Odyssey world premiere, but her hairstyle proved that the right beauty look can be just as memorable.
Created by celebrity hairstylist Coree Moreno, Zendaya’s softly textured fishtail braid delivered a romantic finish that complemented the sculptural elegance of her gown. A sleek, tightly styled updo would have made sense given the gown’s expansive feathered wings, but Moreno instead opted for a relaxed braid with wispy face-framing pieces and an airy texture that felt effortless while still being red-carpet ready.
The Inspiration
“The inspiration was modern romance with an effortless sensibility,” said Moreno.
“Zendaya’s gown had such an ethereal, sculptural presence that I wanted the hair to feel soft, lived-in, and full of movement. Rather than creating something overly polished, I focused on texture that felt naturally evolved throughout the day. The loose face-framing pieces and airy finish complemented the drama of the dress without competing with it.”
The result struck the perfect balance between elegance and ease, allowing the hairstyle to enhance the overall look while letting the gown remain the focal point.
How To Recreate Zendaya’s Hair
Moreno began by prepping damp hair with Nexxus Prep & Protect Heat Defense Spray, creating a smooth base while protecting the hair from heat styling.
After blow-drying for natural volume, he used a medium curling iron to create loose bends throughout the hair, alternating the direction of each section to keep the finish natural rather than uniform.
Once the curls had cooled, they were gently brushed through before Moreno used his fingers to separate the waves. Nexxus AIR SHAPE Workable Hold Texture Spray was then applied through the mid-lengths and ends to add airy texture, flexible hold and volume.
The hair was gathered into a relaxed fishtail braid, with sections gently loosened to create a fuller appearance. Soft pieces were left around the face to reinforce the romantic feel.
To complete the style, Moreno finished with Nexxus Maxximum Firm Hold Hairspray, locking everything in place while preserving a touchable finish.
Coree Moreno’s Pro Tip
“Don’t be afraid to pull out a few face-framing pieces – the beauty of this look is that it feels perfectly imperfect.”
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