Hair how-to: Cheryl Cole’s stunning waterfall plait at Cannes

Cheryl Cole wowed the Cannes Film Festival with her stunning hair look over the weekend.

The former Girls Aloud singer opted for a loose waterfall plait as she walked the red carpet for the Jimmy P. (Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian) premiere.

The Geordie star’s pretty plait looked soft and effortless against her more striking make-up and completed her glamorous look perfectly.

We spoke to haircare expert Errol Douglas MBE about how we can achieve Cheryl’s red-carpet look at home.

“The Waterfall is a very loose execution combining the "from under and over" manoeuvre of the fishtail with the thickness of a two strand plait,” Errol told us.

[Cannes Film Festival 2013 pictures]

Cheryl Cole’s stunning Cannes waterfall plait in three easy steps

1)    The first step is to divide the hair into two strands. Beginning just below the crown, weave your hair from underneath and wrap it over the top until the first string tie is just below the nape of the neck.  

2)    Next, gently each part of the finished plait to ‘ensure the the loose feel is slightly exaggerated,’ said Errol.

3)    Finish with a spritz of shine spray – Errol recommends Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray, £18.65 – to show off the condition of the hair.

So what is it about Cheryl’s plait that made it so picture-perfect on the red carpet?

“The crucial element to this look is the two tone warm chestnuts and browns in her colour,” he told us.

[Hair how-to: Freida Pinto’s The Great Gatsby inspired up-do at Cannes]

“It's given a loose plait definition and a red carpet presence.”

The loose black string ties complete the 29-year-old’s hairstyle with Errol saying they ‘add drama’ to the look while the square look ‘contrasts with the softness of braiding.’

Will you be trying out Cheryl’s fishtail plait? Let us know over on Twitter now.