Braided Beauties: All The Best Styles From ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood 2026

The 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event will be available to stream on ESSENCE’s YouTube starting Saturday, March 14: Watch Here.

Yesterday, our favorite stars in entertainment arrived at ESSENCE’s 19th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards in sunny Los Angeles. While we saw iconic bixie cuts on Zendaya and Marsai Martin, and a fabulous blonde blowout on Laverne Cox, braids were obviously the hottest cultural statement on the blue carpet. 

Chloe Bailey, for one, braided her locs into a single jumbo braid which swung all the way past her knees (similar to Tia Mowery). Hannah Beachler—who was apart of the Luminary Spotlight for her role in Sinners—had the front of her hair braided into folds while the back was put up into a tight bun. Meanwhile, honoree Chase Infiniti had soft braids to replicate the texture of her knit gown, which took the form of a side swoop. 

Other attendees preferred more classic braid style. For MAAD, a set of straight backs made for a chic beauty moment; pick-and-drop braids on Maria Sten and Miatta Johnson continued a trend we spotted at Paris Fashion Week; and, Kandi Buress’ daughter, Riley, reminded us how popular the hybrid braid sew-in look is (even with natural hair). And, we can’t forget Yvonne Orji, whose small braids were the most sculpted we saw from the ceremony, all folded into a ponytail from different directions.

Below, check out the best celebrity braided styles from ESSENCE’s 19th Annual Black Women for your spring appointment. 

Chloe Bailey

Hannah Beachler

Yvonne Orji

Maria Sten

Chase Infiniti

Lynae Vanee

MAAD

Ryan Michelle Bathe

Tia Mowry

Blair Imani

Kelley L. Carter

Contessa Gayles

Amanda Baker-Lane

Miatta Johnson

Shaun Ross

Riley Burruss