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Home · News

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits

What's more popular than vampires and more universally flattering than Spanx? Braids! They're everywhere right now, and the style comes in a zillion different varieties. Whether they're rocking Pocahontas plaits, braided buns, fishtail ponies, cornrows -- or some fashion forward hair hybrid -- these trendsetting A-listers have the look down pat.
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
What About Bob?

Vanessa Simmons rocks a choppy bob with a cool braided section in the front. Love.

02
Pony Up

Selita Ebanks rocks an intricate, French-braided plait swept over one shoulder.

03
Band Leader

Ravyn Symone wore a side bun and a chic braided headband to the NAACP Theatre Awards.

04
2 of Hearts

At the BET Awards, pint-size trendsetter Willow Smith sculpted a heart out of her micro-braids.

05
Pretty Plait

Always edgy, Eve paired a side plait with a bouffant pompadour.

06
Haute Hair

At Fashion Week, Angela Simmons added oomph to her blowout with two tiny cornrows in front. So chic.

07
Haute Headband

At the “What’s Your Number” premiere, Tika Sumpter rocked a super-elegant braided headband over her sleek ’do.

08
Dancehall Queen

Solange Knowles has single-handedly brought back ’90s-era, Patra-style braids — and we love it!

09
Perfect Pair

Alicia Keys paired a deliberately messy fishtail ponytail with bright crimson lips — so stunning.

10
Cool Cornrows

Stunning songstress Goapele looks elegant in tiny cornrows and a decorative headpiece.

11
Beautiful Braid

Zoe Saldana accentuates her soft waves with a loosely braided “hair”-band.

12
Sexy Starlet

With her lush micro-braids and scarlet lips, Joy Bryant caused quite a stir at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

13
French Kiss

Selita Ebanks adds a French braid along her hairline, which leads into her loose, braided bun.

14
Half n’ Half

Jill Scott created a faux “side shave” moment by gathering one side of her hair into tiny, precise cornrows, letting the rest of her tresses fly free.

15
Hot Stuff

Tracee Ellis Ross beats the heat by rocking two cornrows going down each side of her head. Cool-looking and chic!

16
French Kiss

At the Met Ball, Rihanna took the side plait one step farther by including a French braid along her hairline. So chic.

17
Eva Peron-Pretty

In the past year, Chrisette Michele went from bald to bleach blonde to amber microbraids. We love this sophisticated, Eva Peron-esque style.

18
Awesome Accents

Sanaa Lathan accentuates her oversize bun by wrapping a braided piece around the base. So elegant!

19
Sleek Chic

Paula Patton uses a skinny, braided headband to hold back her sleek ’do. So clever!

20
Haute Faux-Hawk

At a recent awards show, Jada Pinkett Smith rocked a faux-hawk pompadour created entirely of cornrows.

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