Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • Hair

See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year

These cornrows are anything but boring.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
By Jennifer Ford · Updated October 23, 2020
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
From floor-length ombre braids to technicolored-yarn locs, flamboyant protective hairstyles are having a moment in 2018. Cornrows, the most classic braid of them all, have even been turned up a notch. What’s better is that celebrity hairstylists have taken these next-level braids to even higher heights with some of the most creative variations we’ve seen to date.
5807232017001
And while it’s unlikely that you’ll get to book an appointment with these Hollywood hair slayers anytime soon, you can at least draw inspiration for your next look from the coolest cornrows worn by your fave stars this year. Check them out below.
01
Alicia Keys
The beauty of cornrows is that you don’t require many to up your hairstyle’s wow factor. Here, three add a chic flair.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
02
Issa Rae
We love these gorgeous cornrows on the Insecure star.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
03
Lupita Nyong’o
It’s safe to say that the actress has a thing for pineapple, whether it’s in the form of a couture clutch or the braided updo, which is typically styled with free-flowing curls atop one’s head. The star’s hairstylist Michael David reinvented the look with cornrows and intricately pinned braids.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
04
Nafeesa Williams
Playing a superhero is hard work, but the Black Lightning actress handles it with incredible style, thanks to these sleek braids.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
05
Bozoma Saint John
The chief marketing officer at Endeavor has a crown worthy of all its glory.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
06
Ciara
What’s better than getting your strands done in the Motherland? Needless to say, the singer’s French braids and vacation in Cape Town, South Africa, are goals.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
07
Nia Long
The actress set the bar high for summer when she debuted these fabulous cornrows back in May.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
08
Chante Adams
Earlier this year celebrity hairstylist Lacey Redway adorned the Roxanne, Roxanne star’s crown with these beautiful cornrows and curls.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
09
Gabourey Sidibe
The Empire actress graced our timeline back in March with this accessorized look.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year
10
FKA Twigs
No one does artsy cornrows better than the “Good to Love” singer.
See How These Beautiful Black Celebrities Have Worn Cornrows (So Far!) This Year