• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya – Digital Cover
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Method Man – Digital Cover
    • Zazie Beetz – Digital Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya – Digital Cover
    • Cardi B and Offset – Print Cover
    • Method Man – Digital Cover
    • Zazie Beetz – Digital Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
    • Sponsors
    • Fest Videos
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Hair

The Summer of Braids

Braids have been getting a lot of shine this summer, from lengthy grey micros to burgundy twists. Here are a few of our favorite low maintenance looks to get your through the rest of summer, and ready for fall!
By Nicole Marie Melton · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Jumbo Braids

When it comes to summer braids, we opt for the bigger the better. Try long, jumbo braids like Janelle Monae. 

The Summer of Braids
Getty Images
02
Fit For a Queen

Michelle Williams looks regal with her Senegalese pulled up in a high bun. 

The Summer of Braids
Michelle Williams Instagram
03
Tried and True

Tracee Ellis Ross is a huge fan of pulling her natural curls back into prairie braids and frankly, we love seeing her rock this look.

The Summer of Braids
04
The Perfect Hue

Monica’s got a new ‘do and a new hue!  These lengthy merlot micros are super low-maintenance and perfect for transitioning into fall.

The Summer of Braids
Monica Brown Instagram
05
Half n’ Half

Jill Scott’s faux “side shave” ’do can be turned into a get-up-and-go style by gathering all of your natural hair into tiny, precise cornrows, and adding loosely waved extensions that fall to one side.

The Summer of Braids
06
Long Locs

Zoë Kravitz gives us braid envy with waist-length hair.  

The Summer of Braids
Instagram
07
Braided Bombshell

Box braids are back and better than ever so take your cues from Eva Marcille who whipped up her pretty plaits into a stunning topper at the Roc Nation Pre-Grammy Brunch.

The Summer of Braids
08
Cute Cornrows

Regina King attended a photocall for the TV series Southland wearing fancy cornrows that are perfect for the beach, too.

The Summer of Braids
09
Waist-Lenth Locks

Kandi Burrus attended the opening of her new series The Kandi Factory in flowing, waist-length braids with loose ends.

The Summer of Braids
10
Over the Top

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

The Summer of Braids
11
Twisted Elegance

During a performance at the Summer Block Party in July, Jill Scott switched up her look by adding in twisted extensions swept into an unique updo.

The Summer of Braids
12
Remix Your Topknot

Naturi Naughton put a new spin on the braids trend when she arrived at the Sparkle premiere in Hollywood. This style shows that protective styles can be dressed up for an elegant look, too.

The Summer of Braids
13
Pretty Plaits

A few years ago, Beyonce traveled to Old Havana, Cuba for her fifth wedding anniversary. While there, she sported waist-length braids which she styled in this intricate topknot.

The Summer of Braids
AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa
14
Top of the Class

Solange Knowles brought back her braids at the The Miu Miu Galleria opening in Houston and whipped them up into a fierce, oversized topknot.

The Summer of Braids
Federico Villamayor for www.culturemap.com
15
Going Glam

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

The Summer of Braids
16
Flashback ‘Do

After nearly two decades in the music industry, Brandy recently returned back to the hairstyle she helped make trendy in the Nineties.

The Summer of Braids

Read More

Why KYU NYC Is New York’s Most Fashionable New Restaurant
Fashion
What To Wear To NYC's Most Stylish New Restaurant — KYU NYC
15 Photos Of Will & Jada Packing On The PDA
Black Celeb Couples
15 Photos Of Will & Jada Packing On The PDA
Capri Sun Recalls Thousands Of Drink Pouches Due To Possible Contamination
News
Capri Sun Recalls Thousands Of Drink Pouches Due To Possible...
Gymnast Gabby Douglas Is Taking A Break From Social Media: ‘I Want To Feel Light And Happy Again’
Lifestyle
Gymnast Gabby Douglas Is Taking A Break From Social Media: '...
Early Fall Boot Shopping? We Recommend These 12 Styles
Shop
Early Fall Boot Shopping? We Recommend These 12 Styles
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2022 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now