Braided Beauties: Celebs Embrace Pretty Plaits

Jada Pinkett-Smith gathers her braids back into a low, loose ponytail at a red carpet event in Hollywood.

Alicia Keys accents her sexy, voluminous waves with a skinny braid at the hairline. So chic.

Malaak Compton Rock wears hip-length braids on date night with her hubby, Chris.

Adorable Zoe Kravitz hits the red carpet wearing a loose, messy-on-purpose side braid.

Ciara, rocking a head full of thick, gorgeous cornrows, throws up the peace sign at a recent basketball game.

Paula Patton accents her elegant bouffant with a thin, braided headband.

We’re not sure how Erykah Badu balances those poufy balls on her head while she plays the keyboards, but we do know that her neat cornrows are beyond beautiful.

Jordin Sparks’ off-duty look is so cute: sunglasses, a denim dress, and slightly mussed Pocahantas braids.

Melyssa Ford showed up to a VH1 party wearing gorgeous, intricate cornrows swept over one shoulder.

Jennifer Hudson takes the stage wearing tiny braids pulled back into a sleek, tidy bun.

Tyra Banks isn’t all weaves and wigs, all the time. Here, she wears her hair in low-maintenance cornrows, and she’s never looked lovelier.

With her statement-making bun and braided accent, Beyonce nails this high-glam, fancy-night-out look.

At a recent red carpet event, Brandy swept her signature micro-braids back into a glorious, thick ponytail.