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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.

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
02
Pony Up

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
03
Band Leader

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
04
2 of Hearts

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
05
Pretty Plait

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
06
Haute Hair

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
07
Haute Headband

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
08
Dancehall Queen

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
09
Perfect Pair

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
10
Cool Cornrows

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
11
Beautiful Braid

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
12
Sexy Starlet

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
13
French Kiss

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
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.

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
15
Hot Stuff

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
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.

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
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.

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
18
Awesome Accents

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
19
Sleek Chic

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
20
Haute Faux-Hawk

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

Hot Hair: Braids, Cornrows, Plaits
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