By Giana Levy·Updated June 3, 2024
Braids are the ultimate go-to hairstyle for when you want to take a break from wearing natural hairstyles, especially during the summer.
Once the warmer weather hits, it’s almost like clockwork to see an influx of braided hairstyles. Despite the endless number of styles to try, one of the biggest benefits of braids is their protective elements. Protective styles will always be in the natural hair community’s back pocket for all curl types and textures.
While it’s fun to experiment and be creative with different curly hairstyles, it can get exhausting. From the extensive wash day routines to frequent manipulations, the peace of having braids is incomparable. The versatility, designs, lengths, and colors offer endless style opportunities.
Image Source: @marsaimartin
Braids are an art form that, at one point, was not as remarkably celebrated in pop culture as it is today. Now more than ever, braided hairstyles are celebrated across music, film, TV, sports, print, social media, and other mediums. Celebrities such as Gabrielle Union, Lupita Nyong’o, Kerry Washington, Marsai Martin, Janelle Monae, Tracee Ellis Ross, and other high-profile individuals wear braids on-screen and off.
With the help of mainstream media, other women have been empowered to wear braids in other industries opposite of the red carpet. Lawyers, news anchors, politicians, corporate employees, legal professionals, and others freely flaunt their braids online and in real life.
Some may view the increased representation of braids as another trendy moment worth joining. But for Black and other people of color, showing off their braids is an acceptance of African culture. With each new creative design and style exposed to the masses, another opportunity is presented that keeps African and Black culture alive.
If you need some braid inspiration, here are 20 culture-defining braided styles worn by society’s most influential people.
1. Beyonce – Lemonade Braids
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Beyoncé released her sixth studio album, “Lemonade” in 2016. Her “Formation” video featured the superstar in a series of braided hairstyles, including the well-known “Lemonade” braids.
2. Keke Palmer – Micro Braids
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@oscars It’s been 18 years since Keke Palmer taught us how to spell prestidigitation. Film: ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ (2006) Written and directed by Doug Atchison Starring: Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Curtis Armstrong #akeelahandthebee #kekepalmer #spellingbee #scrippsnationalspellingbee #prestidigitation #spelling #moviescene #film #angelabassett @kekepalmer
♬ original sound – The Oscars – The Oscars
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Keke Palmer starred in this film as a child and has since impacted the lives of many young girls and women. Throughout the film, she is seen wearing braided micro braids.
3. Storm Reid – Braided Crown
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During a 2022 visit to the “Kelly Clarkson Show,” actress Storm Reid took her followers backstage as she waited to make her special appearance.
4. Janet Jackson – Large Individuals
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@around.the.way.braids Edits Poetic Justice/Janet Jackson. With the black girl/woman you find in the 90s. These braids are everything! #janetjackson #boxbraids #braids #plaits #90sthrowback #poeticjustice
♬ original sound – 106 & Park
Image Source: @around.the.way.braids
Janet Jackson was the leading lady in the 1993 film Poetic Justice. The popularity of her box braids inspired fans to recreate the look, which is now a highly requested braided hairstyle.
5. Snoop Dogg – Braids and Bobos
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Snoop Dogg has never shied away from wearing braids. Braids are one of his signature looks that fans of the artists have grown to admire about him and his music.
6. Brandy – Box Braids
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Brandy is an icon for many reasons, especially regarding beauty and hair. She became the first Black princess to play “Cinderella” and, in the 1977 live-action musical, wore box braids as part of her costume.
7. Issae Rae and Yvonne Orji- Braided Space Buns
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Insecure served dozens of iconic styles courtesy of the amazing team behind the scenes. We saw Issa go from a TWA to fun, braided looks that put her coils front and center.
8. A$AP Rocky – Box Braids
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Image Source: @gq
Rapper A$AP Rocky unapologetically wears his hair in braids and has been doing so for years. He isn’t afraid to feature them in his projects, as he has previously done for the album cover of “Long. Live. A$AP.”
9. Rihanna – Anti Album Promo
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Rihanna will forever be famous for impacting the beauty, music, and fashion industry. Her Anti album was a cultural moment that changed her presence in pop culture, served iconic music, and showcased a range of beautiful looks.
10. Nipsey Hussle – Cornrows
Image Source: @nipseyhussle
Nipsey Hustle barely strayed away from his signature look: cornrows. Here, he is pictured in one of his last campaigns for his collection Marathon X Puma 2019.
11. Zoë Kravitz- Micro Braids
Image Source: @highfidelityonhulu
“High Fidelity” actress Zoë Kravitz is known for her signature bohemian Micro Braids and the versatile ways she styles them. For Hulu’s series adaptation of the classic 2000s movie, Zoë is front and center as an executive producer trying to get over a former flame.
12. Alicia Keys- Beaded Fulani Braids
Image Source: @aliciakeys
Alicia Keys is hair inspo for many stylists and clients who want to mimic the style that put her hair on the map. She debuted onto the music scene with her debut album The Songs In A Minor showcased her beautiful braided style on the album cover and breakout single “Fallin”.
13. Omarion – Braided Man Bun
Image Source: @omarion
Singer and actor debuted his braided Man Bun in 2016 and ushered in a new wave of people interested in recreating the style.
14. Allen Iverson – Cornrows
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@gq How AI decided on his braids before each game #GQ #StyleHistory #GQStyleHistory #SHOF #StyleHallOfFame #AllenIverson #AI #AI3
♬ original sound – GQ
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NBA player Allen Iverson was known for the creative designs of his cornrows, and he was just as famous for his basketball skills.
15. Aaliyah Edwards – Multi-colored Individuals
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WNBA player Aaliyah embraces color braids as she has been seen wearing bright colors throughout the basketball season.
16. Zaya Wade – Micro French Curl Braids
Image Source: Instagram
The model stunned wearing these Micro French Curl Braids during the 2024 Paris Fashion Week.
17. Tiffany Haddish, Braided Side Part
Image Source: @girltripmovie
To say Tiffany Haddish was a scene stealer in Girls Trip is an understatement. This movie marked the meteoric rise for this fabulous actress and comedian.
18. Zendaya – Bust Down Middle Part Individuals
Image Source: @zendaya
Zendaya can own any hairstyle she tries, including the middle part Knotless Individuals, which she wore in 2020. The iconic high fashion breastplate with her soft makeup perfectly balances chic and femininity.
19. Sha’Carri Richardson – Small Feed-In Braids
Image Source: @nike
The track star showed off her floor-length small Feed In Braids in one of her latest Nike x Jacquemus collection campaigns.
20. Yara Shahidi – Braided Ponytail
Image Source: @grownish
The “Grown-ish” and “Black-ish” actress added her own flair to the popular braided ponytail, featuring slicked-down edges and gold adornments at the base of the style.
Learn more from celebrity stylist Vernon Francois about refreshing your curls, braids, and locs this summer!
