Hair Inspo From Celebs Who Have Rocked Beautiful Braids

When it comes to timeless hairstyles, braids simply cannot be beat. They're so versatile that they can be worn during a beach vacation or on the red carpet, which many celebs have proven with their variety of plaits. Alicia Keys, for instance, has rocked everything from micro braids to large cornrows. "Hair is such a gorgeous expression of our individuality and deserves to be respected. I've always been proud of wearing braids and I love learning about the power of hair. I've always felt royal when I wear braids. There's something so beautiful about the Blackness of it, about my African ancestry that I just feel truly connected to," the "Girl on Fire" singer told Glamour.

With so many different types of braids, there's no shortage of celebrity styles to draw inspiration from. And, you don't have to have long hair to rock them, as shown by Amandla Stenberg's chic braided bob. If you're looking for a fresh new 'do or want a dreamy wedding guest coiffure, these stars' braids are sure to have you running to your favorite salon.

During her time at the White House, Michelle Obama kept her hair in a FLOTUS-friendly bob, but her style drastically changed after Barack Obama's term ended. 

Michelle's trendy braids proved she's never scared to experiment. She started out with micro braids in 2022 and went even bigger with a jumbo-sized plait that trailed down her back. Since embracing her new style, the mom of two has never looked back.

If you have plans for a mermaidcore summer, try rocking a fishtail braid a la Florence Pugh. The super laid-back look gets your long hair off your neck during the warmer months, while giving you an effortless boho aesthetic. With this style, you don't have to worry about perfection, and in fact, the messier the better. When you're finished braiding, simply pull out some strands and give your head a blast of hairspray to keep your handiwork in place.

Jaws dropped when Alicia Keys arrived at the 2025 Grammy Awards with her stately braided hairstyle complete with a bejeweled gold headpiece. The crown of her head was done up in small box braids that ended in a loose top bun, with the back of her hair braided into a long ponytail. Done by hair sculpturist Fesa Nu, Keys' elaborate style was truly a work of art, and the 17-time Grammy winner was definitely a "Girl on Fire" that night.

Jennifer Lopez has had a stunning hair transformation over the years, but one look that remains locked into our memory is her 2020 Golden Globes updo. The star wore her hair slicked back behind her head, with two braided crowns pulled to the top. The braids were a gorgeous alternative to a classic French twist, which looked absolutely impeccable.

Rihanna is just one of those celebrities who can pull off any look, and the Fulani braids she showed off at the 2019 British Fashion Awards proved this statement to be truer than ever. The tight cornrows at her crown gradually hung loosely down her nape, with the blunt ends just past the "Umbrella" singer's shoulders, showcasing her stunning cheekbones perfectly. "I didn't know I needed Rihanna in Fulani Braids ... but now I wonder how I survived [without] it," tweeted one fan. Refinery29 gushed, "Come on RIH!! Serve us the protective styles all winter."

Zoë Kravitz regularly rocks plaited hair, but the platinum-colored micro braids she debuted in 2017 perfectly captured her cool-girl persona. Referring to her now-signature look, the actor-singer told C Magazine in 2015 (via The Hollywood Reporter), "I originally did them as a joke, like an ode to the '90s." She continued, "[It] still feels important, I think, to be a brown girl with natural hair." We love the meaning behind her braids, and now, we can't picture Kravitz without them.

There's nothing more sophisticated than a classic bob, and Amandla Stenberg showed how to give the look a twist with all-over braids in a cherry cola hue. Parted in the middle, the "Dear Evan Hansen" actor's box braids dangled in neat rows and ended in loose curls. It turns out that Stenberg is a master at doing her own hair, as seen in a video with Vogue where she showcases her braiding skills using Kanekalon hair extensions. The star's handiwork was pretty impressive, even as she joked, "I know there's going to be professional braiders on YouTube like, 'What you doing, girl?'"