20 Eye-Catching Goddess Braids Hairstyles to Inspire Your Next Look

Both goddess braid hairstyles and cornrows look stunning in all types of braiding styles. You can wear both in an updo, low bun, ponytail, high bun, pigtails—the possibilities are endless. “The main difference between goddess braids and regular cornrows is the size,” says Foster. “Goddess braids are usually 4-5 large thick braids, whereas regular cornrows tend to be much smaller and there are a lot more in the head.” Just like with any type of cornrow hairstyle, the length of time it takes to get your goddess braids done depends mostly on the skill of your braider and how detailed of a style you’re trying to achieve. It can take as little as 30 minutes or as long as three hours. But the time and effort is worth it as your chunky braids can last up to six weeks.

Thinking goddess braids could be your next braided hairstyle? Get all the inspiration from these gorgeous celebrity looks!

1. Goddess Braid Updo

Zendaya’s goddess braid updo goes flawlessly with her fancy dress. This braided updo features only a few chunky braids and perfectly laid baby hairs. With a style like this, there’s a ton of focus on your makeup. Play around with bold brows and loads of lashes, just Zendaya did.

2. Goddess Braid Mohawk

Want to give your goddess braids a little edge? This mohawk on actress Danai Gurira is equal parts pretty and edgy. This mohawk is basically multiple ponytails in one, with hair extensions added to give it more volume and length. The eye-catching braided hairstyle also features a cool zigzag part, and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever you wear it.

3. Low Ponytail

Gabrielle Union is a cornrow-queen and these pulled-back goddess braids in a low ponytail are no different. These cornrows aren’t as chunky as some goddess braids, but still more so than typical cornrows. The super polished hair parts make it a chic style for every occasion.

4. Colorful Wrapped Braids

Instead of curly ends, model Jourdan Dunn chose colorful wraps for the bottoms of her braids. Dunn’s festive beauty look and outfit are complemented by her colorful goddess braids that add an effortless, fun vibe. We’d say she more than nailed it.

5. Blinged-Out Low Bun

For the Grammys, Alicia Keys took her goddess braids to a totally new level with a bejeweled accessory on her low bun. Either way, the red carpet-ready braided hairstyle was made even more interesting with perfectly styled hairs all around her crown. Could she be more stunning?

6. Goddess Side Braid

Expect Issa Rae to pull out all the glam stops with a chunky goddess side braid that’s fit for a queen. The knot in the middle of her head starts a long braid that goes all the way down past her chest. If you look closely, you’ll see there’s more than one braid here. There’s also a super-skinny braid weaved into the chunky braid. So pretty and totally unique.

7. Parted Ponytail

Rihanna did not come to play with this parted goddess braid ponytail. Instead of even cornrows along the crown, her braider created a deep side part and worked the braids back and to the side. Then, the rest of the hair was pulled into an easy ponytail. It’s a low-maintenance look that can easily take you from glam night out Sunday funday.

8. Long Goddess Braids with Charms

Lupita Nyong'o didn’t just add any charms to her long goddess braids. Nyong'o’s charms sparkle in the light and turn more simple braids into something spectacular. The actress’s goddess braids are on the thinner side, which is a perfect hairstyle for charms like these.

9. Low Buns

Instead of just going for one low bun or even double buns, actress Megalyn Echikunwoke rocked tiny braided buns all around the nape of her neck. Her goddess braids are chunky and perfect for wrapping into a bun. This style is great for medium-length hair types. You don’t need a lot of length to wrap the ends of the braid into chic little knots.

10. Goddess Braid Headband

You can actually take one of your thick goddess braids and wrap it right around your head to create a headband. Tessa Thompson rocked the hairstyle with ease, with only a few long goddess braids hanging down. This braided hairstyle looks laid-back but glam and will continue to gain popularity as headbands are seen on anyone and everyone.

11. Sky-High Ponytail

Amandla Stenberg already had an eye-catching goddess braid hairstyle with varying shades of blue including bright and navy. Pulling the braids into a high ponytail made their hair even more glam for the red carpet. This way, you can really see their killer black-and-gold cat eye makeup. There’s no missing any part of this braided updo and sparkly makeup.

12. Symmetrical Part

Not all goddess braids need to go straight back. Laura Harrier’s braids go out from one part and are perfectly symmetrical all the way down. It might look like a simple goddess braid hairstyle, but there’s magic in its simplicity and order.

13. Skinny Goddess Braids with Charms

Kerry Washington chose so many chic little details for her long goddess braids that we don’t know which part is our favorite. There’s the tribal braid going straight back and even more braids going down the sides of her head all the way to her waist. She even added charms, including a little gold ring, to add more interest.

14. Threaded Braids

Oftentimes, threaded ponytails feature very thin, well, thread. But leave it to stunner Janelle Monae to try a super-thick string in white that truly pops against her hair. A few goddess braids are pulled back into one long braid with the white string threaded throughout that perfectly matches her black-and-white ensemble.

15. Straight Back

Sometimes simple is best, especially if you’re wearing an ultra-sexy gown. Straight back braids are always a good idea. Feel free to dress them up with embellishments, or you can rock the more low-maintenance look to every event for weeks and always look put-together.

16. Sculptural Braids

Yara Shahidi’s braider pulled goddess braids into a low ponytail or braided bun and added sculptural braids that quite literally stand up on their own. It creates a truly angelic look. It’s a bit bohemian but also glam at the same time. Either way, it had to turn heads from literally every angle.

17. Skinny Braided Headband

Actress Storm Reid knows you don’t have to go for chunky braids if you want to rock a braided headband. Her skinny goddess braids (in a stunning golden-brown hue) look great wrapped around her head to resemble a trendy headband. Her bronze makeup perfectly matches the shade of her braids making the look even more wow.

18. Embellished Braids

Tracee Ellis Ross’s chunky, straight-back goddess braids might look simple with only six braids, but look again. The actress chose little gold rings that are slipped through the loops of her braids. In fact, the rings even match the gold of her hoop earrings—the gorgeous details are a win-win!

19. Half Up Braids

Instead of piling all her skinny goddess braids into a braided updo, Zazie Beetz chose to leave a handful falling down her back for an even more romantic look. With the braids going straight back in the front, the focus can be on Beetz’s pearl-detailed cat-eye makeup and glossy lips. One word: Whoa.

20. Skinny Braids

While we usually think of goddess braids as thicker than cornrows, this isn’t true all the time. Keke Palmer’s thinner braids go in a few different directions without one specific part—and without one hair out of place here, it’s super polished and simply, gorgeous. 

Which of these goddess braids are your fave? Let us know @IPSY

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