Leave It to Zoë Kravitz to Provide Endless Hair Inspo—5 Styles to Try

When we're hunting for inspiration before a braid appointment, one of the first sources we look to for that light-bulb beauty moment is actress and model Zoë Kravitz. Whether she's wearing goddess braids, cornrows, faux locks, or her signature wispy micro braids on and off the red carpet, she never fails to spark trends for people who wear protective hairstyles (particularly in the natural hair community). Today, we're taking a deep dive into her most recognizable looks over the past few years that have inspired endless trends and discussions about the underappreciated elegance of protective hairstyles.

Below are five looks we can't stop thinking about from Kravitz, a few helpful tips and tricks on how to pull them off, and the holy-grail products we'll be using to keep them looking flawless by our favorite beauty brands.

Barely There Micro Braids

Kravitz attended the launch event for Omega Aqua Terra Shades in March 2022 wearing a loose, barely there variation of her signature goddess braids. Two years may have gone by in a flash since we saw this look worn by the actress on the red carpet, but re-creations of it (dubbed the Zoë Kravitz braids on Pinterest) haven't stopped circulating since these images dropped. The texture of the added hair is what stands out the most since the hair is only braided part of the way down, flowing loose to frame the face.

Even when they're pulled behind the shoulders as shown below, these braids still look full against a bright-white background. Micro braids are the perfect way to play with texture since they're so versatile. Similar to box braids, they're created by securing a hair extension around the base of the natural hair, allowing for an attachment at the root. Kravitz has worn micro braids on many occasions, but there's something about the way that these textured braids play with the her simple sheath dress that's especially gorgeous.

Braided French Twist

Kravitz wore this braided French twists to the Met Gala in 2021, and it's lived rent-free in our fashion- and beauty-loving minds ever since. The theme for the event that year was Celebrating in America: A Lexicon of Fashion, and she captured it to a T. While her chain-link Yves Saint Laurent naked dress turned heads, her chic braided French twist complemented it perfectly without drawing any attention away from her attire. But to us beauty editors, this classic hairstyle was definitely the star of the show.

From these pictures alone, we can tell that Kravitz's braided French twist was created by forming a center part and then pulling the hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck and guiding it into the polished updo, just as one would do with loose strands of hair. We love this hairstyle so much we've included it in countless French-inspired hair stories. But of course, Kravitz's personal touch has been one of our favorite takes on it (especially with the elite edges).

Goddess Braids With Bow Details

Ribbons and bows have been trending nonstop since 2023, but Kravitz got a jump start on it with this sweet braided hairstyle she wore while walking the carpet of the LACMA Art and Film Gala years before. The actress was captured wearing goddess braids pulled back into a loose ponytail with a pearl-encrusted bow that matched her dress. These bohemian braids featured loose, windswept tendrils for the most ethereal look we've seen from Kravitz to date.

From another angle, we can see just how many strands help create this simple and sweet look. Once again, Kravitz plays with texture even when her hair isn't front and center. Take this as a sign to finally invest in those goddess braids (commonly called bohemian), and put in that request for extra strands and loose, windswept ends rather than bouncy, Pollyanna-esque curls.

Off-Center Braided Chignon

We won't be done with braided updo inspiration as long as Kravitz keeps making appearances wearing them (and we're certainly counting our blessings). She attended the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones sporting this off-center braided chignon that shows off her sky-high cheekbones, peach-toned makeup, and eye-catching crystal earrings. We love this look because we can see her face and minimalist outfit, a departure from her more detail-heavy looks in the past.

A side profile of Kravitz puts her delicately placed baby hair on display (which can be tricky to achieve with tightly curled hair types). To re-create the look, our braid-wearing beauty editors will be reaching for an edge-taming tool, hair gel to freeze tresses into place, and maybe even a spritz of hair spray that dries clear without any crunchiness to combat any frizz.

Braided Ponytail

Clearly, Kravitz knows how to pull off the perfect textured ponytail. For the 2018 UK premiere of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald, the star walked the red carpet wearing this ponytail featuring her signature goddess braids. We can barely see where the braided section of her hair ends and the loose strands begin, which just adds to the texture and dimension we see with this look. Like the off-center chignon above, this style allows her vibrant rosy cheeks and lips to pop against her Barbie-pink dress.

Take a look at the same playful hairstyle from the side. Does anything catch your eye? The strands wrapped around where the ponytail is secured (perhaps over a dark brown or black elastic) keep the style looking polished. This old hair trick is definitely not a secret but looks ridiculously good with micro and goddess braids since nothing looks out of place.

Now that you have a treasure trove of inspiration to choose from, before you decide to braid your tresses at home or in a salon, it's time to stock up on the best products to preserve your hours worth of work. It goes without saying that the protective styles Kravitz has been partial to are always on trend, but there's a good bit of effort that goes into their upkeep. Below, we've rounded up 10 serums, oils, shampoos, conditioners, and more to add to your haircare lineup.

The Best Products for Protective Styles