Alicia Keys is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. She began composing songs at age 12 and was signed by Columbia Records at 15. Over the years, Alicia has inspired women across the globe to wear braided hairstyles. The singer often gracefully rocks diverse braids and cornrows hairstyles. Below are some cool Alicia Keys braids you can wear.
The 15-time GRAMMY singer-songwriter became an international icon in 2001 with her hugely successful debut album that featured a number-one hit song, Fallin. She sold over 10 million copies worldwide and won five Grammy Awards in 2002, including the Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
Alicia Keys' Braids Hairstyles That Are in Fashion
Besides her music, Alicia Keys is highly cherished for inspiring women of all races to embrace braids and cornrows hairstyles. The singer is proud of wearing braids and loves learning about the power of hair. Her hairstyles help her connect with her Black ethnic background and the African ancestral culture.
The American singer not only wears braids to red carpet events, award ceremonies, live performances, or during press interviews. Braids and cornrows are part of her life even when she is not on camera. Below are some fascinating Alicia Keys' braids from the 2000s to 2023:
Alicia Keys' Cornrow Hairstyles
The maxi cornrows are eye-catchy and easy to braid. The more hair extensions you add to the cornrows, the bigger they become. Alicia has decorated her cornrows extensions with black ribbons to hold them together.
Straight and curly hair can still be styled into cornrows. Meanwhile, wavy hair, especially with a natural texture, can hold cornrows better than straight hair. The waves can add a touch of grip to the braids, making them more secure.
You can always count on a half-up cornrow hairstyle to turn heads. Gather your cornrow extensions into a cute top knot or let them fall on the curly or straight hair falling on your back. Alternatively, fix the cornrow extensions into the flowing hair.
Rather than braiding your head with cornrows, consider a half-up cornrows hairstyle. The hairstyle gives you free rein to flaunt your length and keeps your curly strands stylishly pulled back from your face and high up on your crown.
Alicia Keys' Braids with Beads
You can decorate maxi cornrows with golden beads (plastic, rubber, or metallic). Alternatively, attach white string-like hair ribbons on each cornrow. The string should run from the forehead to the back to create a unique but uniform pattern.
Beads can easily elevate the look of protective styles like braids, twists, and locks. What’s even more remarkable is that you can experiment with different shapes, sizes, and colors of your beads to switch up your look.
In many African communities, braided hair patterns and beads were used to identify marital status, social standing, and age. Microbead hair extensions can last for a long time, but as with any other method, it depends on the quality of hair and care routine.
Beads are gentle on the hair, but are slightly annoying to sleep on. They are hard, noisy, and fall on your face. The best way to sleep with beaded hairstyles is to wear a bonnet or gather the braids into a ponytail.
Alicia Keys' Braided Ponytail Hairstyles
The difference between pigtails and ponytails is that a ponytail involves gathering all the hair and placing it at the back of the head. In contrast, pigtails are split into two sections on opposite sides.
Carefully styled ponytails and pigtails suggest professionalism and maturity. They keep the hair out of your face, are easy to accessorize, are long-lasting, and are practical for daily use. They are also easily simplified or embellished depending on each person’s skill at styling.
Both pigtails and ponytail hairstyles can be worn high and low, but it’s a general rule that ponytails are placed at the back of the head, whereas pigtails are positioned to the sides. A ponytail is often pulled back to free the face from loose strands of hair, whereas pigtails typically embrace a softer look by framing the face.
Cornrow ponytails are one of the easiest ways to upgrade your traditional pony. Braid your cornrows up towards the crown of your head so that you can quickly gather them. Then, pull all the braids into a high ponytail and secure them with a statement hair tie. It can be time-consuming if you’re not a fast or skilled braider, but the results are always awesome.
Alicia Keys' Micro and Knotless Braids
The micro or tiny braid hairstyle is like box braids but much smaller. Their tight weave resembles slender strands of hair, allowing you to create many different micro braid styles, such as the half-up and half-down styles. You can also mix multiple colors, depending on your preference.
Small or medium-sized box braids are lighter in weight than thick braids and will place less tension on your natural hair. This hairstyle is one of the best for hair growth; it prevents tugging and manipulation and retains hair length.
The beauty of micro braids is that they’re a protective hairstyle, but because they are so thin, you can often treat and style your hair as you usually would if it weren’t braided. However, they can be time-consuming to plait and remove on the head.
Thick knotless braids are painless and have a flat, more natural look. They don’t cause tension on the scalp, which makes them a great protective hairstyle. They last 6 to 8 weeks, and if you want to go longer, take good care of them to avoid a lot of breakage.
Alicia Keys' Pigtails Hairstyles
Pigtails are a great way to bring the nostalgia of your childhood hair into the present day. Perfect for curly hair, this look keeps your hair up and off of your face but also shows off the natural volume and texture of your strands. Upgrade the look by adding braids, transforming your tails into buns, or spraying the ends with some temporary hair color.
To get the look, part your hair down the middle, then divide your hair into two equal sections. Clip one side out of the way, then gather the remaining side, smooth it into a ponytail, secure it with a hair scrunchie, and braid it. Repeat the process on the other side to even out your look.
The basic ponytails add irresistible charm to your hairstyles. Comb your baby hairs back with the rest, or smooth them down along the edges of your hairline. If your hair has a coarser texture or wants an especially sleek look, you might opt for a product with more hold, like gel, pomade, or edge control.
Hairspray and gel provide a quick and easy way to style the baby hair. Once you are done making the pigtails, spray or apply gel on a toothbrush, and gently brush onto tiny baby hair to tamp it down without being sticky on the forehead.
Alicia Keys' Mohawk and Bantu Knots
The Mohawk is not just a simple tuft of hair standing on your head. The hairstyle is chic, elegant, and perfect for a formal event. Mohawk is most commonly associated with non-conformity.
Mohawk and Bantu knots are some of the best protective hairstyles for black women. They are the way to go if you want long-lasting, simple-to-maintain hairstyles that make you appear younger and fashionable.
Alicia Keys' Single Bun Hairstyles
Braided buns are suitable for just about any occasion when it comes to hairstyles for black women. They can be customized from loose and messy to tight and elegant and everything in between. You need one packet of standard medium-width braids to achieve this look. You can get a couple more packs if you would like bigger buns.
These braided buns might require daily styling and maintenance. Wrap your braids with a silk or satin scarf or bonnet before bed. Also, it’s important to keep your natural hair moisturized and lubricated.
When selecting an Alicia Keys-inspired hairstyle, consider the suitability of the occasion you are getting ready for. You must also prepare your hair for installation by washing it and deep conditioning. After braiding, wrap your Alicia Keys' braids up at night or sleep on a silk pillowcase to prevent hair from tangling and protect your edges from frizzing.
Legit.ng posted pictures of the best hairstyles for girls. Braids and cornrows are excellent protective hairstyles for kids. However, be gentle when plaiting their delicate heads.
It’s tempting to tighten the twists or braids so they last long, but this can be uncomfortable for children and even give them a headache.
Source: Legit.ng
