Celebrities give us hair envy in many ways with their summer swag, but this season some have taken it to another level with this tried-and-true year-round go-to. Whether on the beach, on vacation or just living life being graceful, these celebrities rocked headwraps with elegance and style.
They’re easily becoming a summer hair accessory that protects your tresses, even when they’re in protective styles, while elevating your look with a touch that invokes the spirit of mother Africa. They’re a hair do that can replace a hairdo.
And we’re enjoying these ladies in their head coverings, proving that a hot girl summer can be had by all, in many different looks.
Alicia Keys
When we think of celebrities in headwraps, Alicia Keys is one of the first to come to mind. She clearly looks great in her natural curls, in braids, and in a blinged out doo-rag. So it’s no surprise that she sported this double-knotted wrap so effortlessly on the beach.
DeWanda Wise
We’ve got to have DeWanda Wise with her piercing eyes, and we’re totally here for her in this beautifully wrapped head covering. Recently, the actress cut her hair down to a fade. We’re expecting to see a lot more headwrap action from her since winters in New York are brutal on bald heads.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union’s year-round hair and hair accessories give us everlasting beauty envy, but she’s been showing up this summer to slaughter. One of our favorite looks is hands down her poolside look equipped with Kente printed headwrap, and baby Kaavia, who’s giving her serious headwrap competition.
Kaavia James
We could be envious that Kaavia James pulls off a headwrap better than most of us and she can’t even wrap it herself (due to her tiny hands), but with those cheeks and huge eye it’s just too hard to deny that she’s so damn cute. She’s quickly becoming a headwrap wearing connoisseur. We couldn’t be prouder.
Eva Marcille
Eva has been giving us hair goals since cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model. The audacity of this beauty to give us headwrap lust with just the right amount of height, the right amount of hair peeking from the bottom, and the right amount of joy in her face. We’re loving pregnant Eva with her glow, and her posts that make us smile.
Jada Pinkett Smith
This is a headwrap summer for Jada Pinkett Smith, who’s been rocking headpieces throughout the season. She’s sported headwraps on episodes of Red Table Talk, while catching sun at home, and while on vacation in Italy. She makes us eager to try the look, with the hope to look just as much like a melanin goddess as she does.
Amara La Negra
Amara La Negra is a hair shapeshifter who can wear so many different styles and look gorgeous in all of them. We’re used to seeing her in a gigantic ‘fro, but she donned a headwrap and beautiful gown to pay homage to her inspiration Celia Cruz. It’s an elegant look worth mimicking for any occasion.
Cheryl Porter
If you don’t know Cheryl Porter, you truly better ask somebody. The professional opera singer and coach lent her mellifluous vocals to the Italian version of The Lion King soundtrack’s “The Circle Of Life.” She’s been wearing the hell out of her colorful traditional printed headwraps and we want in. She’s invoking the spirit of the brown skin girl, which we all know is pure Black excellence.
Halima Aden
For model Halima Aden, a head covering isn’t just an easy summer hair accessory, it’s a huge part of her culture. So it’s no wonder she slays the scene when she switches up her hijabs, going from long flowing versions, to headwraps piled high in intricate and beautiful designs. She’s become such a queen at this, she even collaborated on a line of covetable head coverings with brand Modanisa so we can all get her look.
Yvonne Orji
Our Naija sister constantly slays when it comes to fashion, comedy, and beauty. She’s stunning in a traditional Nigerian gele, made by her mama, wrapped by her. There’s clearly nothing insecure about this beauty. We’re wondering if she can give us a wrapping tutorial so we can slay the head piece just like her.
Nika King
Nika King was giving us euphoria in her custom headwrap at the Spider-Man: Far From Home premiere. The actress showed up to show out in support of TV daughter Zendaya’s latest movie project. She wore the wrap with long cornrows cascading from underneath it. With her youthful face and flawless skin, she could probably wrap foil on her head and look stunning. But we’re glad she chose this lovely piece instead.
Nafessa Williams
Nafessa Williams proved that you don’t have to pile a Badu-esque (read: 2 feet high) covering on your head to make your wrap pop. If you’re in a desert, you might go with something more low-key and easy to tie. Her Abu Dhabi headwrap was adorable and sleek. It looks like a headwrap and a chic doo-rag had a baby, and the result was fabulous.