Since we are talking about It girls, what other It girl has a hairstyle named after them?Zoë Kravitz has been that girl since birth. With parents like Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz, it was only right that they create the most effortlessly cool being on this planet.
How To Get Zoë Kravitz Braids
Bonet's bohemian-chic locks and Lenny Kravitz's rockstar-inspired hairdos were emblematic of their unique style. Essentially, her free-spirited curls and his rebellious dreadlocks served as an innate inspiration for the Zoë Kravitz braids we have come to love today. For this modern-day family, it’s not just fashion statements—their hair is an expression of identity, creativity, and individuality.
In the world of braids, few trends capture attention, quite like the Zoë K style. Let’s talk about all that comes with it.
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What Are Zoë Kravitz Braids?
These braids typically consist of small to medium-sized box braids, sometimes accessorized with beads or cuffs, and are characterized by their bohemian style.
Rise In Popularity
The Zoë Kravitz braids have gained popularity for their effortlessly cool and stylish appearance. They offer a versatile and low-maintenance option for individuals looking for a protective hairstyle that can be worn for an extended period without daily styling.
According toTeen Vogue, the first time we saw the Big Little Lies star in braids was in 2015 when she starred in the movie DOPE. This became her go-to hairstyle, often seen on magazine covers. In May 2017, she graced the cover of Allure, sporting platinum blonde micro braids in a crown-styled design by the incredibly talented Nikki Nelms.
With ease, Kravitz has showcased the versatility of this style with messy buns, ponytails, and curls, popularizing a carefree, effortless style.
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How Long Does It Take To Get Zoë Kravitz Braids?
The time it takes to install Zoë Kravitz braids can vary depending on factors such as the length and thickness of your hair, the size of the braids, and the skill level of the stylist. Generally, it can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours or more to complete the braiding process.
Associated Costs
Prices vary based on factors such as the location, the salon or stylist's expertise, and the length and thickness of your hair. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $1000 or more for these braiding services.
The Real Tea on Zoë Kravitz Braids: Human Hair Vs Synthetic?
You have the option to use either human hair or synthetic hair extensions for Zoë Kravitz braids. Human hair tends to be more natural-looking and can be styled with heat tools, but it is also more expensive. Synthetic hair is more affordable but may not blend as seamlessly with your natural hair and typically cannot withstand heat styling.
New York-based stylist and owner of The Mu Look, Mulan McCausland, has some thoughts on the matter. “I am 100% against this style being done with synthetic loose hair," she declares. "It's not fair to the clients as it will be very short-lived." Instead, McCausland exclusively employs raw human hair, prioritizing durability and manageability. "Raw human hair for these styles will NOT become matted no matter what," she assures. "It's very easy to care for."
Maintenance Plan
But perhaps the most enticing aspect of the Zoë Kravitz braids, according to the salon owner, is its maintenance. “All you need is a spray bottle with water and a little conditioner, and you're good!”
McCausland's commitment to her client's hair health extends beyond the salon chair. "I always recommend making sure to sleep with a scarf at night," she advises. "My concern is not the human hair or the braids because they can take care of themselves. My only concern is the roots of my client's hair and making sure it can stay as fresh as possible."
Durability
This style is known for its durability and can typically last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks or even longer with proper care and maintenance. However, factors such as your hair texture, activity level, and how well you care for your braids can affect their longevity. Regular touch-ups may be needed to keep your braids looking fresh as your natural hair grows out.
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Zoë Kravitz 2.0 — Sew-in Method
The girlies are always coming up with new ways to make life easier and relieve tension on the crown. This time, they decided to sew bundles at the crown or center of the head to give the allusion of fullness. Of course, we had to ask a professional.
Syreta Finnigan founded KnotlessGang, a braiding business where her craft has transformed braiding into an art form. Finnigan tells us that her introduction to the new sew-in method stemmed from a desire to elevate her braiding skills after initial attempts at recreating the Zoë Kravitz braids that ended up looking more like traditional goddess braids.
“It was during this pursuit that I found the perfect video on TikTok, showcased by @miaseirah. Her execution aligned perfectly with my vision, inspiring me to adopt and refine the newfound sew-in approach,” the stylist said.
According to Finnigan, by securely tucking the hair away, this technique promotes accelerated and healthier hair growth, minimizing the need for frequent manipulation. “Moreover, it serves as an ideal protective style, affording individuals the flexibility to experiment with various hairstyles, akin to both sew-ins and braids, while ensuring optimal hair care and maintenance.”
Here’s a Zoë Kravitz braids step-by-step tutorial from the Knotless Gang founder:
Step 1: Start by executing a traditional hybrid braid pattern. Personally, I opt for straight-back cornrows with a strategic leave-out at the crown. Making sure enough hair is left out during braiding guarantees seamless coverage of all tracks.
Step 2: Proceed with either the micro braids or the sew-in installation, I start with the sew-in. Utilizing a curved needle, thread through the weft and secure it to the initial braid at the back. Continue this pattern until reaching the crown, where the braiding process commences.
Step 3: Transition to the leave-out section, dividing it into sections for braiding. Begin with a center part and start your knotless micro braids. As the braids progress, incorporate sections of hair from the remaining bundles into the braids. There isn’t a definite point as to when to add the curly hair pieces. It depends on the overall look you are aiming for.
Step 4: Dip a towel into hot water and rub lightly at the top of your braids after the trimming process. Grab an edge control and lay your baby hairs for a sleek look and you are good to go.
Okay, we gave you all the tea. Now, it’s up to you to decide.
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
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Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Fortunately, five simple words have simplified my dating process and ushered in clarity faster: “Would my husband do this?”
A couple of years ago, I met an entertainment lawyer who was tonguing down a twenty-something-year-old woman for breakfast while I slurped my green smoothie and chomped on a flatbread sandwich. Okay, Black love, I grinned and thought as I sauntered out of the Joe & The Juice. As soon as I stepped down from the front door, a torrential downpour of Miami summer rain cascaded and throttled me back inside to wait out the storm.
I grabbed a hot green tea and vacillated between peering out the wet door and anxiously checking my watch. My lengthy agenda started with attending the Tabitha Brown and Chance Brown’s “Black Love” panel, and I was already late. That’s when the lawyer introduced himself to me, after he made a joke about neither one of us wanting to get soaked by the rain. His female companion had braved the storm, leaving us to find our commonalities.
We both lived in L.A. and had traveled to the American Black Film Festival to expand our network. He represented various artists, including entertainment writers, while I was working as a writer/creative producer in Hollywood.
While there is no shortage of internet advice on how to strategically meet a prominent man at conferences, if I spend my hard-earned funds on career growth, I have tunnel vision, and that doesn’t include finding Mr. Right. So, I stowed his contact details away as strictly professional.
Keep It Cute Love And Hip Hop GIFGiphyAs the humidity and mosquitoes were rising around L.A., two months later, another suitor-turned-terrible match cooled off after three unimpressive dates and a bevy of red flags. I posted what some of my friends called a thirst trap, but it was really me wearing a black freakum jumpsuit with a plunging neckline to my friend’s 35th birthday soiree despite feeling oh, so unsexy and bloated on my cycle.
I’d been waiting to post a sassy caption and finally had the perfect picture to match: “You not asking for too much, you just asking the wrong MF.”
That’s when the entertainment lawyer swooped into my DMs and asked me to dinner. I was quite confused. Is he asking me on a date? Or is this professional? Common sense would’ve picked the former. Once it clicked that this would in fact be a date, I told my mentor, who’s been happily married for over twenty years and has often been a guiding light and has steered me away from the wrong men.
Upon telling him about how we met, he emphatically stated, “He ain’t it.” He followed up with a simple question, "You have to ask yourself: Would my husband do this? Would you tell others that you met your husband, tonguing down another woman, and later married him?"
Aint It No Way GIF by UFCGiphyOuch. The thought-provoking question cleared any haze. Prior to going out with the lawyer, the first thing I inquired about was the woman.
“You saw that?” He said, taken aback that I’d witnessed his steamy PDA. Surely, anyone with two open eyes peeped him caressing her backside as he kissed her in the middle of the coffee shop.
He brushed her off as a casual someone he’d gone on a couple of dates with but had since stopped talking to. He said he hadn’t been in a serious relationship in over three years. Though I was still doubtful, dating in L.A. is treacherous and ephemeral. Making it past three months is considered a rarity.
With my antennae alert, I dined with him at a cozy beachside steakhouse restaurant where we were serenaded by a live jazz band. I’d emphasized forming a platonic friendship first.
Break Up Friendship GIF by TLCGiphy“I’ll come to you,” he obliged. I liked that he had made me a priority by driving over 50 miles to see me. I also liked the effort he made to check in with me daily. But I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he initiated on a professional pretense and then alley hooped through the back door on a romantic venture, which bombarded me with confusion.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my dating life, God is not the author of confusion; any man who brings confusion, rather than clarity, is simply not The One. It doesn’t matter how many boxes he checks–eventually, that confusion will manifest itself into bigger problems, in time.
After diving into deeper conversations on the phone, post our first dinner date, I quickly realized this man was indeed not The One for me. But I’m grateful for the valuable lesson I learned.
I don’t expect some unattainable fairytale of a husband; we all have our own flaws and conflict is inevitable, but after dating for two decades, through failure and success, I’ve realized that the person I ultimately marry must mirror the values I exert into the world. He must reciprocate kindness, patience, and respect. He must be quick to listen and slow to respond. He needs to be forgiving and trustworthy, practice healthy communication, and be a man of his word at the bare minimum.
If I’d had “Would my husband do this?” in my toolbox when I was dating and floundering in stagnant relationships, in my twenties, it would’ve saved me a lot of precious time. But now that I’m equipped with the reminder, it’s allowed me to ground myself in my non-negotiables and set/maintain the standard for the special person, I’ll one day say, “I do,” to.
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