Gabrielle Union's Chunky Cornrows Fall All the Way Down to Her Knees

RAPUNZEL COULD NEVER Gabrielle Union's Chunky Cornrows Fall All the Way Down to Her KneesWe can't choose what's more glorious: her radiant skin or these long braids. 

By Gabi Thorne

June 23, 2022

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Though the Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 runways are full of captivating fashion and beauty moments, our eyes are actually glued on Gabrielle Union and her husband Dwyane Wade. In between attending shows, the couple have walked the streets of Italy looking like a bag of money and then some. Those appearances alone are breathtaking, but we're also loving all the hair inspiration Union is providing, like the chunky cornrows she wore on June 18 that would make Rapunzel's hair look short.

These braids look like intricately woven ropes growing from her scalp. Hairstylist Issac Poleon cornrowed six separate sections of her hair, starting from the very front to the tips that hover above her knee. Each one starts off small and gradually becomes thicker until tapering off into a very thin point. You may expect some extra slicked loops and swoops around her hairline, but Poleon didn't style a single baby hair — though we love sleek edges, simply letting your hair do what it does is just as cute and takes less time.

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Union has always had luminous skin, but makeup artist Esther Edeme has managed to amp up her glow. Edeme kept this beat on the natural side, so you can't spot a single steak or indication that there is any other makeup there — other than her perfectly styled brows, fluttery lashes, and glossy lips. She let Union's radiant skin do all the talking.

It's no secret that we are big fans of Union, especially each and every hairstyle she shows off. The possibilities truly seem endless for the Cheaper by the Dozen star who manages to not only make our jaws drop every time she leaves the house, but also provides some creative hair inspiration. For example, the very day after these photos were taken, her chunky cornrows were replaced with a slicked-back low ponytail that ends in a kinky pouf — somehow I'm getting wrecking ball and ornament vibes in the best way possible. 

In just two days, Union proved her versatility is something to be observed and also showed us all why your baby hairs don't always need to be laid to the gods. Sometimes it's fine to just embrace the frizz.

Read more stories about braids:

• 47 Gorgeous Black Braided Hairstyles That Will Inspire Your Next Look
• A Guide to Washing Box Braids and Cornrows
• The Easiest Way to Cornrow Your Own Hair

Now enjoy Gabrielle Union trying nine things she's never done before with Jessica Alba:

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Gabi Thorne is the associate news editor at Allure. Since graduating from Harvard University, where she received a student writing fellowship from The Nation to research political news and social media as they pertain to students and communities of color, Gabi has covered beauty, pop culture, news, and more... Read moreAssociate News Editor

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