Black Women Turn to Lupita Nyong’o’s African-Inspired Met Gala Look for Summer Hair Inspiration

Remember that show-stopping look that Nyong’o made sure you knew was inspired by the African continent and Nina Simone?

Black Women Turn to Lupita Nyong’o’s African-Inspired Met Gala Look for Summer Hair Inspiration

August humidity and monsoons have long been the enemy of black women’s hair, worn natural or straight. Having your hair sprout into a frizzy mound the moment you step outside can be a literal headache. And ain’t nobody got time for that, which explains why braids, twists and buns abound this time of year.


Black women are turning to the optically-amazing updo that Lupita Nyong’o wore at the Met Gala a few months back to switch up their summer hairstyle. Remember that show-stopping look that Nyong’o made sure you knew was inspired by the African continent and music icon Nina Simone NOT Audrey Hepburn as Vogue magazine would like us to believe?

Hair Inspiration. Check. @vernonfrancois @voguemagazine #metball2016

A video posted by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) on

As long as we’ve known the Kenyan beauty andQueen of Katwe star, she and her stylist Vernon Francishave never shied away from showcasing the edginess and gravity-defying magic of African hair. And why should you?

Be timeless, be chic, wear a high-bun like Nyong’o. And check out these glamorous rifts on her ‘do, dubbed the "ninja" or "corn" bun, courtesy of blog BlackGirlLongHair.

Link on the bio....#blackwomenmakeup #beautybynamy #highbun #hairtutorial #newvideo #bun #youtuber #botswana

A photo posted by BEAUTY BY NAMY (@beauty_by_namy) on

Not your average bun? It's not an everyday look (for me it is lol) but something to play around with if you're feelin adventurous. It's definitely a cute look for little girls. The idea for this style came about completely by accident. My hair was in a high pony tail and I was trying to get it out of the way by quickly putting it into a bun and it made this double bun look. So I decided to roll with it. I re-did it of course to make it neater. A lot of edge controller was used lol It helped keep the hair in the buns in place. I shaped the ponytail into a circle and secured it with a rubber band to hold the shape. I repeated and tucked the loose ends of the top bun in the rubber band of the first bun I made and covered the rubber band with a small section of hair I left out. I did the same for the rubber band that I used to create the ponytail. Lovin the double bun look? #funbun #30daysofnaturalstyles #Day22 #naturalhair #naturalhairstyles #protectivestyle #hairstyles #hm #hairtutorial #doublebun Earrings: @HM

A photo posted by C R E A T O R (@chimeedwards) on

It's perfect poolside or at the beach.

#diy #ninjabun #naturalhair I struggled but I'm satisfied ??

A photo posted by Landa (@sweetdarkiee_) on

Add bangs for a dramatic effect.

Top Knot Bun | Bangs IG: Shayes_dvine_perfection FB: Shayes D'vine Perfection Book online at: www.styleseat.com/shalandawilliams2

A photo posted by Shaye Hair&Heels Williams (@shayes_dvine_perfection) on

Or adornments:

Yasss, queen, slay.

Maasai people. Men spend hours braiding each othersí long ochred colored hair. Near Amboseli National Park, Kenya
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