Gabrielle Union’s High-Half-Ponytail Box Braids Actually Took My Breath Away – See Photos

By now it’s evident that Gabrielle Union is a great source for Black hair inspiration. I mean, just one quick scroll through her Instagram will reveal the many different styles she has tried throughout the years. Braids, wigs, dangerously long ponytails – you name it, she has probably done it. 

For instance, we couldn’t keep our eyes off the waist-length braided ponytail and red lips she wore in October 2021. The sky-scraping poofy ponytail she wore to the 2021 British Fashion Awards reminded us of the Whos from How the Grinch Stole Christmas and had us gasping and begging for more looks. And now her high, half-up ponytail full of box braids will make you want to rush to schedule a braiding appointment.

Union posted a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram on April 5 in which she poses with her hands in her braids for the cover of Scary Mommy. The short behind-the-scenes clip gives a good view of the medium-sized, waist-length braids. Half of the braids were gathered up into a ponytail to create the half-up, half-down look. A few braids were wrapped around the base of the ponytail, making this hairstyle look more done up and elevated – perfect for a cover shoot. We don’t see the entirety of her hairline, but no swoops or loops of baby hairs were found in this style.