Zendaya Shuts Down the Burberry Front Row With Sleek Cornrows

Zendaya reinvents herself at each turn, keeping fans on their toes with her ever-changing hair and makeup notes, and raising the bar for quick-change beauty moments everywhere. Case in point: her eye-catching look at this afternoon’s Burberry Spring 2018 show in London. Ditching the glossy red lips and long glamorous waves she most recently donned during New York Fashion week, today she opted for the sleek combination of cornrows and a fresh makeup look that focused on dewy skin and subtly smoky eyes.

Cornrows have long been a part of Zendaya’s beauty repertoire, having regularly sported them for big events, including her Paris fashion week debut in 2015. Whether experimenting with intricate designs or opting for the ease of a few long braids, the actress showcases the versatility of a style that connects with her culture. As a young woman who has been vocal about the effects of appropriation and stereotyping with regards to hair, most recently having documented her long transition back to her original curly texture, her choice to wear cornrows to Burberry continues a meaningful conversation. As Zendaya and countless women of color embrace their natural locks, chemically straightened hair is no longer the standard, leaving the door open for even more bold beauty looks to come.