Kerry Washington reveals boho braids at Imperfect Women NYC screening

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Boho Braids Take Over Spring Red Carpets
• A Dramatic Hair Evolution Week
• All About the Inverse French Braid Technique
• Behind the Braids: The Imperfect Women Premiere
• Will Boho Braids Dominate Spring 2026 Fashion?
  • Sources

Kerry Washington just turned heads with a stunning boho braid transformation at the Imperfect Women NYC screening. The 49-year-old actress ditched her Pamela Anderson-inspired updo for two inverse French braids that extended past her hips, featuring dark brown, caramel, and platinum blonde hues. The look marks a bold departure from her red carpet style just days before.

Boho Braids Take Over Spring Red Carpets

Kerry Washington is leading the 2026 boho braid trend with her latest hair moment. The actress showcased two separate braids that began at her hairline and merged into a thicker single braid flowing down her back. Each section featured an intricate inverse French braid technique, creating a romantic, carefree aesthetic perfect for spring styling.

This multi-tonal coloring blended honey blonde, wheat, and platinum hues throughout, mixed with chocolate and espresso tones. Soft, airy curls escaped the braids on either side of her face, adding extra texture and movement to the protective yet glamorous look.

A Dramatic Hair Evolution Week

Washington has demonstrated remarkable versatility throughout March, switching styles multiple times. At the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on March 12-13, she wore a modernized messy bun styled by her longtime collaborator Rio Sreedharan. The updo channeled Pamela Anderson energy with voluminous texture and effortless glamour.

Prior to that, at the Imperfect Women world premiere on March 10, the Scandal star rocked an elegant long bob (lob) with sleek styling. The quick transitions show why Washington is considered a true hair chameleon, rarely repeating the same style twice on the red carpet.

All About the Inverse French Braid Technique

Braid Element	Details
Type	Inverse (Dutch) French braids with two separate sections
Color	Blonde, caramel, brown, and platinum with highlights
Length	Extended past hips with romantic loose curls
Styling	Center part with soft, airy texture escaping throughout

Inverse braids, also called Dutch braids, involve crossing sections under rather than over, creating a 3D, raised appearance. Washington’s version featured two separate braids that eventually fused into one, making the style both intricate and effortless.

The color placement throughout was intentional, with brighter blonde tones concentrated in the mid-lengths and scattered highlights, while deeper chocolate tones grounded the style at the roots and ends. The multi-shade approach gives the braid depth and prevents it from appearing flat or monotone.

Behind the Braids: The Imperfect Women Premiere

Kerry Washington was in New York City to promote Apple TV’s Imperfect Women, a psychological thriller limited series premiering on March 18, 2026. The event, hosted by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, featured a screening and panel conversation with her costars Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara inside the Robin Williams Center.

Washington plays Eleanor in the eight-episode series, based on Araminta Hall’s bestselling novel of the same name. The thriller explores how three lifelong best friends are tested after a shocking murder unravels their relationships and reveals deep secrets. The appearance marks Washington’s latest high-profile project on the Apple TV+ platform, showcasing her continued dominance in prestige television.

Will Boho Braids Dominate Spring 2026 Fashion?

Boho braids are experiencing a major celebrity resurgence in early 2026, with Kerry Washington becoming the latest A-lister championing the trend. The style offers versatility, allowing for various color integrations, length options, and texture variations. Unlike tight, structured braids, boho versions embrace looseness and organic movement, making them trend-worthy yet functional.

The spring season brings renewed interest in protective styling that feels effortless and romantic. Washington’s long braids prove that the style works for formal red carpet events as well as casual everyday wear. With March premieres and awards season momentum, expect boho braids to remain a major hair trend through summer 2026.

Sources

• WWD – Kerry Washington Makes a Case for Boho Braids coverage
• Allure – Kerry Washington’s Blonde Braids Spring Fashion feature
• Marie Claire – Kerry Washington’s Boho Braids Are the Perfect Spring Hairstyle article