Home • News Hot Hair: The Curls of Summer Hot Hair: The Curls of Summer By Essence · Updated October 28, 2020 01 New Look At the Food Bank for New York City’s Can-Do Awards, Tika Sumpter revealed her latest diva ’do— a full-blown cascade of kinky curls. 02 Pump Up the Volume Jurnee Smollett arrived at the 2012 Jenesse Silver Rose Awards in a head full of voluminous waves. 03 Trendy Tresses Monica paid a visit to the ESSENCE office in New York City in flirty ombré waves that are right on trend. 04 Curly Cue At the Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup launch, Berry debuted her new curly bob. 05 Crimson Delight Chaka Khan flaunted bright burgundy curls when she attended the 40th Annual Fifi Awards. 06 Blonde Streak At the Abu Dhabi Digital Domain Event Kelis rocked a mega mane of kinky curls. And how brilliant is that bright blond streak? 07 Cascade of Curls At the ESSENCE Black Women in Music event, Kelly Rowland was aglow in gleaming, jet black coils. 08 Golden Child At a pre-Grammy event, Rihanna showed off a head full of blonde waves with dark, natural roots. 09 Perfect Finish Brandy flaunted gravity-defying curls that were big, bold and beautiful at the Billboard Music Awards. 10 All Things Natural Tanika Ray stepped out at a Victoria’s Secret event flaunting her naturally fabulous, super defined curls. 11 High and Mighty Thandie Newton rocked a cute, curly, side-poof at the premiere of Good Deeds in Los Angeles. 12 Show-Stopping Style At the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Solange wore picture-perfect curls. 13 Crowning Glory Alicia Keys attended the 98th Annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner wearing big, fluffy curls on the red carpet. 14 Tressed to Impress Christina Milian’s shiny, wavy hair was full of volume and va-voom at Star Magazine’s “All Hollywood” event. 15 Full Bloom Bailey Rae paired her bright dress and bold lip with her naturally fabuolus spirals at the MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute event. 16 Signature Style Spalding usually wears her coils in a fluffy, kinky ’fro, but at a recent album signing, she opted for a defined wash-and-go. 17 Cutting Edge Jada Pinkett Smith remixed her side-shave by gathering her wavy hair into a funky side ponytail at the Nickelodeon’s 25th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards. 18 Tousled Tendrils At the 2012 NBC Universal Summer Press Day, Yvette Nicole Brown swept her natural tendrils into a high ponytail. 19 Twist and Shout Kim Wayans wore her thick hair in a chic twist-out at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards. 20 Taking Sides Kat Graham wore honey colored curls in a chic side pony at the 102.7 KIIS FM’s Wango Tango event. 21 1317353 Where: A celebration for Glamour’s new book in West Hollywood, California. Why: Lee Simmons proves that her “fabulousity” is still in full force with these Rapunzel-esque, ebony waves. 22 1317703 23 1317303 Where: BET’s Rip the Runway 2012 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Why: Simmons was glowing and gorgeous in shiny, waist-length waves. Her two-tone honey highlights and natural roots make this ’do even more enviable.