At a time when pixie cuts are trending—think: From Teyana Taylor’s chic flips and Jada Pinkett Smith’s bleached blonde to Taraji P. Henson’s pompadour and Fantasia’s seductive up-flip—we’d be remiss to not mention those who gave the cut its fame. And if R&B legend Anita Baker’s iconic hair moments don’t come to mind, let us remind you she’s not only a timeless songstress, but also a forever beauty muse.
In 2020 she told ESSENCE that her pixie cut is “just out of necessity for me. I just need it for things to be easy and simple.” Even still, it’s this effortlessness that makes it so aspirational. And, best of all, she’s always had the perfect makeup to complement it. Just take her portrait session in 1988, for example, when her glossy high top was paired with a satin pink lip and dark eyeliner. Then, in 1995, she recreated her eye makeup but with a bright red lip and a one-sided bang to accentuate her bouffant pixie cut.
In 2011, at the BET Awards, her sides were shaved lower than in the 1980s and ‘90s. Although, she still borrowed the voluminous flips. Her eyeshadow was a pigmented metallic purple which played off the tones in her pink lipstick, a shade we’d see in years to come. At the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, her pixie cut entered bob territory, long and flipped with bangs to match.
In the past 10 years, however, she’s turned to “bronde,” a blend between blonde and brown. At the 2018 BET Awards, her pixie was almost a bowl cut, blown out, natural, and perfectly matched to her sparkled lip.
In honor of Anita Baker’s 68th birthday, ESSENCE looks back at the evolution of the legendary R&B songstress’ beauty.
Portrait Session, 1988
Portrait Session, 1995
9th Annual Soul Train Music Awards
15th Annual American Music Awards
BET Awards 2011
55th Annual GRAMMY Awards
Chaka Khan’s 60th Birthday Party
BET Awards 2018
