Whether she’s belting out heart-shifting ballads or blessing the ‘Gram with her glowing skin and laid edges, Sullivan always understands the assignment. Ahead of her highly anticipated return to the Essence Festival stage, we’re taking a moment to celebrate some of her most unforgettable beauty looks.
For starters, 2022 was her year. She hit Day 1 of the Sol Blume Festival in loose waves paired with a red and peach eyeshadow blend, sun-kissed bronze highlighter, and a glossy nude lip. And then came her Essence Festival slay: a half-up ponytail, oceanic eyeshadow hues, and a bold purple lip that reminded the crowd exactly what Black beauty looks like—fearless, radiant, and unapologetically bold.
After a quick break, the Love Me Back singer popped out at the 2023 65th GRAMMY Awards in full diva mode, shielding her eyes with a fabulous hat that only she could pull off. Most recently, at the 2025 Met Gala, she delivered a vintage 1920s fantasy: copper and black smoky eyes, pink highlighter, deep sheer lips, and a headpiece moment that took us out.
Below for nine times the Essence Festival performer served beauty looks that live rent-free in our minds.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 03: Jazmine Sullivan, recipient of Best R&B Album for “Heaux Tales,” attends the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy )
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 30: Singer Jazmine Sulliva performs on Day 1 of Sol Blume Festival 2022 at Discovery Park on April 30, 2022 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 08: Jazmine Sullivan attends the 2022 Time 100 Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on June 08, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Jazmine Sullivan accepts the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 02: Jazmine Sullivan performs during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Louisiana Superdome on July 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 28: Jazmine Sullivan performs in concert during day 1 of Lollapalooza at Grant Park on July 28, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Gary Miller/FilmMagic)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 14: Jazmine Sullivan performs during weekend two of ACL Music Festival 2022 at Zilker Park on October 14, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/FilmMagic,)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 16: Singer Jazmine Sullivan performs onstage during 2022 V103 Winterfest at State Farm Arena on December 16, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Jazmine Sullivan attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola® will take place July 3-6. For more information and updates on the festival, visit our websiteand follow us on social media @ESSENCEFest on X, Facebook, andInstagram.
