• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · Beauty

Great Beauty: The Evolution of Mary J. Blige

As ESSENCE Music Festival quickly approaches, we're amped for the lineup of stellar stars -- especially MJB! Over the years the stylish songstress has rocked everything from mile-long lashes and gold gloss. Here, we take a look back at the EMF headliner's many looks, from 1992 to today.
By Virginia Lowman and Tia Williams · June 22, 2015October 27, 2020
01
1992: Goldilocks

At an early performance at the Beacon Theater, Mary rocked gilded lipstick to match her golden locks.

02
1995: Model Pretty

At the 1995 Billboard Music Awards, Blige spored a model-perfect makeup look: ruby red lips, contoured eyes and winged liquid liner.

03
1997: Purple Haze

Blige sported electric purple lipstick and a jeweled bindhi at the Sounds & Vision concert.

04
1998: Frosted Femme

The songstress rocked frosted metallic makeup at an appearance in ’98.

05
1999: Red Alert

Mary sported warm, reddish/copper-toned eyeshadow and lipstick to flatter her auburn locks.

06
1999: Coral Cutie

At a Radio City Music Hall gala, Mary sported delicately shaded lids and sheer coral lipgloss.

07
2000: Color Guard

Mary went for a super-colorful look at the 14th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, sporting vinyl-finish crimson gloss and pearly mint-green eyeshadow.

08
2001: Sparkle City

At the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, Blige sported sparkly eyeshadow and frosted pink lipstick.

09
2002: Bronze Goddess

At the 2002 MTV VMA’s, Blige rocked bronze-toned shadow, blush and lipstick to flatter her brown leather ensemble.

10
2003: Caramel Kissed

Blige went for soft, caramel toned makeup (with black liner to add definition) at the VMA’s the following year.

11
2004: Shim-Shimma

Mary J. Blige wore shimmery, metallic golds and bronzes at a tribute to Ray Charles in L.A.

12
2006: Fresh Face

At the ABC Television Network Upfront, Blige looked fresh-faced and radiant in soft pink lids, cheeks and lips. She anchored the look with high-glam faux lashes.

13
2008: Feelin’ Blue

Mary wore a chic smudge of shimmery blue eye liner on top and bottom lids at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala.

14
2010: Batting a Thousand

At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Mary accentuated her eyes with white pencil on the inner bottom rim and a row of lush false lashes.

15
2011: Kohl Mine

Mary J. Blige looked better than ever at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, rocking lush blonde bangs, plummy-kohl eye shadow and a glossy nude lip.

16
2013: Red Lips, Bright Eyes
Mary J. Blige
17
2014: Chic in Pink

MJB flaunts flawless skin with subtle pink lips and a perfectly blended smokey eye at the 31st Annual Fashion Group International Night of the Stars.

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
18
Lady in Red

Who doesn’t love a killer red lip? MJB pairs hers with perfectly contoured and flushed cheeks. Perfect your pout by tracing your lips with an angled brush dipped in concealer.

Getty Images
19
2015: Into Nude

MJB owned this look at the Ladylike Foundation’s 7th Annual Women of Excellence Scholarship luncheon. Feathery lashes, nude lips and a gentle smokey eye create a look that is perfectly feminine.

Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
20
2013: Perfect Pout
Mary J. Blige
Michael N. Todaro/WireImage & Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
21
2013: Silverscreen Betty

MJB sported an au natural look inher portrayal of Dr. Betty Shabazz in the 2013 film Betty & Coretta.

Phillipe Bosse/ Lifetime
22
Gunmetal Stare
Mary J. Blige
Getty Images

Read More

Entertainment
Lil Kim Shares The One Thing She Wants Viewers To Take Away ...
Travel
Airbnb Cancels All DC Reservations Ahead Of Inauguration Week
Oprah Winfrey Documentary Coming To Apple TV+
Videos
Who is Lorna Simpson
Beauty
Skincare Products For All Your Problem Areas
FOLLOW US
Privacy Policy
Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now