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Home · Hair

Double Take: Celebrity Tress Twins

When it comes to A-list hairstyles, the old saying is true—everything old is new again! From Alicia Keys to Rihanna, all the top superstars are taking hairdo cues from icons of the past. Here, a gallery of our favorite celeb hairstyles, and the superstars that inspired their looks.
By · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Always Elegant

When it comes to A-list hairstyles, everything old is new again! These days, all the top superstars are taking hairdo cues from icons of the past. Just look at Alicia Keys’ American Music Awards style—it’s almost identical to Lena Horne’s World War II era, elegant updo.

02
Cornrowed Cuties

When Erykah Badu appeared on ‘The Williams Wendy Show’ rocking hip-length, beaded braids, we immediately thought of early-80s dance music chanteuse, Patrice Rushen. The “Forget Me Nots” singer’s beads were the envy of an entire generation of Soul Train fans.

03
Short n Sweet

In the 1980s, Shari Belafonte (daughter of Harry!) was a top model and actress—and her short-haired, pink-lipped style was all the rage. These days, she’s passed the torch onto her ’do doppleganger, Solange Knowles.

04
Long Story

In the ’70s, actress Pam Grier was a pistol-packing sex symbol with a huge afro. In the ’80s, though, she grew out the ’fro and wore her hair in soft, loose crimps, parted down the center. Joy Bryant has definitely taken some style cues from the “Foxy Brown” star!

05
The Beautiful Ones

If we didn’t know better, we’d think Prince and RiRi were somehow related. First of all, they kind of look alike (huge, greenish-brown eyes, pouty lips, butterscotch complexion…). Secondly, when Rihanna’s rocked a short hairstyle, it was a spot-on perfect imitation of the Royal Purple Pompadour. The beautiful ones, indeed.

06
Amazing Grace

The Noisette’s lead singer, Shingai Shoniwa, has an impressive range of natural hairstyles. But our favorite one is this high-drama pouf—which absolutely recalls Grace Jones’ ’80s-era, “Pull Up to the Bumper” flattop.

07
Big and Beautiful
When Kelly Rowland had big, tousled, untamed tresses, she looked just like Chaka Khan, who rocked her fabulously full and fluffy ’do for thirty years!

08
Sleek Stars

We love Ciara’s long hair, but her closely-cropped, heavy-banged wig was so fly! It was a gorgeous retread of Diahann Carroll’s 1960s hairdo…elegant, sleek, and effortlessly chic. Brava.

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