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Home • Hair

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige

When Mary J. Blige first stepped on the scene, we fell in love with her edgy, urban flavor and rich, soulful sound. But let's not forget Queen Mary was also a head turner because of her sassy hairstyles, too. As the songstress preps for her ESSENCE Festival this week, we remember her hottest looks of all time.
By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
1992: Curly Top

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

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
02
1995: Honey Bunch

At the 1995 Billboard Music Awards, Blige sported a mod-inspired, honey-blonde flip.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
03
1997: Blonde Ambition

Blige accessorized her high blonde ponytail with a jeweled bindhi at the Sounds & Vision concert.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
04
1998: Princess Hair

At an appearance in ’98, Blige looked every inch a princess in this curly upsweep.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
05
1998: Red Alert

In the late ’90s, Blige switched up her look with a short, fiery red pixie look.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
06
1999: Straight Talk

Blige sported a warm, auburn-toned blowout at a 1999 awards show after-party.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
07
2000: Bird of a Feather

At the 14th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, Blige rocked a platinum feathered ’do with crimson lips and emerald eyes.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
08
2001: Asymmetric Mama

At the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, Blige wore a sharp, razor-cut asymmetric bob with golden streaks.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
09
2002: Mellow Yellow

At the 2002 MTV VMA’s, Blige rocked a bright, sunny yellow pixie wig with sexy spikes.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
10
2003: Layer Cake

Blige went for soft, caramel highlights, long layers and bangs at the MTV VMA’s the following year.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
11
2004: Marilyn Moment

At a performance at the Beacon Theater, Blige painstakingly curled golden locks inspired by Marilyn Monroe.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
12
2006: Straight Up

At the ABC Television Network Upfront, Blige looked fresh and radiant with this center-parted, golden blonde blowout.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
13
2008: Bang Bang

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Blige looked uptown chic with heavy bangs and a flawless bob.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
14
2010: Short Cut

At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Blige rocked the ever-popular “rooster” ’do: short on the sides and long on top.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
15
2011: Head and Shoulder

Blige dazzled in this softly layered, wispy, shoulder-length cut. We love the almost-platinum hair hue!

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
16
2011: Banging Bob

At Variety’s ‘Power of Women’ event in September, Blige stood out in a subtly streaked platinum bob with heavy bangs.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
17
2011: Fllipping Out

At Perez Hilton’s ‘One Night in New York City’ event in October, Blige was incredibly glam in full, flipped curls with face-framing layers.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
18
2011: High and Mighty

MJB took the high road at the BET Awards in June when she arrived wearing a golden ponytail with full bangs.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
19
2011: Glowing and Gorgeous

At the FiFi Awards later the same month, Blige pinned up her ponytail and created a dazzling top knot with lush, layered bangs.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
20
2011: Pony Up

Blige looked better than ever at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, where she rocked a high, I Dream of Jeannie ponyail and a heavy, eyelash-grazing bang.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
21
2011: Bangin’ Bob

At the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival, Blige looked so chic with this swingy, gold-streaked bob.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
22
2011: Up and Away

At the Art for Life Benefit, Blige was sophisticated in a graceful upsweep and full bangs.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
23
2012: Clean Cut

We fell in love with Blige’s fierce angled bob when she arrived at the RPM Nightclub at the Tropicana Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
24
2012: Golden Hot

Blige turned heads on the red carpet at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards in an elegant rolled, pin-up style. A side part offers a dramatic, gold sweep which is totally fit for a Queen!

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
25
2012: Glamour Girl

At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, MJB turned up the glam in a chin-length, curly bob with dark roots.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
26
2012: Naturally Fabulous

Blige arrived on the red carpet of the Rock of Ages premiere wearing her trademark honey-blonde tresses in a chic side roll.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
27
2012: Elegant Updo

Blige attended the 22nd annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards in a easy, elegant upsweep with a chic side-swept bang.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
28
2013: Side Curls

Mary celebrates the 20th anniversary of VIBE magazine with a side part and beachy waves cascading down the right side of her face.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
Getty Images
29
2014: Asymmetric Accents

Mary flaunts an asymmetric bob with a tapered back at the 2014 American Music Awards.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
Getty Images
30
2015: Blonde Bob

At a performance at the Casa Reale Fine Jewelry Launch, Blige rocked gilded lipstick to match her classic blonde bob.

Mary J. Blige's Tress Transformation
Getty Images