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Home • Hair

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
By Essence · Updated October 28, 2020
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Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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1992: Curly Top

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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1995: Honey Bunch

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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1997: Blonde Ambition

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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1998: Princess Hair

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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
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1999: Straight Talk

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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.

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2001: Asymmetric Mama

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2002: Mellow Yellow

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2003: Layer Cake

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2004: Marilyn Moment

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2006: Straight Up

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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
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2010: Short Cut

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2011: Head and Shoulder

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2011: Banging Bob

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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.

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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.

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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.

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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.

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2011: Bangin’ Bob

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2011: Up and Away

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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
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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!

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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2012: Glamour Girl

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

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige
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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.

Hairstyle File: Mary J. Blige