• 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 · Hair

Nia Long's Best Tress Moments

Nia's been a mainstay in our entertainment world for over 20 years and has never missed a beat with that gorgeous dark hair. Just in time for the release of her new Tyler Perry film The Single Moms Club  next week, let's take a trip down mane memory lane. Here a collection her hair greatest hits.

By · March 1, 2014October 27, 2020
01
1991: Hood Hottie

In Boys in the Hood, Long played a sweet Catholic school girl, and had the demure bob-with-bangs hairstyle to prove it.

02
1993: American Girl

Long added some sexy volume to her bob as Will Smith’s love interest in Made in America.

03
1997: Ladies Who Lunch

Long rocked a slightly shorter, chin-grazing bob at a casual lunch with stylist Lisa Michelle in Los Angeles.

04
1997: Me & Mrs. Jones

In 1997’s classic Love Jones, Long rocked a jet-black, layered cut with side-swept bangs. That year, Brown girls everywhere copied this trendsetting style.

05
1998: Short Story

At the premiere of Blade, Long hit the red carpet wearing a brand new, super-short pixie cut.

06
2000: Award Tour

Long sported a choppy, shoulder-length blowout at the 2000 NAACP Awards show.

07
2001: Wavy Baby

Long’s wash-and-wear waves are both totally adorable and low-maintenance. Our kind of style!

08
2004: Pretty Pony

Sometimes the easiest hairstyles make the biggest impact. At the 2004 NAACP Image Awards, Long accepted her Best Actress in a Drama Series award (for her work in Third Watch) rocking a stunning, slicked-back ponytail.

09
2004: Straight Up

At the premiere of Alfie, Long kept her look sleek and chic with a center-parted, razor-cut blowout.

10
2005: VH1 Vixen

At the VH1 Hip Hop Honors show, Long showcased her gorgeous face with a short, spiky crop.

11
2007: Glamour Girl

At a Hollywood party, Long pinned the top section of her hair back, and let the rest of her full waves cascade around her shoulders.

12
2007: Orange You Pretty?

Long swept her soft, loose curls to one side at the 2007 NAACP Image Awards.

13
2008: Lovely Long

Long looked beyond gorgeous at Clive Davis’ 2008 pre-Grammy Awards bash. She added some pieces to her smooth blowout for a voluminous, rumpled-on-purpose look

14
2009: It Girl

At the premiere of This is It, Long parted her sexy, boyish cut on the side and finger-styled the layers at the crown.

15
2009: Sophisticated Lady

At a Good Hair premiere, co-star Long hit the red carpet in a glossy, luscious, roller-set bob.

16
2009: Taking Sides

Long glowed at the Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2009 Fashion Show in a shiny side-ponytail.

17
2009: Shaggy Style

At the premiere of Good Hair, Long sported a shiny, layered shag with a side-swept bang.

18
2010: Short Story

At the ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon, Long styled her short strands into a sassy upsweep.

19
2011: High and Mighty

Nia Long arrived at the BET Awards in shimmering skin and a sexy, sky-high topknot.

20
2011: Short and Chic

At at Dark & Lovely event, Long returned to her short, chic pixie cut with eyebrow grazing bangs.

21
2012: TV Ready

Long made an appearance at the Good Day LA studios in swingable shoulder-length strands.

22
2012: Cover Star

For more of Nia’s glowing and gorgeous hairstyles, be sure to check out the August issue of ESSENCE on newsstands now!

23
2012: Totally Bangin’

Long arrived at the Children Uniting Nations Fundraiser wearing a chic center part with long bangs swept to each side.

24
2013: Ombre Babe

Nia Long’s brown waves look beautiful at The Best Man Holiday screening in New York City.

Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic
25
2013: Braidy Bunch

Nia Long rocks a sweet loose braid while slicing and dicing on The Chew on ABC in New York City.

Jeff Neira/ABC via Getty Images
26
2013: Side View

 Curls look pretty while Nia promotes the Affordable Care Act by holding up her #getcovered sign.

Instagram
27
2014: Side Swept

The Best Man Holiday star wore a side swept bangs to the Critics Choice Awards in January.

28
2014: Green with Envy

Nia Long attends the 45th NAACP Image Awards with loose chic curls. The look complements her kelly green relaxed chic gown.

John Sciulli/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