We love Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson’s soft sleek bob which was both flat ironed and blown out. To keep your strands smooth and fly-away free, try Age Renew Polishing Serum, $6.49, sallybeauty.com. Place a small amount in palms and distribute evenly through clean, towel-dried hair.
Beyoncé opted for a sophisticated tried but true style at the 40th Annual NAACP Awards earlier this month. The pop diva’s loose golden curls offer a quiet sex appeal and the length is a perfect complement to her bare-shoulder gown. If you choose to rock a similar style, be sure to keep your curls in check with a light serum like John Frieda Collection Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum ($10, drugstores nationwide). Extra bonus: The compact size can fit in your clutch bag while you’re out on the town!
Singer Janelle Monae has made this sleek and funky natural pompadour her trademark. Shown here at this year’s Grammy Awards show, Monae’s thick mane is swept up and off her face with the help of a vintage French roll in the back. To keep natural tresses healthy, consider a nourishing conditioner like the budget-friendly Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Pak, ($1, drugstores nationwide).
Supermodel Alek Wek sports her trademark low-cut natural to this year’s Golden Globes. Wek already shines in this gorgeous sparkling green mini, so her hair calls for a subtle style. Products like Healthy Hair Butter from Carol’s Daughter, ($10.50, sephora.com) are excellent for maintaining unprocessed strands.
Grown and sexy actress Keshia Knight Pulliam turns heads on the red carpet at the 40th Annual NAACP Awards with a retro-inspired updo. This type of style requires a finishing spray to keep the style fresh but soft. We suggest Mizani Firm Holding Spray, (about $12, beauty supply stores nationwide).
Singer Alicia Keys lights up the red carpet at this year’s Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Long chestnut tresses are parted on one side and her loose waves tousled just so for a seductive do. A styling aid like TRESemme Smoothing Collection Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Creme ($4, drugstores) will help keep this look in place.
A gorgeous Whitney Houston presents the first award to Jennifer Hudson for Best R&B Album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. The diva goes for dos that have tons of form and shape. If you are in your mid 30s to 40s with long hair, try a hot new medium bob cut like Whitney’s. Remember, when making a major styling change, consider your personal style, face shape and hair texture.
Stepping into 2009 with her A-game, Grammy and Image Award winner Jennifer Hudson dazzles us with her red-carpet hairstyles. We can’t get enough of this delightful side-swept bob with polished waves. Flat iron your hair out first to smooth down your tresses, and using a medium-sized curling iron, add structured flipped waves by curling your hair over rather than under the barrel.
“Latifah’s dress is very elegant, modern and chic, and her hair needs to complement this, so we decided on a modern chignon which features very smooth hair, a side part, bangs that swoop down in front, a low bun in the back that is off to the side,” says the Queen’s hairstylist Julie Baker of her Oscar do.
To achieve this glamorous modern look, apply FHI Heat Hot Sauce, $9.99, amazon.com, to your slightly damp hair. Blow your locks out smooth with the FHI Heat Nano Salon Pro 2100 blow dryer, $195, fhiheat.com. Then style into chignon for a do fit for a queen.
Fantasia sparkles in sequins and crystals at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. By only pulling back half of the hair, the “Idol” star’s facial features appear soft and feminine. Try this flirty up do by pulling hair loosely back and allowing face-framing curls to naturally fall and frame on one side of the face. We like Goody bobby pins to keep your hairs in place. Try the Goody Colour Collection, $2.99, drugstores that allows you to match the pins to your hair color.
Red-carpet style comes naturally to Hollywood’s top Black leading ladies. From the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon to the Oscars to the Golden Globes, join us as we take a look at the award season’s most memorable hairdos.
Get style inspiration from your favorite stars and learn how to steal their looks with our styling tips and tricks.
Maintain your mane in your 40s like Halle Berry by combat weakening strands with a deep moisturizing mask once a week.
A sexy short bob like actress Wendy Raquel Robinson’s starts with an asymmetrical cut. To ensure a sleek look, don’t forget to fight frizz. Try just a touch of Reflections Liquid Shine by design essentials, $14.50, designessentials.com, on the ends.
With a busy schedule, actress Sanaa Lathan needs to protect her hair from excessive heat damage. To prevent dry, fried ends try ghd thermal protector, $25, ghdhair.com, before you flat iron or blow dry your hair.
Perfect your natural curls like Tracee Ellis Ross, shown here at ESSENCE’s Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, with a small curling iron. Twist small sections around the barrel and go. Don’t forget to use a lightweight thermal-protection product before applying heat.
