1 of 48
The queen of new hair icons, Rihanna has tried every length and color under the sun. Last week, she rocked out in a riot of ringlets on tour in Minneapolis.
2 of 48
With this smooth shoulder-length ’do, Rihanna looks every inch the elegant glamour girl.
3 of 48
We’re obsessed with Rihanna’s full, fluffy, Ann-Margret-inspired coif.
4 of 48
Whether it’s Solange with her funky-cool ’fro, or Rihanna with her parade of fire-engine-red styles, these seventeen tress trendsetters are the new hair icons to watch.
5 of 48
Solange channels early 90’s vixens with this long, braided style.
6 of 48
Here, she adds coily twists to her TWA.
7 of 48
This model-turned-actress is fast becoming a natural hair role model. Her cool updo’s are always the height of chic (no pun intended).
8 of 48
YaYa goes for a soft, feminine look with a precisely curled upsweep.
9 of 48
YaYa goes for a wild, sex kitten-vibe with her natural blowout.
10 of 48
From a multicolored bob to a platinum, Bride of Frankenstein-meets-Marie Antoinette bouffant, Ms. Minaj’s over the top wigs are almost as famous as her killer rhymes.
11 of 48
Nicki goes for a sugary-sweet look in her signature candy pink wig.
12 of 48
At an event last year, all eyes were on Nicki with her Rainbow Brite, color-blocked coif.
13 of 48
This pint-size pop star has little girls (and quite a few grownups) whipping their hair back and forth! Whether she’s rocking braids or a side-shave, her styles are always inspired.
14 of 48
At an awards show, Willow rocked a sky-high pompadour paired with a long ponytail.
15 of 48
Here, the darling ten year-old sports her natural waves in a New Wave-inspired pouf.
16 of 48
Eva Marcille has rocked every style from long curls to a barely-there buzz. And now her white-blonde pixie has spawned zillions of imitators. So stunning!
17 of 48
At an early fashion show, Marcille rocked a finger-styled, coppery brown ’do.
18 of 48
Here, the model/actress rocks her short curls in volumized, two-toned pompadour.
19 of 48
Whether Melanie Fiona’s long, black locks are worn wavy and loose, or swept up in a haute hippie bun, she always looks dazzling.
20 of 48
Fiona sweeps her long, jet-black waves over a shoulder for an easy-breezy look.
21 of 48
Here, Fiona strikes an elegant chord by pairing a low ponytail with a vampy, wine-stained lip.
22 of 48
In the past year, Keri Hilson has gone from brunette to platinum; cute pixie to Marilyn-inspired curls; and now she’s rocking an asymmetric bob. We love her fearlessness!
23 of 48
Recently, Hilson’s been hitting the party circuit in shoulder-length, platinum waves.
24 of 48
Keri’s short, honey-blonde crop spawned a zillion imitations.
25 of 48
Katerina Graham always rocks her long, dark waves in fashion-forward styles like funky, asymmetric updos and loose braids.
26 of 48
Katerina looks stunning in a teased, curly updo and look-at-me lashes.
27 of 48
Here, Graham goes for a casual chic style with this loose side ponytail.
28 of 48
We credit British songbird Estelle with single-handedly bringing back the short bowl cut! This tress trendsetter is always at the forefront of what’s cool and edgy.
29 of 48
Here, the British songstress lengthens her locks with some wavy, chin-length pieces.
30 of 48
At the BET Awards, Estelle turned heads in a dramatic, uber-short pixie.
31 of 48
Dirty Money’s Kalenna Harper and Dawn Richard are always pushing boundaries when it comes to their hairstyles. Whether it’s a two-toned rooster cut or a Louise Brooks bob, these girls are fierce.
32 of 48
On “106 and Park,” the Dirty Money girls looked fierce in their glossy, asymmetric bangs.
33 of 48
We love Dawn’s single platinum stripe and Kalenna’s smooth, jet-black side-swoop.
34 of 48
Esperanza Spalding may have won the Grammy for Best New Artist this year, but everyone was looking at her hair. Her lush, oversized afro is beyond chic — and she knows it!
35 of 48
At the Grammy’s, Spalding hit the red carpet in an elegant afro upsweep.
36 of 48
Here, she poses with her Best New Artist Grammy…and the fluffiest, softest-look ’fro on the face of the Earth!
37 of 48
The former Floetry singer’s curly natural bob is quickly becoming as famous as her gorgeous, sultry voice.
38 of 48
Marsha’s natural strands are very versatile! Here, she sports a flat-ironed, softly layered cut.
39 of 48
The singer looks so cool in her bouncy, bronze-streaked curls.
40 of 48
We can’t be totally sure that Cassie started the side-shave trend, but she was definitely one of the first — and now everyone and their auntie is rocking this edgy look.
41 of 48
Cassie takes a break from her usual cutting-edge styles with a gorgeous oversize bun.
42 of 48
Here, the stunning model/singer sports a messy updo with a long, swooping bang.
43 of 48
When Kanye’s former girlfriend stepped on the scene with an almost-bald buzz cut and a fashion pout, a trend was born.
44 of 48
Paired with bronzed skin and dangly earrings, Amber Rose’s buzz cut looks oh-so-feminine.
45 of 48
Shades and crimson lipstick add edge to Rose’s platinum buzz cut.
46 of 48
The lead singer of the “Noisettes” is well-known for her sculptural, imaginative natural hairstyles. We love her devotion to whimsical hair accessories.
47 of 48
The singer looks positively regal in this mile-high upsweep.
48 of 48
With matte, strawberry pink lips and pearly eyeshadow, Shoniwa adds a flirty touch to her edgy pompadour.
You may like
Read More
Get The Essence Newsletter and Special Offers delivered to your inbox!