• Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Hot Hair: The New Sleek Styles

After a season filled with lush, fluffy curls and loose side-plaits, this summer's hottest new hair look is sleek, sleek, sleek. The style itself doesn't really matter, as long as the hair is slicked back tightly from the forehead (pompadours and parts need not apply). From "I Dream of Jeannie" ponytails to chic topknots, here are our favorite superstar sleek styles.
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Pony Up

Kerry Washington gave the standard, braided pony a glam update by pairing it with diamond hoops and a dazzling emerald cocktail dress.

02
Glamour Girl

Naomi Campbell accessorizes her pony with an ornate, bejeweled hairpiece — very ooh-la-la!

03
Straight Strands

Alicia Keys combed her hair straight back for a regal look that showed off her cheekbones — and that sexy pink pout.

04
Green Day

Lala Vasquez Anthony brought attention to her enchanting green-hazel eyes by sweeping her strands straight back into a topknot.

05
Angel Face

Kimberly Elise accentuates her slicked-back bun with this a delicately embroidered headband. So angelic!

06
Casual Corner

Raven Symone slicked her hair back into a easy breezy, wavy pony for a casual-yet-elegant look.

07
Retro Fabulous

Nia Long looked like a sizzling Sixties siren in this sleek, supersized fun.

08
Sophisticated Lady

With her slicked down, sophisticated low bun, all eyes were on Jessica White at a recent Rolling Stone fete.

09
Versatile Vixen

Sanaa Lathan swept her strands into an easy-as-pie topknot that’s pretty for day, and glamorous for night.

10
Curly Girly

Beyonce slicks her blonde-streaked curls back into a chic, low ponytail.

11
High Times

Zoe Kravitz goes for hipster cool with this fire engine red lips and a slicked-back topknot.

12
Half n’ Half

Gabrielle Union rocked a tight, half-up/half-down style to the BET Awards.

13
Exotic City

Alicia Keys adds an exotic flair to her intricate bun with a dangling pearl headpiece.

14
High Times

Ciara’s high, tight pony puts her gorgeous features on display.

15
Drama Queen

Katerina Graham’s “I Dream of Jeannie” ponytail is a look that manages to be high-drama and classic, at the same time.

16
Cool Girl

Tracee Ellis Ross pulls her curls back into a messy knot — classy, easy, and cool.

17
Haute Headband

Garcelle Beauvais slicks her hair back with a headband for a sleek, sophisticated look.

18
E is for Elegant

YaYa Dacosta pulls her natural tresses back in a low-key bun for a casually elegant vibe.

19
Keep it Tight

Sanaa Lathan flaunts her almond shaped eyes with this tightly pulled-back ponytail.

20
Luxe Locks

Kimora Lee Simmons manages to make this easy breezy style look impossibly luxe.

21
Sleek & Chic

Paula Patton looks positively regal with her tresses combed straight back off her forehead.

22
Chic Chignon

Jada Pinkett Smith brushes her long, thick locks back into a braided chignon, showcasing her perfect features and sexy shoulders.

23
Sophisticated Lady

Dania Ramirez’ high, sleek, tucked-under bun is the height of sexy sophistication.

Read More

Celebrity
Summer Walker Announces Pregnancy
Videos
Taraji P. Henson’s Favorite Moments at the BET Awards
Videos
Taraji P. Henson Opens Up About The BET Awards
Videos
Nas | Essence Festival 2022
Shop
Kate Spade's Sale Is On Sale
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2022 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

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