Tough Girl Chic: The Hot New Beauty & Hair Moment

The queen of the tough girls, Rihanna goes hard in a spiky, “Flock of Seagulls” hairstyle and dramatically winged black liquid liner.

Insanely gorgeous Shingai Shoniwa of The Noisettes attended a Vivienne Westwood party in London wearing a Grace Jones-inspired afro pompadour, warrior-striped eyeshadow and in-your-face faux lashes.

Amerie gets tough in unstyled, rumpled waves, a few platinum extensions and a slash of ruby-red lipstick. “Confrontational” never looked so good.

With her traditional style sensibility, cascading extensions and ladylike demeanor, Michelle Williams was the last star we ever thought would embrace the tough chic moment. But she has! Check out her new, choppy haircut, black eyeshadow and sharp-shouldered silhouette. Go ’head, Michelle.

Mel B debuted her new, side-shave ’do at LAX airport this week. This bold, uncompromising look is a far cry from her pop star days.

Honestly, it doesn’t get much tougher than Lady Gaga at the American Music Awards.

When singer Dawn Richard was with pop/R&B group Danity Kane, her look was uber-femme (ie, long, wavy extensions and tons of blush). These days, Dawn’s aesthetic has definitely toughed up—we love her short, edgy crop and motorcycle jacket.

Vanessa Simmons is the newest celeb to chop off her long, girly tresses! She debuted her decidedly more edgy look at a the Pastry Box of Chocolates shoe launch in Vegas.

Leona Lewis is usually all about an uber-feminine, girly look (think mounds of bouncy Barbie hair and flirty makeup)—but at a recent magazine party in Madrid, she toughened things up with an oversized, fuzzy bun, cat-eye liner and a severe, geometric cocktail dress. We see you, Leona!

Model/singer Cassie was one of the first uber-sexy R&B babes to ditch the pinup girl trappings in favor of a bolder moment—jet-black, shaved-on-one-side strands and matte, rock-star-red lips.

Chrisette Michelle looks bold and powerful with her smokey eyes, strong pompadour, and rocker chick tee.

With her tattoos, gold chains, and boyish haircut, Monica bridges the style gap between “don’t mess with me” and “how sexy am I?”

Estelle and Eva Marcille were giving major ’tude at a recent fashion party. Between Estelle, with her buzz cut and plaid flannel, and Eva, with her military jacket and red lips, they both look ready to engage in a serious a style battle.

Beyonce’s sweet little sister turned into a bonafide style icon when she shaved her head and began rocking a bolder, edgier style. There’s nothing “sweet” about her dark eyes, hot pink lips, and head-to-toe black ensemble.