Essence Mag has recently revealed the ‘best black hair moments’ of the past ten years.
At the top of the list? Singer-songwriter and sister to the Queen Bey, Solange. Her 2016 SNL hairstyle was a sight to behold and reportedly took over 50 hours to create. Coming in a close second was sister, Beyonce’s, “Lemonade Braids” look.
Other remarkable styles that made the list include Nicki Minaj’s floor-length extensions and Janelle Monae’s playful accessories. Rounding out the list in fifth place was Maria Borge’s natural afro. Worn at a Victoria’s Secret Fashion show in 2015, the look sparked a broader social movement to embrace: natural hair in America.
KUWTK (Keeping up with the Knowles)…
Considering their successful music careers, growing families, and superstar husbands, it can be difficult to keep up with everything the Knowles sisters have going on.
Beyonce and Solange are not necessarily rivals, even though they are often pitted against each other. Other than Solange’s bizarre 2014 elevator altercation with Jay-Z, their relationship has always been positive.
Mother, Tina Lawson, even admitted that she used to take her daughters to therapy as children. She did this to help them navigate their relationship as they grew into their stardom.
The fact that both sisters made it on Essence Mag’s list is really a celebration for the whole family. However, having lived in her sister’s shadow nearly all her life, Solange can enjoy the fact she has better hair.
Maria Borge’s look celebrates natural hair in America
In addition to Solange and Beyonce’s looks, another notable hairstyle that made the list was Angola-born Maria Borge’s afro. Borge, who signed with IMG in 2015, has walked the Victoria’s Secret runway show 5 years in a row.
Showcased at the 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Borge’s natural hair was absolutely stunning. Not only that, it sparked a broader movement for women of color all over the world to embrace their natural hair.
Because of Borges, other models have since ditched their weaves and wigs to flaunt their real hair. Herieth Paul and Jourdana Phillips have both embraced their natural hairstyles in recent modeling work.
Other styles on the list
In addition to Essence Mag’s nod to natural hair in America, a few other looks made their list.
Coming in third place is “Hidden Figures” star Janelle Monae. Essence loved Monae’s ordinary yet eccentric hair accessories. Hair stylist, Nikki Nelms, decorates Monae’s hair with safety pins and craft stickers. One look even featured googly eyes stuck all over her updo. This look ultimately helped secure her spot in Essence Mag’s list; just below Solange and Beyonce.
Coming in fourth place was singer songwriter Nicki Minaj. Minaj is already known as a style icon, and over the past decade she has experimented with hundreds of looks.
The look that earned her the fourth place position though was her extra-long hair extensions she wore back in 2017. Almost touching the floor, Minaj’s forty-inch extensions were worn at the Daily Front Row’s 3rd Annual Media Fashion Awards.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.