BEAUTY EVOLUTION

Taraji P. Henson Isn’t Afraid of Bold and Beautiful Hair and Makeup


Hidden Figures actress Taraji P. Henson doesn’t shy away from trying new beauty looks. Here’s a look back at the W cover star‘s best looks over the years.

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Not everyone can pull off a faux flower hair accessory, but in 2001 (with a few baby braids and a golden smoky eye), Henson did just that.

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Not too light, not too dark. The actress demonstrated the perfect hue for highlights at the 2005 premiere of her film, “Hustle & Flow.”

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The star donned another pretty plait at the 2006 TNT Black Movie Awards, this time wrapped into a formal updo. With silver eye shadow and flawless skin, Henson proves the best way to make a beauty statement is with one or two strong elements and little else.

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Henson can do ladylike, too—like this curled short bob and bright red lip at the “Frankie and Alice” L.A. premiere.

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The high pony has taken a break. The top knot is done. Perhaps now models, It girls, and actresses should resurrect the flirty side bun, à la TPH in 2011?

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Henson wears her top bun with full bangs and luminous skin at the Sundance Institute Alumni Event in 2012.

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Henson’s daring tendencies aren’t limited to her film choices, as this purple lipstick-and-eye shadow combination proves.

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Henson paired a pink lip with an emerald green eye at the 2013 365 Black Awards.

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Wearing relaxed curls and a magenta pink lip, Henson attended the Think Like A Man Too photo call in 2014.

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The actress doesn’t need dramatic makeup to make a statement. With simple glowing skin and subtle fake lashes, Henson glowed in 2014.

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With sleek side bangs and colorful smoky eye, Henson looked elegant at the BET Celebration of Gospel in 2014.

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Henson stunned with a long fishtail braid, lined eyes, and black and red nail art at the 2015 NAACP Image Awards. That flushed, glowing skin? Most likely a side effect of the Entertainer of the Year Award she took home that night.

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The actress smoldered at the 2015 CFDA Awards—she even made our top 10 list “for her sultry everything.”

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With a half bun, side braids, long, loose curls, and a golden eye at Spike TV’s Guys Choice 2015 Awards, Henson proves she follows no one’s beauty rules but her own.

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The actress wore her hair in bouncy ringlets at the VH1 Big In 2015 event.

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Henson took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama at the Golden Globe awards in 2016–and won our award for best haircut at the same time.

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At the Women In Film 2016 Crystal + Lucy Awards, Henson wore her hair in a sleek ponytail.

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Henson attended a screening of Hidden Figures with her hair in a short, straight bob.

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Henson wore her natural curls with sun-kissed skin at the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2016.

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Henson wore her hair in an angular bob with a purple smoky eye as she celebrates her win at the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards for Hidden Figures in 2017.

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Taraji P. Henson at the 2017 Academy Awards.