How Mýa, Chlöe, Normani, Ryan Destiny, and Sevyn Streeter referenced Aaliyah's iconic style for the Essence Festival tribute.

From Monica's checkered manicure to layered belts on Kandi Burruss, Essence Black Women in Music returned with iconic style moments.

From loc’d flowers to braid jewelry, take a look at some of the Braided Beauties we spotted at Essence Festival’s BeautyCon stage.

Monica's hairstylist Ricky Wing told the story of her beauty evolution, from 1995 to now, by giving her three era-defining styles for her performance.

From music and reality TV to being a multi-brand founder, here's how Kandi Burruss mastered the art of business pivoting.

In a film directed by Myesha Evon, Rebundle founder Ciara Imani May takes us through the process behind making braiding hair safe for Black women.

Cardi B talks to “The Naked Beauty” podcast’s Brooke DeVard about growing her haircare line, Grow-Good Beauty, for BeautyCon’s Passion to Profit panel.

Cardi B performed at her first-ever Essence Festival in a cutthroat chrome graffiti manicure—here's what to ask your nail tech for.

Ava Pearl and Hermela Lamps talk hair memories, motherhood, and their relationship to their hair on Essence Festival’s Between Us Curls panel.

In anticipation of her Essence Fest performance, we're looking back at the 2026 Black Women In Music honoree's most era-defining beauty moments.