By Brooklyn White ·January 25, 2021January 25, 2021
As a Black woman in her mid-20s, Alicia Keys has been my hair inspiration for as long as I can remember.
From her beaded braids, to her natural curls, I’ve consistently been inspired by the Black beauty looks she chooses and the deep significance behind them. “Hair is such a gorgeous expression of our individuality and deserves to be respected,” she said to Glamour UK in November 2020. “I’ve always been proud of wearing braids and I love learning about the power of hair. I’ve always felt royal when I wear braids. There’s something so beautiful about the Blackness of it, about my African ancestry that I just feel truly connected to.” Ain’t that the truth.
Keys first appeared on the cover of ESSENCE in 2002, rocking flawless Fulani braids. She has since been featured as a cover star 5 more times, in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2019.
Alicia Keys on the March 2002 cover of ESSENCE.
As she grew as an artist and woman, Keys began to showcase a variety of other styles, including finger waves, a cropped haircut and loose curls. She also experimented with bangs, her natural hair and a straightened look.
In addition to being a natural beauty, Keys is a vocal powerhouse whose debut project, Songs in A Minor, was released in 2001. It debuted at#1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and won 5 of the 6 Grammys it was nominated for. The project is also 7x platinum in the United States. Her most recent release, Alicia, dropped in September 2020 and was lauded by critics, in addition to being a Billboard success. It was her 7th album thus far.
All in all, Alicia Keys is a queen when it comes to beauty and sound and I will forever appreciate her—as we all should.
Scroll to see her hair evolution over the years below.
01Soul Singing Sister 
Getty 0270’s Go-Go Girl
2002 Braided Power Puff “If you’re a woman rocking braids, keep your scalp moisturized and don’t have the hair pulled too tightly. It’s okay to have to get your hair rebraided every two weeks rather than cause breakage and tension around the hairline unnecessarily,” advises celebrity stylist Tippi Shorter, who has worked with Keys’ for the last three years.
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
Getty 2004 Braided Beauty “Alicia is definitely not wearing braids like when she first came out, but we have done them for music videos and on her downtime," says Shorter.
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
AP 04Pinned Updo 
Getty 05Bouncin’! 
AP 06Floral Fancy
2005 Long Lush Locks “I then use an anti-frizz leave-in conditioner from TRESemme after shampooing and conditioning Alicia’s hair to protect her strands and add extra moisture to the hair,” dishes Shorter.
Getty 2006 Small Cornrows When ESSENCE magazine talked the star about missing her braids, Keys replied, “Yes, but they’re always in my vibe, in my cipher. I think my braids are beautiful, and there are times that I wear them, just for me. They’re not gone forever.”
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
AP 2006 Blunt Bangs Long bangs add a youthful sparkle to your appearance. To get a smooth finish like Keys, Shorter says, “Start off with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner like Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Shampoo and Conditioner that helps fight frizz and keeps the hair manageable."
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
AP 2007 Tousled Bob “I create a >BET or Teen Choice Awards we’ll go with a look that’s fashion forward and approachable," says Shorter.
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
Getty 10Flirty And Fun 
AP 11Fluff and Go
2007 Natural Curls “I really like to live my life in a low-key fashion,” says Keys, who also prefers a low-maintenance hair regime, opting lately to wear her natural curls.
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
Getty 2007 Undone Waves “If I’m going to blow it out or roll set her curls, I’ll start with the TRESemme 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse, then style it and finish it off with the 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray that really holds the hair, yet leaves the strands soft and touchable,” explains Shorter.
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
Getty 13Pulled Back, Low Ponytail
2008 Loose Spiral Curls “When she wears her hair curly, I love to use the Bed Head Curls Rock products on her hair because it’s lightweight and works great for everyday use,” says Shorter.
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
Getty 2008 Blown Out Waves “I don’t feel like I have to catch up to anybody else. I want to set the pace and my own pulse,” says Keys, seen here on our June 2008 cover, with hairstyling byTippi Shorter for Clairol.
Check out more hairstyles we think you’ll want to rock for spring»
ESSENCE/Cliff Watts 15Pretty In Paris 
16Sexy Sleek 
17Half Up, Half Down 
18Multi-colored Box Braids For The Win 
19This Curl Is On Fire! 
20Shining At The 2020 Grammys 
TOPICS: Alicia Keys
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