The 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards aired on Tuesday night, October 10th, after being filmed in Atlanta last week. As the music industry celebrated its biggest achievers that night while honoring Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary, we were captivated by the beats and verses–and the breathtaking wins on the event’s iconic carpet.
[SEE ALSO: 8 Times Yara Shahidi’s Makeup Looks Swept Us Off Our Feet]
Renowned for being a canvas of audacious creative expression in fashion and beauty, this year’s carpet lived up to its reputation. We were particularly drawn to six striking hair and makeup looks that beautifully drew inspiration from each wearer’s natural canvas, showcasing not just their outward beauty but also their innate confidence. Join us as we delve into these bold beauty expressions that graced the BET Hip Hop Awards red carpet.
DJ Spinderella
You can’t honor 50 years of Hip Hop without celebrating one of the genre’s premier female DJs, Spinderella, who famously rocked the 1s and 2s for Salt ‘N Pepa. Spin wore her dark hair in loose curls around her shoulders for the show, with a smokey eye and nude gloss–a classic beauty choice befitting a true hip-hop icon of her stature.
Queen Naija
Leaning into the late 90s/early aughts beauty resurgence we’ve been loving lately, Queen Naija wore her hair stick straight with a sweeping side part and bangs tucked behind her ear while the rest of her fell over her shoulders–a look that harkened back to that iconic era. Completing the nostalgic yet contemporary look were rosy cheeks and eyeshadow, paired with meticulously lined lids and a warm, inviting brown gloss—a perfect fusion of past and present beauty trends.
Kaliii
Kaliii graced the carpet in her signature 2-tone twists, this time elevating her look by adding impressive length that elegantly skimmed her hips in the black Saint Laurent runway gown she rocked. Bronze-colored eyelids and lips complemented her skin’s golden glow.
GloRilla
GloRilla nailed her nod to Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, wearing chocolate brown hues in her hair, eye shadow, and lip gloss that perfectly complemented her ‘fit, inspired by the late singer. We’re very into her take on Left Eye’s high pony, opting instead for a crown of Bantu knots with front bangs and straightened hair hanging down her back. Her homage captured the era’s essence while adding her unique touch.
Lady London
Lady London exuded effortless chic as she graced the red carpet as host. She wore a chic, loosely pinned top knot accented by a long, sweeping, barrel-curled bang that drew the eye down to her jewels and glittering red dress.
Tasha & Tracie
Best International Flow nominees Tasha & Tracie brought the international cool girls vibes, rocking their signature natural curls, barely there makeup, and glossy lips.
Who had your favorite beauty look on the carpet?
