“HIGH LIKE.” PHOTOGRAPHY BY MERIE WALLACE/HBO
Hair is a big part of our personal style. The way we style our hair says a lot about who we are and what we’re trying to convey. In recent years, there have been some truly iconic hairstyle moments in both movies and music videos that have influenced our hairstyle choices.
From the Beatles to Beyonce, these cultural touchstones have had a major impact on how we wear our hair.
We will explore 9 movies and music videos with incredible hairstyles that hold strong connections to our hairstyle choices even until today. So whether you’re looking for a new iconic hairdo or simply want to take a walk down memory lane, keep scrolling to continue reading.
Beyoncé’s Box Braids in the “Lemonade” Music Video
It’s no surprise that Beyoncé’s hairstyles have inspired women over the years. From her iconic “Beyoncé” haircut to her long, flowing locks, Beyoncé has definitely had some memorable hairstyles.
Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” film and visual album which was released in 2016, features the singer in an array of stunning hairstyles — all of which fast became trendsetters. From voluminous curls to a faux bob to a sleek and straight ponytail, to her signature Lemonade braids, Bey’s Pantene celebrity hairstylist, Kim Kimble has always been on top of the game!
Black Panther’s “Wakanda Forever” movie
One of the simple messages the Black Panther sequel preaches is that Black hair is beautiful. One of the most anticipated movies of 2022, Wakanda Forever, is already having an influence on women’s hairstyle preferences. Women are adopting bold, stunning hairstyles inspired by the movie’s starring heroines while embracing their own hair types.
Photo: Marvel Studios There are some truly creative hairstyles in Wakanda Forever, including Shuri’s (Letitia Wright) stunning mohawk and Nakia’s (Lupita Nyong’o) daring red-tinged dreadlocks.
Lead hairstylist, Camille Friend says she drew much of the Talokanil tribe’s hair inspiration from Mayan and Mesoamerican mythology, which required her to conduct research and even consult with a Professor of Mayan studies. She was influenced by Senegalese warriors’ look for the Jabari tribe.
“The Woman King” movie
The Woman King is a 2022 film set in the 1820s that tells the story of strong black women warriors who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey during the 17th to 19th centuries.
The Agojies’ heritage is shown through their hairstyles, some of which reportedly date as far back as 5000 years ago to the Dahomey empire (modern-day Republic of Benin). The wow factor for the stunning and memorable hairstyles in the epic movie is the historical and cultural accuracy. Louisa Anthony, Emmy award-winning hairstylist, and the lead hairstylist collaborated with 25 local braiders to master new techniques in braiding and protective styling.
Daenerys Targaryen’s Braided Updo in the HBO’s “Games of Thrones”
Since the beginning of HBO’s Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen’s (played by Emilia Clarke) hairstyle has been a source of inspiration for many women. Her iconic braided updo has been copied by celebrities and women alike. The simplicity of the style makes it easy to recreate and is flattering for all face shapes.
The iconic hairstyle features an equal number of braids on each side of her head, held together at the back of her head, with a few slight variations in some seasons.
Issa Rae’s Hairstyle in “Insecure”
HBO’s Insecure made the waves not just for its interesting plot, but also for the mind-blowing hairstyles the lead star, Issa Rae rocks! From Molly’s bangs to Kelli’s curls, to Rae’s spontaneous hairstyles, the HBO 2016 comedy drama truly served up some serious hair inspiration.
Photo: Merie WallaceE/HBO In one episode, Issa rocked a beautiful headwrap style that had us all swooning. It was the perfect mix of stylish and practical. Another episode saw her sporting a gorgeous braided updo that was both elegant and edgy. We loved the way her hair was styled away from her face, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.
Her hair was styled by the super-talented celebrity hairstylist, Felicia Leatherwood.
Yemi Alade’s “Bubble It” Music Video
Yemi Alade is known for her penchant for eye-popping afro-centric hairstyles.
In the music video for her hit song “Bubble It,” the Nigerian singer sports fun and funky hair styled into a high triple-roll Afro bun that is pulled back away from her face in a packing gel style.
The result is a playful and youthful look that is sure to inspire some new hairstyle choices this season.
Taraji P. Henson in Fox’s “Empire”
The 2015 TV hit show, which chronicles the rise of a hip-hop mogul and his family, has been praised for its fashion and beauty moments. When it comes to hairstyle choices, there are few movies and music videos that have had as much of an influence as Fox’s Empire.
Photo: Chuck Hodes/Fox Leading the pack is none other than Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon. Her style was fearless, bold, and unapologetic—just like her character. She alternates between long straight hair, short and long bobs, bangs, ponytails, and buns.
Porshia, Cookie’s assistant, also has a fiery personality that matches her distinctive Mohawk hairdo. Becky G’s beautiful, shiny, and lustrous wavy hair is also impossible to miss.
Empire Still - P 2015 (Fox) It’s no surprise that the show has spawned some seriously iconic hairstyles.
Katniss Everdeen’s Dutch Braids — The Hunger Games
Katniss from The Hunger Games did not just become a symbol of hope for the oppressed people of Panem. She also influenced our hairstyle choices by extension.
Photo Courtesy Katniss’ signature braid is something that many girls have tried to recreate since the film was released. Her brave and determined attitude is also something we can all aspire to, making her an excellent role model for girls everywhere.
“Black is King” Music Video
It’s no secret that black culture has had a major influence on mainstream society. From fashion to music, black people have always been trendsetters. This is also true when it comes to hair. Over the years, there have been many black celebrities whose hairstyles have influenced the way we wear our hair.
Photo: Courtesy Parkwood Entertainment / Disney Plus The “Black is King” is an extension of Beyoncé’s previous album — The Lion King.
Photo: Courtesy Parkwood Entertainment / Disney Plus This timeless classic featured over 40 amazing hairstyles promoting the African culture and values — some of which include Bey’s 30-foot knotless box braids, Bantu Knots, and her conical braided and beaded hairstyle from the “Brown Skin Girl” music video.
