The Secrets Behind Taraji P. Henson's Hairstyles At The BET Awards
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
- July 3, 2024
Beauty breakdown….
For the 2024 BET Awards, hairstylist Tym Wallace crafted five captivating looks for Taraji P. Henson, courtesy of TPH by Taraji.
The “Empire” alum returned for her third stint as the award show host, channeling inspiration from Aaliyah, Diana Ross, and more. To achieve the looks of the night, Tym used TPH by Taraji Scalp-Care, Strengthening & Lengthening Collections, and treatment styling collections because it protects, nourishes, and styles all hair types.
From bob styles to luscious curls, and ’90s fringe hairstyles, TPH by Taraji products helped Tym lay the best hair foundation for the hair changes throughout culture’s biggest night.
Check out Tym’s full beauty breakdown below.
Look #1: Classic Bob
Taraji first hit the red carpet with the style of the moment, The Bob! Taraji’s signature and ever-so classic look, gracefully set the tone for Culture’s Biggest Night. And of course I added some highlights for some edge.
Because we will have many looks throughout the night, it’s important we start with hair care to make sure Taraji’s hair is moisturized. Everything starts with the scalp so we thoroughly cleansed her scalp with TPH by Taraji’s Master Cleanse and followed up with Mint Condition.
TPH by Taraji’s Master Cleanse
$14.97
TPH by Taraji’s Mint Condition
$11.97
After cleansing her scalp, we shampooed with So Lengthy and added moisture back using the New Levelz conditioner from her Strengthening and Lengthening line.
I then sectioned her hair and used TPH by Taraji’s Hot Commodity to protect it before blow drying with the new Shark FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond using the Styling Concentrator attachment.
Once her hair was straightened to perfection, I cut her tresses into a jaw-length bob, adding in Textures by Covet & Mane – Curly to create the perfect highlights without the commitment!
TPH by Taraji’s So Lengthy
$9.97
TPH by Taraji’s New Levelz
$9.97
TPH by Taraji’s Hot Commodity
$13.97
Shark FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond
$349.99
Look #2: Flipped Bob
Inspired by Diana Ross and the Supremes of the ’60s era, this trending flipped bob style is pure sophistication while nodding to the decade.
I prepped the wig using refreshing and detangling with TPH by Taraji’s Soak it Off then reset with Keep It Fresh. Wavy hair is the perfect texture for the flips because you want the hair to have bounce and movement.
I blow dried the wig using the Oval Brush attachment from Shark Beauty’s FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond for maximum bounce and frizz control.
TPH by Taraji’s Soak it Off
$11.97
TPH by Taraji’s Keep It Fresh
$11.97
Shark FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond
$349.99
For an install that is flawless on HD TV, I used Professional Hair Lab’s GHOSTBOND Glow Up to ensure security and a matte finish around the hairline. You’d typically apply using a very thin layer and letting dry before adding additional layers and applying the wig once it dries clear. Since we were switching multiple looks, I didn’t want a super strong hold, but I still wanted security so 1 layer of GHOSTBOND Glow Up was perfect.
After the wig was installed, I finished styling.
Professional Hair Lab’s GHOSTBOND GLOW UP
$15.99 – $50.00
Look #3: Big Curly Hair
Go Curly or Go Home! For this show look, I decided to bring some drama with some textured curls. Curls look best when they are bouncy, juicy and moisturized!
You need a diffuser for this look, and the best one is Shark Beauty’s FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond using the Curl Defining Diffuser attachment. Going from root to tip, I moved the diffuser through the hair until dry. After brushing out the hair, I then defined some sections using the 1.25” Auto-Wrap Curlers for extra bounce.
Once I created the middle part, I finished the look by adding TPH Keep It Fresh Wig and Curl Refresher for shine. I applied the wig with Professional Hair Lab’s Ghostbond Glow Up which made sure Taraji’s hair stayed in place.
Shark FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond
$349.99
TPH by Taraji’s Keep It Fresh
$11.97
Professional Hair Lab’s GHOSTBOND GLOW UP
$15.99 – $50.00
Look #4: ’90s Fringe
Since we’re celebrating Black Music, I had to pay homage to the 90’s and “our baby girl” Aaliyah by giving Taraji a ’90s fringe style with a deep side part in a soft coppery brown hue.
The perfect side part starts with shampoo and conditioner for an ultra sleek look. I used we shampooed with So Lengthy and added moisture back using the New Levelz conditioner from her Strengthening and Lengthening line.
Before blow drying, I used TPH by Taraji’s Hot Commodity to protect her hair strands.
This look is all about accentuating the fringes of the style and lots of movement. I parted the hair, then achieved the perfect blow out using the Shark Beauty’s FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond with the Paddle Brush attachment. I curled the layers using the 1.25” Air-Wrap Curlers to complete the look.
Under the hot lights of the stage, I have to make sure Taraji’s looks stay in place using GHOSTBOND Glow Up by Professional Hair Labs. Since we were doing multiple looks, I didn’t want a super strong hold but I still wanted security so 1 layer of GHOSTBOND Glow Up was perfect.
TPH by Taraji’s So Lengthy
$9.97
TPH by Taraji’s New Levelz
$9.97
TPH by Taraji’s Hot Commodity
$13.97
Shark FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond
$349.99
Professional Hair Lab’s GHOSTBOND GLOW UP
$15.99 – $50.00
Look #5: Wavy Bob
This look is all about effortless texture! I wanted to give her a wavy look – the Taraji way.
Every look starts with TPH by Taraji. The perfect side part starts with shampoo and conditioner for an ultra-sleek look. I used we shampooed with So Lengthy and added moisture back using the New Levelz conditioner from her Strengthening and Lengthening line. Before blow drying, I used TPH by Taraji’s Hot Commodity to protect her hair strands.
To create the waves, I used Shark Beauty’s FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying System in Black Diamond Oval Brush attachment. Once the hair was dry, I went in with the 1.25” Air Curler in big sections to create a lived-in texture. I used the Styling Concentrator to keep the bangs looking fresh and flirty.