Celebrities Who Shape Black Hair Culture and Inspire Today’s Most Iconic Styles

April 17, 2025

From red carpet appearances to music videos and magazine covers, celebrities have long influenced hair trends across generations. In the Black community especially, stars have been instrumental in elevating and normalizing protective styles, textured hair, bold colors, and natural looks that express identity and creativity.

At RJ Hair Creations, we celebrate the icons who have helped shape the culture—past and present. From the legacy of Diana Ross to the fearless style of Nicki Minaj, here's a closer look at the celebrities who continue to inspire the hairstyles you love and wear today.

Doja Cat

Doja Cat has become the queen of transformation. Since shaving her head in 2022, she’s consistently reinvented herself using high-fashion wigs, from sleek buzzcuts to bright sculptural styles. She’s known for bold, artistic wigs that push boundaries—great for clients looking for something edgy and editorial.

Wig Style Vibes: Abstract shapes, platinum buzz wigs, fantasy colors, futuristic lace fronts.

Ice Spice

Rapper Ice Spice is known for her signature curly ginger afro, but she’s been seen switching it up with long wigs, sleek ponytails, and custom units for fashion week and red carpet events. She’s inspired a whole wave of clients looking for orange or copper wigs with volume and curl.

Wig Style Vibes: Voluminous curls, layered copper wigs, Y2K glam.

Lola Brooke

This Brooklyn rapper has a tough persona but often softens it up with flawless, waist-length lace wigs in straight, body wave, and crimped textures. Her switch between jet black and icy blonde units has influenced many trending styles on TikTok and IG.

Wig Style Vibes: Sleek middle parts, 613 blonde, layered body wave wigs.

Coi Leray

Coi is a style chameleon. While she’s known for her braids and bubble pigtails, in the last couple years, she’s rocked pixie-cut wigs, bold color units, and even shoulder-length wet & wavy styles for editorial shoots and music videos.

Wig Style Vibes: Short bold cuts, wet textures, pastel colors.

JT (from City Girls)

JT’s glam game is unmatched. She consistently wears custom-colored wigs—from blunt platinum bobs to burgundy curls—and always pairs them with perfect edges and bold glam. She’s influenced a wave of salon clients wanting ultra-glam units with volume and shine.

Wig Style Vibes: Bombshell curls, burgundy and black blends, sleek installs with laid edges.

Latto

Latto is another major wig icon in the making. From icy blue to bubblegum pink to Barbie blonde, she switches up her look effortlessly with high-quality lace wigs. Her installs are often paired with bold brows and glam makeup, creating a complete head-turning look.

Wig Style Vibes: Colored straight wigs, bold side parts, high-density units.

Beyoncé and the Rise of Lemonade Braids

In 2016, Beyoncé didn't just drop an album—she dropped a cultural moment. Lemonade, her critically acclaimed visual album, featured powerful imagery, unapologetic storytelling, and a strong representation of Black beauty—including protective styles like Lemonade braids.

These side-swept, neatly parted braids quickly became a signature look. Created in collaboration with celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble, the style pays homage to traditional cornrows with a modern twist. Since then, Lemonade braids have become a staple in Black hair salons around the world—and are frequently requested here at RJ Hair Creations for their bold yet versatile aesthetic.

Mary J. Blige: Blonde Ambition

When you think of Mary J. Blige, you think of soul, strength—and blonde hair. Since the late 1990s, Mary has rocked platinum, honey, ash, and golden tones with effortless confidence. Her impact on blonde hair trends among Black women is undeniable.

She paved the way for artists like Beyoncé, Tyra Banks, Ciara, and Eva Marcille to confidently wear blonde hues in every shade. At RJ, we often help clients recreate Mary's iconic styles, blending expertly colored bundles and wigs that keep the hair healthy while delivering flawless color.

Diana Ross & Tracee Ellis Ross: Hair Royalty

Diana Ross is more than a music icon—she’s a beauty legend. Her voluminous hair was part of her signature style throughout the 1960s and 1970s, often styled in big curls, teased Afros, or sleek waves. By the 1980s, she began embracing her natural texture with long, full curls, becoming a symbol of glamorous natural hair.

Her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, has continued that legacy. Known for her stunning curly mane, Tracee’s hair has become central to her personal brand. She even launched her own hair care line—Pattern Beauty—designed specifically for type 3 and 4 curls. At RJ, many of our clients turn to the Ross family for inspiration when embracing their natural curls or choosing full curly lace wigs.

SZA: Soft, Romantic Curls

SZA’s signature look is her effortlessly fluffy, curly hair—usually styled with bangs or long layers. Whether she’s wearing extensions, clip-ins, or her natural hair, her volume-first aesthetic has helped re-popularize big curls in music and beauty.

Her journey from relaxed hair in high school to fully embracing her natural texture has inspired thousands of women to do the same. Many of our clients bring in SZA-inspired references when seeking romantic curl patterns or looking for tips on achieving similar volume with wand curls or textured wigs.

Zoe Kravitz: Goddess Vibes with Boho Braids

Zoe Kravitz has redefined the bohemian beauty aesthetic. Her take on goddess box braids—also known as boho braids—features soft, free-flowing strands of curly hair that peek through the braids, giving them a wispy, lived-in look.

Unlike traditional box braids, this style is intentionally less structured, blending creativity with elegance. Stars like Jhene Aiko and Eva Marcille have also embraced this style, making it one of the most requested braid styles at RJ. We use a mix of human and synthetic hair to achieve Zoe's textured, lightweight finish—ideal for clients who want longevity and natural movement.

Whoopi Goldberg & the Power of Locs

Whoopi Goldberg has proudly worn locs for over 30 years, becoming one of the earliest mainstream celebrities to represent the style with dignity and grace. Though locs were once stigmatized, they’re now widely embraced as a proud expression of Black identity and heritage.

Celebs like Lauryn Hill, Lisa Bonet, Chloe x Halle, and Kelela have continued this legacy. At RJ Hair Creations, we install everything from starter locs to faux locs, giving clients the choice of commitment-free options or long-term styling that respects the loc journey.

Brandy as Moesha: The Box Braid Blueprint

When Brandy Norwood took on the role of Moesha in the 1990s, she brought box braids into the mainstream. Her waist-length, neatly parted braids became a cultural phenomenon—and inspired an entire generation of young Black girls to embrace the style.

From micro braids to jumbo styles, box braids remain a go-to protective hairstyle today. Films like Poetic Justice (with Janet Jackson) and Sister Act 2 (featuring Lauryn Hill) further propelled the trend. At RJ, we customize box braid styles in every length and color—whether you want shoulder-length elegance or floor-length drama.

Nicki Minaj: Fearless Color and Creativity

Nicki Minaj is synonymous with bold, boundary-pushing hair. From neon pink to icy blue, blunt bobs to Rapunzel-length wigs, Nicki has transformed hair styling into a form of performance art. She switches styles frequently—and smartly—using custom wigs and extensions.

Her fearlessness has inspired many to express themselves without limits. At RJ Hair Creations, we celebrate that freedom by offering custom-colored lace wigs, vibrant bundles, and fantasy color collections for our most daring clients.

Honoring the Trendsetters, Celebrating the Culture

While it’s impossible to name every trendsetter who’s shaped Black hair history, we honor the impact of these icons. From protective styles to bold colors and natural textures, these women have paved the way for self-expression through hair.

At RJ Hair Creations, we’re proud to help our clients channel the looks of their favorite celebrities—while honoring their own individuality.

Ready to Rock Your Celebrity-Inspired Look?

Whether you’re dreaming of Lemonade braids, goddess locs, a platinum blonde wig, or Tracee-style curls, our expert stylists can help you achieve it. Book a consultation or explore our premium hair collections to get started today.

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