Anytime there’s a red carpet event, Black celebrities come out and show the world how we show out. With no strand out of place, or eyelash missing, Black actresses, singers, producers, influencers and more consistently steal the spotlight.
In 2019 they hit the red carpet with creative takes on traditional braids, unique geometric eye makeup, bold colors that stand out most on melanin-rich skin, and a slew of other special event beauty looks that inspired people of all backgrounds to take their looks to the next level.
Whether it was a red carpet, pink carpet, or even blue, these ladies shut it down with their undeniable beauty in 2019. And as we enter into a brand new decade, we expect another 10 years of jaw-dropping hair and makeup moments from them.
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There were so many more ladies who wowed us this year in beauty but we couldn’t name them all. Who were some your favorite red carpet slay belles of 2019?
01
Slay Belles 2019: Zendaya
Zendaya is a slayer in every way and she slaughtered the red carpet when it came to best in hair and makeup throughout the year.
02
Slay Belles: Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett is the baddest and she continues to bring it to the red carpet, lest we ever attempt to forget.
03
Slay Belles: Winnie Harlow
On the red carpet and on her social media, Winnie Harlow heats up our feed and our lives with her stunning beauty looks.
04
Slay Belles: KiKi Layne
KiKi Layne dropped onto the scene like a teenage dream who’s kept our gaze since. Her red carpet beauty is always creative and inspiring.
05
Slay Belles: Kelly Rowland
It doesn’t get any better than waiting to see what Kelly Rowland will bring to an event. Whether it’s a classic bob, a creative pony, or a simple fresh face, we know that it will be fabulous.
06
Slay Belles: Gabrielle Union
If Gab’s looks are too Black for other audiences, then we’re here for all of it. She wowed time and time again on the red carpet in 2019 and we know 2020 only promises more.
07
Slay Belles: Justine Skye
The ESSENCE digital cover star gave us noteworthy hair and makeup from the top of the year all the way through the final days.
08
Slay Belles: Cynthia Erivo
Erivo has been a go-to for big chop energy, dramatic eye energy, and for the best use of bold and bright colors.
09
Slay Belles: Keke Palmer
We were excited when Keke Palmer was named the official third host of GMA3: Strahan and Sara because it meant more glimpses of her dope hair and makeup.
10
Slay Belles: Marsai Martin
This was the year that Marsai Martin went from being little Diane to a beauty influencer and powerhouse with her lovable and creative looks.
11
Slay Belles: Rapsody
Rapsody had red carpet moments this year that completely shut it down on the hair and makeup front. We know in 2020 it’s only going to get better.
12
Slay Belles: Rihanna
Between her Fenty Beauty events, Savage X Fenty fashion shows, and the Diamond Ball, we can expect to see Rihanna hit the red carpets consistently every year. And every year we Stan for her flawless presentation.
13
Slay Belles: Tierra Whack
To understand what it is to be whack is to understand how rapper Tierra Whack never misses a beat with her eclectic makeup and trendsetting hairstyles.
14
Slay Belles: Saweetie
Saweetie’s iced-out red carpet beauty, equipped with laid edges and immaculate makeup is exactly our type of red carpet beauty.
15
Slay Belles: Lizzo
It’s been a tremendous year in beauty for singer Lizzo. So it makes sense that she was a red carpet fixture in 2019 and never ceased to make us feel good as hell with her colorful eye makeup and glossy lips.
16
Slay Belles: Jodie Turner-Smith
Jodie Turner-Smith hit the red carpet this year as if the theme were wearable art every time. She looked like a walking melanin-rich Mona Lisa, and we wanted to behold what was behind her smile.
17
Slay Belles: Storm Reid
She might still have a bit of a baby face, but this year Storm Reid proved that she’s not a little girl. Her red carpet beauty is evidence that she’s becoming the beauty crush to look out for in 2020.
18
Slay Belles: Ciara
We saw Cici coming from miles away with many of her dramatic and over-the-top hair and makeup this year. And we loved it. It makes us want to level up our looks for 2020.
19
Slay Belles: Janelle Monáe
You can’t talk about the best in red carpet beauty for the past decade without mentioning Janelle Monáe, the winner of red carpet creativity. Her face is always flawless and her hair is always both inspirational, and aspirational.
20
Slay Belles: Beyoncé
When Beyoncé wants to lay low, you could go an entire year without seeing an appearance from her. But with so many big projects in 2019 she couldn’t avoid the red carpet, and she stunned with hair that we wanted to mimic, and makeup looks that we double-tapped consistently.
