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Home • News

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
By Essence · Updated October 28, 2020
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01
Tressed to Impress

Viola Davis has made a short, layered look her trademark style nowadays, but the award-winning actress used to rock her hair past shoulder-length. Which look do you love the most?


See more of Viola’s versatile bob styles here!

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
02
Model Behavior

Selita Ebanks is used to switching up her style as a former model, so it’s no surprise she loves to rock her hair short and long. Her super-sleek style at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Christian Louboutin is as equally gorgeous as her cascading curls.

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
03
Natural Wonder

Solange Knowles has become a modern-day natural hair icon and we love that she adds in lush curly extensions from time to time. Her au naturale strands that she wore to an INC International Concepts event are just as fab as her super-sized curly ’fro.


See Solange’s natural hair evolution here!

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
04
Miss Thang

When Monica first stepped on the scene in the 90’s, she made her short, cropped coif one of the hottest looks of the decade. She’s still rocking short hair, but is also venturing into longer styles like the one she wore during a recent visit to the ESSENCE offices. Which do you like best?

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
05
Mane Moments

Jill Scott has rocked a myriad of heavenly hairstyles over the years and manages to pull off both short and long looks fabulously. At the Mary J. Blige Honors Concert, she sported a short, sleek style and remixed her mane a few months later with a halo of soft curls at Black Girls Rock!

See more of Jill’s hot hairstyles here!

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
06
Ride the Wave

Anika Noni Rose turned heads recently when she debuted a short, flirty bob at the premiere party for A&E’s “Bag Of Bones.” Although we love her new ’do, her long, softly curled strands are simply gorgeous, too.

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
07
Ride the Wave

Anika Noni Rose turned heads recently when she debuted a short, flirty bob at the premiere party for A&E’s “Bag Of Bones.” Although we love her new ’do, her long, softly curled strands are simply gorgeous, too.

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
08
Soulful Tresses

Marsha Ambrosius has predominately worn her natural hair just above shoulder length, but we loved seeing the soulful songstress debut bone-straight long hair at the VH1 Divas Live event. Do you think Marsha looks best in short curly or long straight hair?

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
09
Double Duty

Janet Jackson is known for her brazen style and music, but let’s not forget that Ms. Jackson is also a trendsetter when it comes to hair. (Hello, “Janet Jackson braids” a’ la “Poetic Justice!”) In the past year, we’ve seen Janet in a pretty, sleek coif as well as in long, softly curled strands.

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
10
Change the Game

Kelly Rowland has become our go-to girl for hair inspiration, and we’re loving Kelly’s current curly style like the one she wore to the BET Honors. This is a far cry from her half-shaven short, crop, but let’s keep it real — Kelly would look fab in any ’do!


See more of Kelly’s hot hairstyles here!

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
11
Short Story

Chrisette Michelle shook things up when she traded in her long locks for a short, bright blond style, only to bring her long hair back within a few weeks! Chrisette’s shorter hair emphasizes her facial features more, but we love her free-flowing curls, too.

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long
12
Tress Transformation

Not only did Jennifer Hudson shed 80 pounds in recent years, but she also transformed the way she wears her hair. In the early stages of her career, J-Hud glowed in a short, wispy bob, but now she prefers her hair with lots of length. Do you have a favorite look on Jennifer?

See Jennifer’s hair evolution over the years here!

Hot Hair: Short vs. Long