Taraji P. Henson was back in action for her third year of hosting the BET Awards, and with that came a plethora of glam changes. Henson and her team, including hairstylist Tym Wallace, makeup artist Saisha Beecham, and manicurist Temeka Jackson, were busy backstage changing up the actor's looks again and again throughout the night, swapping wigs and lipstick shades alongside many outfit changes.
Henson aced her hosting duties yet again, opening the show with a parody of Kendrick Lamar's “Not Like Us" (more on that below), speaking out against Donald Trump, and playing the banjo, among many other memorable moments. The actor also took a moment to tell viewers to “show up and show out” with their ballots in November. “It's not just about the presidential election. It's time for us to play chess, not checkers," she said in her impassioned speech. “It's about making decisions that will affect us as human beings: our careers, our next generations to come … They are attacking our most vulnerable citizens.” Henson also mentioned the Project 2025 plan, a proposed conservative policy that could have major impacts on the government as we know it should Donald Trump win the 2024 presidential election. “I'm not trying to scare us, I'm trying to inform us,” she said. "We've got three Supreme Court seats up. We need those seats or we have no protection."
Ahead, check out some of Henson's best host looks from the 2024 BET Awards.
On the red carpet, Henson dazzled in head-to-toe gold, wearing an angled bob wig with blonde highlights, gold eye shadow, and a glimmering golden manicure. Makeup artist Saisha Beecham applied a combo Kiss New York's Pearl Blush Wand in Bold Begonia and Pearl Highlight Wand in Merry Marigold on the high points of the actor's cheeks.
Henson gave a sweet nod to Aaliyah with a side-parted style with full bags. “Since we’re celebrating Black music, I had to pay homage to the ’90s and ‘our baby girl’ Aaliyah by giving Taraji a ‘90s fringe style with a deep side part in a soft coppery brown hue,” Wallace shared.
Throughout the night, Wallace depended on Professional Hair Labs Ghostbond Glow Up Revolutionary Wig Glue for Henson’s many hair changes. “For an install that is flawless on HD TV, I used Ghostbond Glow Up to ensure security and a matte finish around the hairline," he explained. "You’d typically apply using a very thin layer and let 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 one layer of Ghostbond Glow Up was perfect.” Wallace also depended on the Shark FlexStyle Sparkle Air Styling & Drying hair dryer system for the many quick styling changes.
Henson and Wallace also shouted out Diana Ross with this twist on the Supremes-era bob. “I prepped the wig by refreshing and detangling with TPH by Taraji’s Soak it Off, then reset with Keep It Fresh,” Wallace shared. “Wavy hair is the perfect texture for the flips because you want the hair to have bounce and movement.” The gold nails were replaced by white stiletto tips.
Later, Henson looked like a '70s-era Ross in full, fluffed-out curls with a glam red lip and metallic silver nails.
The curls popped up again onstage paired with a banjo and shimmery, glowy golden makeup.
We loved the combo of this wavy black lob with bangs and a strapless lime green dress.
We can't forget to mention Henson's Kendrick Lamar moment, either. She pulled on a hat and a hoodie to parody the rapper's “Not Like Us.”
More celeb beauty inspo:
- I Could Watch Cardi B Peel Off Her Porcelain-Skin Makeup For Hours
- Here's How Lupita Nyong'o Got Her Y2K Body Shimmer at the Oscars
- Taraji P. Henson's Green Watercolor Eye Shadow is Pure Spring Energy
Now, watch Shakira revisit her best music video beauty:
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