Embrace the Renaissance with 17 of Beyoncé's Best Beauty Looks

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Updated on Jun 19, 2022

Bey, Sasha Fierce, Yoncé, Mrs. Carter—Beyoncé is a woman of many monikers and even more faces (all of which happen to be gorgeous). When she lifts a finger, it's like the world stops. She's a queen, if we've ever seen one, who is the epitome of beauty. I was lucky enough to witness her royalty in person during her and Jay-Z's OTR II Tour in New York. Let's just say I'm a changed woman after that epic show.

Recently, Beyoncé announced her long-awaited solo comeback, and we couldn't be more excited. Until Act I: Renaissance drops later this summer, you can find us purchasing the mystery merch sets and getting ready to take plenty of beauty and style inspiration from Queen B's imminent new era.

To celebrate, we gathered 17 of her most showstopping looks. Ready to bow down? Scroll through to see Beyoncé’s best beauty moments.

High Pony Braid

Beyonce wears a long blonde braid in a high ponytail — Getty Images

Any time Queen Bey is out and about, she shows up and shows out with incredible beauty moments. From Tidal events to her OTR II tour with Jay-Z, her epic, butt-length braid inevitably breaks the internet every time. Her hairstylist, Neal Farinah, posted a series of Instagram photos of her extra-long braid. He clearly has some serious skills. He captioned one of his posts: "THE BRAID THAT HAS ITS OWN HAIR-OGRAPHY." True. We're so here for this diva moment.

Center-Parted Pony

Beyonce wears a low, straightened ponytail with a center part and red lipstick — Getty Images

Center part. Sleek pony. Red lips. Perfect skin. Plenty of lash. The result? #Flawless Bey at the 2013 Grammy Awards. For a similar look, create a center part and slick hair back into a low pony. Use hairspray to avoid any flyaways.

Voluminous Curls

BeyoncÃ© wears long, curled blonde hair, red lipstick, and emerald jewelry and gown — @beyonce

The Beyoncé who embraces voluminous curls, as seen here at an event for The Harder They Fall (which Jay-Z produced) in 2021, just might be our favorite Beyoncé. This hairstyle is best achieved with a good curling iron and dry texture spray, such as It's a 10's Miracle Blow Dry Texture Spray ($25).

Voluminous Length

Beyonce wears long, tousled waves and a silver and black structural gown — @beyonce

Beyoncé has rocked everything from a lob to an updo, but we'll always be fans of her extra-long looks. Her tousled blonde waves and soft, shimmering makeup even managed to shift the focus from her sparkling, structural gown by Albanian brand Kujta & Meri. To try this at home, spritz a product like Sexy Hair's Texture Beach'n Spray Texturizing Beach Spray ($19) throughout the hair, then use a comb to add more volume and texture.

Swept-Back Curls

Beyonce wears a half-up, curled blonde hairstyle, large earrings, and neutral makeup — Getty Images

Fresh-faced with an abundance of cascading curls, Queen Bey looked radiant in this smooth half-up moment. To get the look, try using a healthy amount of SachaJuan’s Leave-In Conditioner ($36) on wet hair, then air-drying and curling in tight coils. Brush out to go a bit looser.

Center-Parted Waves

BeyoncÃ© wears center-parted curled blonde hair on stage at the Super Bowl in 2013 — Getty Images

In 2013, Sasha Fierce hit the stage at the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show with performance-ready tresses (read: very flippable hair), a bronze smoky eye, and a metallic manicure to match.

Wet-Look Waves

Beyonce wears a center-parted wavy hairstyle with skinny sunglasses and red lip — @beyonce

If anyone can pull off statement eyes and lips at the same time, it’s Beyoncé. Proof? Check out this look—deep red lips and skinny white sunglasses—which made a fun statement in 2021. For a similar wet-hair look, work a dollop-sized amount of Oribe Gel Sérum ($63) into damp hair and scrunch for texture.

Center Part with Loose Volume

Beyonce wears voluminous loose waves, a smoky eye, and black statement earrings — Getty Images

It was all about the eyes at the 2013 Met Gala. Just add glowing skin, brushed-up brows, and a pale pink pout, and you’ve got a Queen Bey–approved beauty look. The center part keeps the loose, voluminous style from veering too casual.

High Pony

"I love Beyoncé in absolutely any and every look, but her iconic high pony is one of my favorites," says hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein, an R+Co Collective member. And hey—if you’re going to perform danceable hits like “Single Ladies,” you need a ponytail to whip around, like Bey’s high, bouncy, and voluminous version.

Twisted Low Pony

Beyonce wears a glowing makeup look, gold earrings, and a low twisted ponytail — @beyonce

Queen Bey looks even more radiant than usual in this casual look thanks to rosy cheeks, glossy peach lips, and a gorgeous glow. For a similar look, part your hair in the center and twist into a low ponytail style, then use a wide-barrel curling iron to enhance waves on your bangs or front pieces.

Center-Parted Wavy Updo

Beyonce wears oversized sunglasses, hoop earrings, and a wavy low bun — @beyonce

We’re crazy in love with Bey’s center part and smoothed-back curls—it's a look that manages to be both casual and put-together at once. This look benefits from a spritz of shine spray, like Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine ($31).

Straight and Half-Up

Beyonce wears a sleek half-up hairstyle and dark lipstick — @beyonce

Let this moody dark lip serve as inspiration to switch up your lipstick color palette. Hair-wise, we love this half-up style. For similar volume, use a teasing brush to backcomb the roots for volume and brush those sides back nice and tight. Apply a spritz of hairspray directly onto a hair brush before smoothing the sides.

Waves with a Statement Hat

Beyonce wears wavy hair, blue lipstick, sunglasses, and a tall cone-shaped hat — @beyonce

Defined waves paired with a couture hat create such a powerful look. If you're wearing a dramatic hat, nearly any style works—just ensure the hair works with your statement headpiece and invest in clips or bobby pins to secure your accessory to your head.

Half-Up and Crimped

Beyonce wears a half-up crimped hairstyle and gold statement earrings — @beyonce

Who says crimped hair is a thing of the past? Not Beyoncé. This textured high ponytail has all the sultry feels. As Rubenstein notes, sometimes the music icon's updo "is curly and voluminous, sometimes it's tame and straight. Either way, parted or straight back, to get the hair smooth and sleek around the face, you need a great pomade." We like the Biolage Styling Gelée ($6).

Slicked Up and Loosely Crimped

Beyonce wears a crimped wavy ponytail with sleek roots — @beyonce

Queen Bey is channeling her innate glowing goddess energy in this stunning, neutral makeup look. These champagne-gold shades look breathtaking on her skin tone. "My go to for this is R+Co Bleu Elastic Styling Pomade ($52)," Rubenstein says. "Brush the hair, warm the pomade between hands, and smooth back your ponytail. If you need extra smoothing, go over the hair with a soft, natural bustle brush."

Super Long Pony

Beyonce wears an extra long, wavy low ponytail and dark v-neck dress — @beyonce

In typical Beyoncé fashion, go big or go home. If you're going to wear a ponytail, it might as well be extra long and swing past your waistline. For a similar style, go for extensions for the most drama.

Retro Waves

Beyonce wears a classic curled hairstyle with cat-eye sunglasses and crystal jewelry — @beyonce

Beyoncé's highlighter is practically blinding in this rare selfie moment. It's hard to choose what we love most about this glam—it's a toss-up between the winged eyeliner and the ultra-glossy lip. Of course, the real star of the show is the retro 'do. For a similar look, use The Doux's Mousse Def Texture Foam ($15) and sculpt loose waves, finishing with a blast of heat.

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