GET THE LOOK: Rihanna at the 51st NAACAP Image Awards

For Saturday’s 51st NAACP Image Awards Celebrity Hairstylist Yusef Williams gave Rihanna a structural, sleek ponytail that was anything but boring.

“When I saw her dress, the first thing I noticed was how voluminous it was. I wanted to create something that would perfectly complement the dress, so we decided to do something sleek, a structural ponytail,” says Yusef. “To give the look dimension and make it more graphic, I created a few cornrows that fed into the ponytail. This is a look every girl will want to – and can – recreate tomorrow!”

Yusef breaks down the look below.

I started by washing + prepping her hair with the Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Sulfate-Free Shampooand Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Conditioner. The shampoo is sulfate free, and cleanses while infusing moisture and shine to the hair. The Moisturizing Curl Conditioner deeply hydrates and helps protect against breakage.

Once her hair was cleansed and conditioned, I used the new ghd Helios Hairdryer and my new The Y by Yusef Medium Round Brush to give her a sleek, shiny blowout. The ghd Helios Hairdryer is so lightweight, but powerful and works to give you a smooth, shiny blowout. Paired with my The Y by Yusef brush, which has a thermal barrel that retains maximum heat while drying and strong nylon bristles that easily grasp hair, I created a sleek base for the look. After her hair was fully dried, I used the ghd Platinum+ Styler to eliminate any frizz and get her hair as shiny and smooth as possible.

Next, I sectioned off her hair and braided a few cornrows and secured them. I added in a few extensions for length, then used The Y by Yusef Cushion Paddle Brush, which has a wider surface to detangle and smooth thick hair, to pull her hair in a tight, sleek ponytail and secured with The Y by Yusef hair elastics and bungeesto really keep it in place. They’re specifically designed to keep thick, curly hair in place without pulling on strands. Not a hair will move tonight!

After the ponytail was secured, I pulled out a few pieces and braided them to add a cool layer of dimension. I used the Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Define & Shine Gel Serumto make her hair super sleek and shiny and then locked it all in with the Suave Professionals Firm Control Finishing Hairspray, followed by the Suave Professionals® Refresh & Revive Dry Shampoo to get rid of excess oil and mess it up a little bit so it doesn’t look so pulled together. I finished off the look by using The Y by Yusef Toothbrush to style her baby hairs.

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Tags: Beauty, Hair, NAACP Image Awards, Rihanna, Style, Yusef Williams

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.