Skip to Content

A Complete Breakdown of Beyoncé's Hair Looks From Lemonade

Queen Bey's hair guru, Kim Kimble, weighs in.

By Patrice Grell Yursik
Human, Lip, Colorfulness, Collage, Temple, Circle, Bangs, Photomontage, pinterest
HBO

Beyoncé's Lemonade gave us layers upon layers to unpack and admire. The piercing power of Warsan Shire's poetry, the celebrity cameos, the sumptuous set design, and yes, the hair. From "Pray You Catch Me" to "All Night," Bey's hair changes from video to video—sometimes as many as three different looks during one song. We spoke to Beyoncé's longtime hair guru, Pantene celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble, to learn more. "We designed the hair not just for her, but for the entire project. We started collaborating some time ago—we created boards. She sent some looks, we sent some looks," Kimble says. "Each song had its own inspiration."

<p>      The underwater shots are all about hair and light. Bey sheds her black hoodie to reveal soft, voluminous hair. "In that time, my hair I grew past my ankles," she says. Kim Kimble says this shot illustrates what they were going for throughout the shoot – highly textured hair. "It looked like a cloud underwater. Of course we didn't use a lot of product for those scenes." </p>

The underwater shots in "Pray You Catch Me" are all about hair and light. Bey sheds her black hoodie to reveal soft, voluminous hair. "In that time, my hair I grew past my ankles," she says. Kim Kimble says this shot illustrates what they were going for throughout the shoot—highly textured hair. "It looked like a cloud underwater. Of course we didn't use a lot of product for those scenes."

<p>For "Hold Up," Beyoncé's hair is a center-parted curtain of long, loose bronde curls that fall to her hips. It's a familiar Beyoncé look, reminiscent even of her Destiny's Child days, but the texture looks more natural. "We want to inspire women with natural hair to love it and take care of it and style it," Kimble explains. "I think it's great to see Beyoncé wear texture."  </p>

For "Hold Up," Beyoncé's hair is a center-parted curtain of long, loose bronde curls that fall to her hips. It's a familiar Beyoncé look, reminiscent even of her Destiny's Child days, but the texture appears more natural. "We want to inspire women with natural hair to love it and take care of it and style it," Kimble explains. "I think it's great to see Beyoncé wear texture."

<p>Lemonade opens with "Don't Hurt Yourself." Beyoncé leans against a car, her hair styled in tight cornrows. The style went with the mood of the song. "Cornrows can be tough; baby hair softens it up a lot," Kim explains. "I like finished edges. Cornrows, braids and we love baby hair."</p>

In "Don't Hurt Yourself," Beyoncé leans against a car, her hair styled in tight cornrows. The style went with the mood of the song. "Cornrows can be tough; baby hair softens it up a lot," Kim explains. "I like finished edges. Cornrows, braids, and we love baby hair."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
<p>"Sorry" features three unique hairstyles and Lemonade's most talked-about lyrics: "Becky with the good hair." First up: these glorious Beyoncé braids. "Some of the most time-consuming styles are the braid hairstyles," Kimble says. </p>

"Sorry" features three unique hairstyles and Lemonade's most talked-about lyrics: "Becky with the good hair." First up: these glorious Beyoncé braids. "Some of the most time-consuming styles are the braid hairstyles," Kimble says.

Look #2 from "Sorry" features loose soft waves that end in two long braids that cascade over her shoulders. "My team is very careful. If we have three or four looks, we find easy ways to transition between styles. We didn't use a lot of heat. We did a lot of braids and when we braid, we make sure we don't pull too tight. When you're very cautious to begin with, there's no damage done," Kimble explains.
YouTube

Look #2 from "Sorry" features loose, soft waves that end in two long braids that cascade over her shoulders. "My team is very careful. If we have three or four looks, we find easy ways to transition between styles. We didn't use a lot of heat. We did a lot of braids and when we braid, we make sure we don't pull too tight. When you're very cautious to begin with, there's no damage done," Kimble explains.

<p>Look #3 from "Sorry" is a true homage to African culture. We see nod to the traditional styles of the Congo's Mangbetu women. "That was our Nefertiti crown, all done with braids," says Kim Kimble. "I would say it took at least three to four hours."  </p>

Look #3 from "Sorry" is a true homage to African culture. We see nods to the traditional styles of the Congo's Mangbetu women. "That was our Nefertiti crown, all done with braids," says Kimble. "I would say it took at least three to four hours."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
<p>At the beginning of "Emptiness," Beyoncé's hair is long, full, blonde, and textured. She is wearing an elaborate spiked headpiece, like a crown that partially covers her ears and face. The style is ferocious but contained.  </p>

At the beginning of "Emptiness," Beyoncé's hair is long, full, blond, and textured. She is wearing an elaborate spiked headpiece, like a crown that partially covers her ears and face. The style is ferocious but contained.

<p>"Six Inch" packs four distinct hair looks–the statement hat over a side braid, long, loose sexy center-parted curls while Bey dances or swings that red light bulb overhead, and then there's this lovely, braided, almost bridal up-do; intentionally soft and romantic as juxtaposed with white lace lingerie and a bedroom on fire in the background.  </p>

"Six Inch" packs a few distinct hair looks–the statement hat over a side braid; long, loose sexy center-parted curls while Bey dances or swings that red light bulb overhead; and this lovely, braided, almost bridal updo; intentionally soft and romantic as juxtaposed with white lace lingerie and a bedroom on fire in the background.

<p>The final exterior shot for "Six Inch" reveals Beyoncé in a floral Gucci suit, her braided up-do now transformed into a center-parted blunt bob with soft edges as she stands serenely in front of a house that's burning down.  </p>

The final exterior shot for "Six Inch" reveals Beyoncé in a floral Gucci suit, her braided updo now transformed into a center-parted blunt bob with soft edges as she stands serenely in front of a house that's burning down.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
<p>Much of Lemonade's aesthetic positions the Victorian antebellum era through a modern Afrocentric lens, and Beyoncé's look in the video for "Daddy Lessons" makes the statement through and through. "That's the most retro look we did, its natural hair put into a Victorian hairstyle. It's easy to do when you have a lot of texture," says Kim. </p>

Much of Lemonade's aesthetic positions the Victorian antebellum era through a modern, Afrocentric lens, and Beyoncé's look in the video for "Daddy Lessons" makes the statement through and through. "That's the most retro look we did; it's natural hair put into a Victorian hairstyle. It's easy to do when you have a lot of texture," says Kim.

<p>Beyoncé has been reminding us all that she's from Texas throughout her career, and "Daddy Lessons" is a culmination of those reminders. In this video, she's singing a country song and then she's seen riding a horse while rocking some phenomenal, chunky, long braids that swing as she leans under tree branches. </p>

Beyoncé has been reminding us all that she's from Texas throughout her career, and "Daddy Lessons" is a culmination of those reminders. In this video, she's singing a country song and then she's seen riding a horse while rocking some phenomenal, chunky, long braids that swing as she leans under tree branches.

<p>"Reformation" begins with Beyoncé lying alone on a lush, green football field, her hair is soft, curly and blonde with darker roots. "For a long time we've done glamorous hair and straight styles. Here I think it's really about showing that texture and natural hair is still fashionable, still glamorous."  </p>

"Reformation" begins with Beyoncé lying alone on a lush, green football field; her hair is soft, curly and blond with darker roots. "For a long time we've done glamorous hair and straight styles. Here I think it's really about showing that texture and natural hair is still fashionable, still glamorous."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
<p>Midway through "Love Drought" we get this visually arresting moment–a close-up of Beyoncé's face rotated on screen, 360 degrees. She is rocking hair that's parted into puffy segments, a style many African Americans might have rocked as children, but with a grown up, glamorous, highly textured twist. Here, her hair looks straighter in this puffy style.  </p>

Midway through "Love Drought" we get this visually arresting moment–a close-up of Beyoncé's face rotated on screen 360 degrees. She is rocking hair that's parted into puffy segments, a style many African Americans might have rocked as children, but with a grown-up, glamorous, highly textured twist. Here, her hair looks straighter in this puffy style.

<p>"Sandcastles" is a rare, raw ballad on this album, and for this hair look Beyoncé is all soft curls and headphones. Here her hair is darker than in other scenes, deepening into brown that looks truly natural, healthy and lustrous.</p>

"Sandcastles" is a rare, raw ballad on this album, and for this hair look Beyoncé is all soft curls and headphones. Here her hair is darker than in other scenes, deepening into brown that looks truly natural, healthy, and lustrous.

<p>
When Beyoncé sings the riveting "Freedom" before an audience that includes the mothers of Mike Brown and Trayvon Martin, her hair is long, loose and light. Kimble emphasizes the need for hydration when dealing with colored hair. "I'm a big fan of steam conditioning; I have several steamers in my salon. Or you can use a steam cap, as opposed to a hair steamer. Or you can do this at home–warm a towel, put a plastic cap on your head and wrap the towel on your head to trap the heat."</p>

When Beyoncé sings the riveting "Freedom" before an audience that includes the mothers of Mike Brown and Trayvon Martin, her hair is long, loose, and light. Kimble emphasizes the need for hydration when dealing with color-treated hair. "I'm a big fan of steam conditioning; I have several steamers in my salon. Or you can use a steam cap, as opposed to a hair steamer. Or you can do this at home–warm a towel, put a plastic cap on your head and wrap the towel on your head to trap the heat."

Watch Next
 
preview for Elle Beauty
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Hairstyles & Haircuts 2024

function of beauty pro haircare review

We Tested Function of Beauty Pro’s Custom Haircare

tips for making your hair grow faster

How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster

best hair dryers for frizzy hair

The 10 Best Hair Dryers for Frizzy Hair

luisa spagnoli backstage milan fashion week womenswear springsummer 2024

Revlon's Viral Hot Air Brush Is 50% off on Amazon

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
tiktok
youtube
facebook
instagram
pinterest
Hearst Fashion and Luxury Collection - A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2024 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map