Hello my sweets! Danielle here giving you the beauty scoop at the 41st NAACP Image Awards. Black America’s finest came out to celebrate, but did they all look the part? We’ll find out…
This one’s image heavy with a lot of looks to cover so we must work quickly, darlings. This is not a drill. Let’s go!
Winner of the Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, actress and comedian Mo’Nique looked gorgeous even in this backstage portrait picture with so-so lighting. An up-do, strapless dress, and a Sam Fine beat face suits the Precious star well. I can’t wait to see her look when she picks up her Oscar. Hot!
Super cute and bubbly Keke Palmer gave “girl next door” with her natural yet radiant makeup look. And just how sweet (and crazy) was her acceptance speech when she won the Image Award for Best Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program? Hot!

I love how all the women who are 40 and up are KILLING the game for the rest of us. And Ms. Toni Braxton is no exception. She looked sexy and flirty even with a shaved hair-do that was popular in 2009. Hot!

I’m always on the fence when it comes to Tatyana Ali. I thought she was one of the prettiest things on TV when I was a pre-teen/teenager watching her on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Nowadays—hmmm…I mean, she’s a pretty girl, but I always feel like something’s missing. Though her skin looks great, the side bun and touch of baby hair is just not rocking my world.
I want Taraji P. Henson to be my BFF because she seems like a ton of fun. I thought she looked pretty here, but felt she could have used some Sam Fine (or Damone Roberts) brows and some better lashes (I’m sure Eyelash Guru to the Stars Jamal Buster has something fierce).

Sherri Shepherd‘s hair (ok…her wig) looked on point Friday night! It gave bounce and curl and waves, darling. Her makeup was ok, but I would recommend a stronger eyeshadow primer to keep her eye makeup more intact.

*Sigh.* This is what it looks like when bad wigs happen to good people. Dammit, Shaun Robinson—you are too pretty for this. Double Hmm…

The NAACP Image Awards recognizes talents of all colors and races and Disney star Selena Gomez was one of them. The soon-to-be 18 year old looked beautiful, of course, but I wish she would have taken more of a chance with her makeup. You’re young, have fun!

Lincoln Heights star Rhyon Brown was spotted in a chartreuse gown with matching eyeshadow. While this is so something someone Rhyon’s age (17) would do, I feel there are far too many color options out there to match your shadow to your dress. I urge Rhyon to grab a color wheel (ok, and some oil blotting papers) and take more chances. Cute girl nonetheless.

I love me some Raven-Symone, but the really soft colors in her dress and the equally soft ones in her makeup are making me want to run by her with a can of brightly-colored paint! She looks washed out which is unfortunate because she has such a bright personality. Hmm…

Paula Patton got it right with the blush! Looking HOT, Miss Rain.

House of Payne star and former Cosby kid Keshia Knight Pulliam kicked up her neutral-toned makeup look with a bright cheek color that looks like my NARS favorite Exhibit A. And her hair was properly laid. Hot!

While I love singer Keri Hilson‘s eye makeup, I am not feeling this raven-hued hairdo. The color over-powers her golden undertones and the curls take over her tiny face. Hmm…

Vampire Diaries star Katerina Graham proves that vampires do truly live forever with this 1940s housewife-approved hairdo. I obviously hate the hair, but the makeup is gorgeous and she gets another pass for her dress (shown below).

Jill Scott belted out a powerful performance during a tribute to Haitian-American Activist and Entertainer Wyclef Jean with this Alicia Keys-esque hairdo and smoky eye. Though those braids look frighteningly tight, Jilly from Philly looks fab.

Red carpet cutie Gabrielle Union paid tribute to Farrah Fawcett (and 2002) with this feathered and flipped ‘do. The color looks great on her chocolately skin, but a third resurgence of this hair get her a Hmm…

Image Award winner for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, Gabourey Sidibe brought tears to my eyes with her heart-warming acceptance speech. Gabby is youthful and bubbly, so I’m not quite sure why they have her in this tossed-aside hair and dull makeup. Being an Academy Award nominee and Image Award Winner should grant her access to the Tina Knowles House of Wigs and a better selection of blush colors, right? Hmm…

Top Model winner and actress Eva Marcille simply has on too much makeup. Someone please grab some makeup wipes and an airbrush gun STAT. Hmm…

Cicely Tyson is a living legend and I refuse to say anything bad about her so I’ll just whistle…

The Princess and the Frog star Anika Noni Rose looked beautiful of course, but her high half-up, half-down Beyonce-approved hair do and makeup screamed pageant moreso than red carpet. Hmm…

Hit FOX show Glee‘s Amber Riley also hit the Image Awards. Her side ponytail filled with bump-a-curls reminded me of the fifth grade as well as her paint-by-number eyeshadow/outfit matching look. Hmm…

And last we have actress Tracy Higgins and—is this a smoothed-out version of finger waves? Or who had a short-do in the 90s and remembers when their hairstylist wrapped your hair like this and stuck you under the dryer? But then the hair was combed out and styled after that, not left that way. Hmm…
Did you watch the Image Awards? What were some of your favorite highlights and what did you think of the red carpet beauty?
~Danielle
















































