IMAN

Keri Hilson has set herself apart from the pack of other R&B singers with her ever-changing hairstyles and sexy, retro/glam fashion sense (that girl’s got legs and she knows how to use ‘em…damn, I am so jealous, haha!). So, I wanted to know how this pretty young thing gets her look together for the Grammys. One thing Ms. Keri knows is that great hairstyles are powerful envelope pushers, so I reached out to her hairstylist, Maisha Oliver, first.

IMAN: Do clothes determine the hair, or vice versa?
MAISHA OLIVER: Clothes always determine what the overall look is going to be. Hair and make-up have to compliment the clothes. If the look is futuristic then you have to be able to carry out a futuristic look.

IMAN: What’s was your inspiration for Keri’s Grammy’s hairstyle?
MAISHA OLIVER: I wanted to create a style that was elegant but still had that Keri flare. I also wanted to make sure that she was recognizable on the red carpet. Plus, she’s wearing her hair short these days, so I wanted to add some glamour to her cut.

Keri Hilson with Maisha Oliver

Next, I caught up with her makeup artist, Ashunta Sheriff.  She told me that, for her, the Grammys represent the creme de la creme of musicians, so being quirky, funky, edgy, or just straight glam are all acceptable. CONTINUED AT ESSENCE.COM

What do red carpet veterans Salma Hayek, Debra Messing, Marion Cotillard, Renee Zellweger, Katy Perry and yours truly have in common? We are all lovers of MoroccanOil!  I discovered it while hosting Project Runway Canada for 2 seasons–my hair dresser in Toronto, the fabulous Janet Jackson (not THE JJ) introduced me to the benefits of this extraordinary line that works brilliantly on both straight and curly hair. MoroccanOil Intense Curl Cream leaves hair bouncy, shiny and frizz free (which I really needed, because all of my ever-changing hairstyles on Project Runway left my strands frazzled and damaged).

If you didn’t know, let me confide in you that I love wearing wigs. Five years ago, I decided I’d had enough of hair extensions, and wanted to start taking care of my “real” hair.  I know that many of us who’ve been wearing extensions for a long time can start to think that it is our hair… but, girl, let’s face it is not! I should know–I almost feel that I was part of the “invention” of hair extensions.  Let me clarify it … some twenty years ago I was traveling to Paris for the couture shows, and my hair stylist Ellin Lavar decided to experiment this fascinating technique on my hair.  Voila: in a mere ten hours I was transformed. CONTINUED AT ESSENCE.COM

Darlings, I learned years ago not to make resolutions because I somehow end up breaking them and feeling very frustrated. Like when I wanted to stop smoking cigs! Yes, I used to light it up (and baby, I looked fab holding it, too…in a movie-stars-from-a-bygone-era kind of way). Mid-March some fourteen years ago, I decided to stop smoking, and it happened! Life is about taking steps forward and steps backwards, so I make resolutions all year long–not just on January 1st.

To me, a “fresh start” is all about turning your attention to your own health and happiness. I start my fresh start right during the Christmas holiday, since I’m usually being pampered in some fab getaway, with no mommy duties (like homework, after school activities, play dates etc…), or homemaker duties. I know you’re thinking “homemaker duties? Are we talking about Iman?” CONTINUED AT ESSENCE.COM