Tems has become a bona fide beauty reference, not just a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. Since her early 2019 debut and through her rise to global stardom, having Tems makeup looks rooted in subtle glam with strong, feature-focused definition. She embraces popular trends like soft-glow and clean-girl makeup, but always adds her own Afrocentric twist — amplifying her eyes, lips, and hair with intention and personality. This blend of trend-savvy style and individuality sets her apart in the beauty world.
Tems Makeup Looks: A Breakdown of Her Signature Rebel-Glam
Braided Glam (Jayda Wayda Style, Goddess Braids & Cornrow Finishes)
Braids sit at the foundation of Tems’ beauty identity, and she constantly reinvents them. In her earlier years, we saw her lean toward chunky braids then Jayda Wayda style cornrows — braided halfway and finished with voluminous curly or wavy extensions — which she still revisits till today. She alternates this with goddess braids, keeping the finish soft and feminine. At times, she elevates her cornrows using culturally rich details, like the cornrow-to-bantu-knot finish created by Evy Dosler for one of her Billboard shoots. It’s these little touches of intentionality that make her braided looks more than “just braids.”
Want more? See our Cornrow Styles guide for extra inspiration.
Signature Eyes & Lip Combo – Cat Eye, 90s Brows + Defined Ombre Lips
The heart of Tems makeup looks is always the face glam:
- Cat-eye liner that follows her natural eye shape and extends slightly upward (often compared to Nala from The Lion King)
- Thin, high-arched 90s brow that instantly lifts the eyes
- Bold brown lip combo — deeply lined, layered with nude or cherry gloss for an ombré effect
- Winky, fluffy lashes or subtle lower-lash extensions to emphasise her eyes
- Subtle base + soft highlight, applied to complement her facial structure (never overly covered)
Most of these looks are created by her go-to makeup artist Kayla Perez, who has mastered the balance between subtle and striking.
Gel Ponytails & Loose Wave / Pigtail Bundles
Another key part of her hair signature is the gelled-up ponytail — typically with no parting, just a clean slick base and soft baby hairs. From there, she alternates the finish depending on the mood. Sometimes it’s loose-wave bundles that fall softly down her back, other times it’s a structured bun, like the one she wore to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
More recently, she introduced a variation featuring braided pigtail ends combined with a layered double swoop at the front (one longer and one shorter). This standout look for MET 2025 was created by VIP Hair Ashanti, who styles many of her red carpet and performance hairstyles.
Fringe / Bang Moments (Wigs & Sew-ins)
In addition to her ponytails, Tems also leans into bang and fringe looks, usually achieved with wigs or sew-in extensions. Rather than going for heavy bangs, she prefers wispy, face-framing fringes that lift and soften her features. Whether it’s a soft side-bang or a straight, slightly feathered fringe, the result is always the same: a modern, 90s-inspired frame that pairs perfectly with her cat-eye and bold lips.
Subtle Colour Highlights
Although she rarely experiments with bold, full-colour hair, Tems subtly incorporates warm tones into her styles. Many of her braids, wigs and bundles feature soft gold or light brown highlights, which add dimension and depth without overpowering her natural features or the glam itself.
Takeaway from Tems Beauty Looks
Tems blends clean, soft glam with Afrocentric roots, rotating between braids, gelled ponytails and bang moments while keeping her eyes, brows and lips as the focal point. To recreate her signature Rebel-Glam, focus on:
- Thin 90s brow
- Cat-eye liner
- Defined brown lip combo
- Gelled ponytail or textured braid (with subtle highlights or accessories)
It’s intentional, detailed and absolutely unforgettable — just like Tems herself.
