From Billie Holiday to Rihanna, These Are the Black Ladies Whose Beauty Looks Will Forever Be Iconic

In France during the 1920s, Josephine Baker became an icon of the Jazz Age with her bold makeup, thin brows, and iconic banana skirt. Not to mention she later acted as a French Resistance agent and refused to perform in American segregated theaters.

Not only did she have a phenomenal singing voice and entranced audiences with "Preacher Boy," "Summertime," and more, but Billie Holiday really knew her way around a floral hair accessory.

Dorothy Dandridge was the first African-American actress to be nominated for and Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1954 film Carmen Jones. Her short curls and frequent red lip exemplified 1950s style.

In the '70s, model and singer Grace Jones became synonymous with Studio 54's disco scene and was never afraid of a bold and dramatic beauty look. She experimented with different shaped brows, vivid lip colors, and plenty of blush.

From her time in The Supremes to her "I'm Coming Out" days, Diana Ross served an endless supply of beauty inspiration. Her '60s spikey lashes and voluminous curls have become her signature.

The only thing equally as impressive as Roberta Flack's voice was her beautiful hair and perfectly arched brows.

No one had more fun with '80s trends than Whitney Houston. One look at the singer's curly bangs and colorful eye makeup will make you want to dance with somebody.

The queen of disco was also the queen of big, feathered curls and dark liner.

Lupita Nyong'o loves wearing her hair natural on the red carpet and never misses an opportunity to show off her bright makeup choices.

Alicia Keys has tried more styles than we can count, including braids, curls, and more. Her choice to stop wearing makeup when she didn't feel like it in 2016 inspired many to do the same.

Not only is she gorgeous, but Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, one of the most inclusive makeup lines to date with now 50 shades of foundation.