Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style At Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Coco Gauff's New Balances
    • Dyson
    • Postpartum Texts
    • Ayan Broomfield
    • Everyday Handbags
    1. Beauty
    2. Hair

    Jennifer Hudson’s Afro Is Giving Big HBIC Energy

    Mine would, too, if I were an EGOT winner with a successful talk show.

    Ariel Wilson's avatar
    By Ariel Wilson
    Published 7 October 2025 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Jennifer Hudson wearing a bob haircut a white striped blazer
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Jennifer Hudson is reflecting and looking damn good while doing so. On October 7, the EGOT-winning singer appeared on CBS Mornings, where she reflected on the success of her eponymous talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show. For the event, Hudson wore an electric blue dress, paired with a white jacket, scarf, and shoes. However, it was her hair that truly completed the look, and suddenly, I want all the volumizing hairsprays I can get my hands on.

    Hudson’s afro was left loose and free, framing her face beautifully. The already full hairstyle was made even more dramatic with an asymmetrical side part. Whether it’s her natural curl pattern or a braid-out, her coils were on full display, which only amplified the diva energy radiating from her. In addition to her hairstyle, Hudson’s nails were equally stunning. A blend of fall-toned hues with gilded details sat atop luxurious, long stiletto-shaped nails. Overall, she looks amazing, and I plan to add this entire look to my Pinterest board very soon.

    Jennifer Hudson wearing an afro hairstyle, a blue dress, and a white leather jacket

    Jennifer Hudson is seen on October 07, 2025 in New York City.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    An afro is the perfect high-impact hairstyle that suits almost any look and occasion. Naomi Campbell wore her version of the style on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, pairing it with stunning jewels and an even more marvelous gown. Doechii wore hers to the 2025 Met Gala, and just a few days ago, Tracee Ellis Ross sported a curled version at the Balenciaga show during Paris Fashion Week.

    Even though I don’t wear my own afro out a ton, given that I’ve had one for all of my life, I’m pretty well-versed on how to care for it. Keep reading for tips on how to achieve a style similar to Hudson’s.

    Kinky Curly Crochet Hair 8 Inch Short Marlybob Jerry Curl Natural Black Color Afro Twist Soft Synthetic Braiding Extention for Women(1b)

    Sharoul
    Kinky Curly Crochet Hair
    $10
    SHOP NOW

    If you don't want your own coily strands showing, try a crochet hairstyle to achieve a look similar to Hudson's.

    All Soft Moisture Restore Leave-In Treatment With Hyaluronic Acid

    Redken
    All Soft Moisture Restore Leave-In Treatment
    $32
    SHOP NOW

    Whether you prefer a braid-out or just want your natural coils to thrive, a leave-in conditioner is essential for an afro hairstyle.

    48 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Short Cold Wave Rods Plastic Perming Irons Hair Curling Rollers Curlers With Steel Pintail Comb Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling Supplies(0.2 Inch,red)

    Willbond
    48 Pieces Hair Perm Rods
    $8
    SHOP NOW

    If you have heat damage that prevents parts of your afro from curling properly, try perm rods to give the style a cohesive look.

    Interchangeable Curling Iron

    Pattern Beauty
    Interchangeable Curling Iron
    $361
    SHOP NOW

    If you prefer a quick curl, use a thin curling iron like this one.

    Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist Coconut Colada Scent

    Drybar
    Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist
    $31
    SHOP NOW

    Prior to using any heat tools, make sure you've applied a heat protectant.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Ariel Wilson
    Ariel Wilson
    Social Links Navigation
    Beauty Writer

    Ariel Wilson is the Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. Previously the associate beauty editor at PS, she also has bylines in InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women's Health, and more.

    Shaped by her experience in research, social sciences, and the non-profit sector, Ariel enjoys looking at beauty from a sociocultural lens, looking to avenues like politics, culture, and the arts, to inform her views on the space. That being said, as a true beauty-product obsessive, testing the latest items to hit the market, keeping up with trends, and meeting industry icons, will always be her favorite part of working in the beauty space.

    When she's not working, Ariel can be found hanging out with her husband and loving on their two cat daughters: Cow and Chicken.

    Read more
    A woman with curly hair in the middle of a collage that features pictures of various women getting ready.
    Hair Tracee Ellis Ross’s ‘70s “Porn Hair” Is Made Possible by This Very Specific Hot Tool Nothing is off the table.
    By Ariel Wilson
    hair color
    Hair The Top Hair Colors For Fall 2026 Are Lazy In The Best Way Possible Low-maintenance and high-shine? Sign me up.
    By Annie Blay-Tetty
     
     
    two beautiful women with short pixie cuts and glowing skin on a baby blue background
    Hair How to Not F*ck Up Your New Pixie Cut Hairstylists reveal their best short hair tips.
    By Danielle Jackson
    a fall-toned background with an image of the same girl before and after an espresso brunette hair transformation
    Hair Espresso Brunette Is the Most Low-Maintenance Hair Color Trend for Fall All the richness of autumn, with just enough lingering summer glow.
    By Siena Gagliano
     
     
    Latest in Hair
    Princess Catharina Amalia wearing a red top and smiling
    Royals Europe's Future Queens Are Making Their Own Royal Beauty Rules
    a woman in a fashionable red blazer and curly hair next to humidity hair products
    Hair It May Be 90 Percent Humidity, But With These Products, My Hair Still Looks Good
     
     
    ocean water background with two girls with beach waves on top next to hair styling products for fine hair
    Hair Think Beach Waves Won't Last On Fine Hair? I Found the Fool-Proof Routine
    Princess Kate sitting in a car wearing a white blouse and brown hat
    Royals Princess Kate’s Summer Hair Switch-Up Has Become a Balmoral Tradition
     
     
    Latest in News
    Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has red hair and a short beard and wears a suit and tie and attends the Kyiv Security Forum, in Kyiv on April 23, 2026
    Royals Prince Harry "Used to Try and Escape" and "Disappear"
    Serena Williams wears a custom Nike jacket to play doubles with sister Venus Williams
    Celebrity Style Serena Williams's Custom Nike Jacket Pays Tribute to Her Incredible Career
     
     
    Prince Harry smiling in front of a step and repeat
    Royals Royal Fans Hope Prince Harry "Reunites With" One Relative
    Queen Camilla visits Speke Hall in Liverpool as Patron of the National Literacy Trust on September 04, 2026
    Royals Why Queen Camilla Says She's "A Little Creaky"
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.