Taraji P. Henson knows how to make an entrance, and at the 2025 BET Awards, she did just that, not just with her fashion but with a bold beauty look that turned heads and sparked instant conversation.
The Emmy-nominated actress and host of the evening showed up with a fierce, graphic eyeshadow look that evoked the experimental energy of the Luar Spring/Summer 2025 runway, specifically the viral leopard-print tattoo eyes seen at the show.
In place of a traditional smoky eye or shimmer lid, Henson’s makeup artist leaned fully into drama and editorial edge. A layered composition of bold black lines and strategically placed negative space extended beyond the eyelid, almost like face paint or temporary tattoo art. The shape was feline, fierce, and fashion-forward, a homage, intentional or not, to Luar’s now-iconic SS25 leopard spots that wrapped around the models’ eyes like street-savvy warpaint.
Paired with a sleek pulled-back hairstyle and a minimal, nude lip, the look placed full focus on the eyes. And rightly so: it’s not often we see this level of artistry and risk-taking on the red carpet. The result was an unforgettable moment of beauty expression that bridges the gap between runway avant-garde and red carpet glam.
What makes Henson’s look particularly standout is its cultural relevance. Luar’s SS25 collection explored identity and fierceness within the framework of Afro-Latinx and Black diasporic aesthetics. By referencing that energy, even if unintentionally, Henson’s makeup aligned itself with a growing beauty trend that rejects minimalist conformity in favor of maximalist self-expression.
As beauty continues to expand its boundaries, moments like these signal a shift in red carpet norms. Celebrities like Henson are using makeup as more than an accessory, they’re using it as a statement, a nod to fashion’s future, and a celebration of Black creativity in all its bold forms.
The takeaway? Don’t be afraid to go graphic. Whether on the runway or the awards stage, beauty is entering its fearless era, and Taraji P. Henson is leading the charge, one wild shadow look at a time.
