Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images
Kehlani is part of the 2026 Essence Festival of Culture lineup. Don’t miss out—tickets here: Get Tickets
On Kehlani’s 31st birthday today, she gave us a gift instead: her self-titled (and fifth) album, KEHLANI. The 19-song project is full of collaborations with the artists who inspire her, including Clipse, Usher, Missy Elliott, and fellow ESSENCE Festival 2026 performer, Brandy. But, this album isn’t the first standout moment Kehlani has had this year. She won her first-ever Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance, further acknowledging her impact as an R&B and Soul artist.
But, Kehlani’s influence extends far beyond music with a beauty and fashion evolution that sets a similar tone. She’s not married to one single aesthetic, moving effortlessly between buzz cuts, sharp pixie styles, and sculpted fades. At the 2021 Met Gala, for example, she attended in a dual-colored feathered cut and a cropped crystal suit. Then, just 2 months later, she cut all her hair off for a slicked pixie cut which she paired with a red feathered gown.
As for makeup, Kehlani balances softness with edge. She frequently plays with interesting eyeshadow, unexpected hair, and glossy lips like at the 4th Annual Give Her FlowHERS Gala. Whether she’s stepping onto a red carpet in full beat glam or posting more stripped-down, fresh-faced moments, she maintains a sense of authenticity that makes every look feel personal rather than performative.
Fashion-wise, she matches her beauty with comfort and style. From oversized tailoring and statement outerwear (see: the 17th Annual ASCAP Women Behind the Music) to body-skimming silhouettes and cutout details (like at this year’s The Drama premiere), Kehlani’s wardrobe is sexy, structured, and relaxed all at once. She can live in streetwear-inspired fits, baggy denim, crop tops, and layered jewelry, while also finding comfort in high-fashion gowns that highlight her tattoos and presence. In the end, every look feels like an extension of her evolving identity: fluid, fearless, and self-defined.
Ahead, take a look at some of the ESSENCE Festival performer’s beauty and fashion moments in honor of her 31st birthday.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Kehlani attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 20: Kehlani attends Refinery29’s 29Rooms San Francisco Turn it into Art opening party on June 20, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 20: Kehlani attends iHeartRadio Y100’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented By Capital One at Kaseya Center on December 20, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Kehlani arrives at the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2025 at The Lot at Formosa on April 08, 2025 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 11: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NOT TO BE LICENSED FOR ANY STANDALONE OR SPECIAL INTEREST BOOK PUBLISHING USE CONCERNING THE COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL AND/OR STAGECOACH MUSIC FESTIVAL) Kehlani performs with Giveon at the Coachella Stage during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 11, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 27: Singer Kehlani performs onstage during Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2016 at Barclays Center on October 27, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for iHeart- Power 105.1)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 13: Kehlani attends the Los Angeles Premiere of “The Harder They Fall” at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on October 13, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 29: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Kehlani attends 2026 Recording Academy Honors Presented by The Black Music Collective at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Kehlani attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 10: Kehlani is seen on November 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Nancy Rivera/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Kehlani arrives at The Fashion Awards 2021 at Royal Albert Hall on November 29, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Kehlani attends as Harper’s BAZAAR celebrates “ICONS By Carine Roitfeld” at The Plaza Hotel presented by Cartier – Arrivals on September 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Harper’s BAZAAR )
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 21: Kehlani attends the Femme It Forward’s 4th Annual Give Her FlowHERS Gala at The Beverly Hilton on November 21, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Kehlani attends the 67th GRAMMY Awards on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Singer Kehlani attends the 2023 Adult Video News Awards at Resorts World Las Vegas on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Kehlani attends the 2024 Warner Music Group Pre-GRAMMY Party at Citizen News Hollywood on February 01, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 17: Kehlani Parrish attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of A24’s “The Drama” at DGA Theater Complex on March 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto Rodriguez/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 02: Kehlani performs onstage at Chase Center on November 02, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Dana Jacobs/Getty Images)
Kehlani at the 17th Annual ASCAP Women Behind the Music event on November 12, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 29: Kehlani performs during the ‘Crash’ World Tour at the O2 Arena on January 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Kehlani performs during 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park on October 06, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/WireImage)
SURREY, BC – JULY 07: Singer-songwriter Kehlani performs on stage during Day 2 of FVDED In The Park at Holland Park on July 7, 2018 in Surrey, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
INDIO, CA – APRIL 15: Kehlani performs onstage during the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Field onApril 15, 2018 in Indio, California. (Photo by Natt Lim/Getty Images for Coachella)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Recording artist Kehlani performs onstage during the 2016 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto Rodriguez/BET/Getty Images for BET )
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 26: Kehlani, winner of the R&B Song of the Year award for “Folded, poses in the press room during the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 26, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Kehlani at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at Dolby Theatre on March 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
MUMBAI, INDIA – JANUARY 25: Kehlani performs on stage at Lollapalooza India 2026 on January 25, 2026 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)