Aaliyah: A Beauty Tribute [Pics and Video]

With 3 platinum albums, a film career, a diverse personal style, a charm and allure all her own, Aaliyah’s impact is one we will never forget. Aaliyah Dana Haughton, also known as “baby girl” to close friends and family, dominated the charts in the 90s and beyond with hits like Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number, One in a Million, and More Than A Woman. But it was her sweet, humble personality, natural beauty and dynamic stage presence and performances that won over our hearts.

Although ten years have passed since the songstress graced our TV screens and magazines with her brilliant smile, signature side bang with dark shades and smooth dance moves, her career continues to have a lasting effect on fans, musicians and entertainers alike.

Sampling her hits At Your Best (You Are Love) and Best Friends, both J. Cole and Drake have made it clear the influence the R&B princess has had on their lives and how much they miss her presence and aura in the music industry. Through her crunk style matrix-like signature moves, Ciara has clearly looked to Aaliyah’s signature dance routines as her choreographic inspiration. Other entertainers such as Alicia Keys, Cassie Ventura, Meagan Good, Tristan Wilds and more have also gone on record to say that her unique style has inspired and impacted their lives.

Aaliyah’s presence was clearly unforgettable. In addition to being an award-winning R&B star, who was at a pivotal point in her career at the tender age of 22, she was also in the process making a name for herself in Hollywood with two movies under her belt: Romeo Must Die and Queen of The Damned. She was also set to star in Honey, The Matrix and the remake of Sparkle. It’s unfortunate that we’ll never have the opportunity to see how far she could have gone on the big screen or in her music career, for that matter.

But instead of asking ‘Why her?’, we choose to remember the countless reasons she gave us to celebrate her life, smile, dance like nobody’s watching and lip-sync to some of her most notable hits. Years will go by, seasons will change but our love for our muse Aaliyah will always be the same.

Here are five elements of her beauty look that live on:

1. The Swoop

Aaliyah made the swoop her signature hair look, and we’re glad she did. It gave her an air of mystery and sensuality that fit with her personality.

2. Luscious Lashes

A fan of the old adage “less is more,” Aaliyah traditionally kept a clean, fresh face but upped the glamour quotient with full, luscious lashes.

3. Sun-kissed Skin

Flawless, supple and radiant, Aaliyah’s skin just added to her exquisite, stunning natural beauty.

4. Full, Beautiful Hair

Over the years, her hair was arguably her most celebrated and talked-about feature. It was shiny, long, full, bouncy and simply, beautiful.

5. Smoky Eyes and Red Lips

During her last album, Aaliyah experimented more with color to gorgeous, dramatic effect. Here, she rocks smoky eyes and red lips that only enhance her natural beauty.

What do you miss most about Aaliyah?

Check out video of her fave Aaliyah tunes here:

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