Beyond her Grammy-winning musical talent, Tems has become a true style icon, particularly known for her captivating and innovative hairstyles that frequently go viral.
Why Tems' Hairstyles Captivate Fans
What makes Tems' hair choices so remarkable is her ability to transform classic, old-school Nollywood-inspired looks into contemporary masterpieces. She frequently experiments with curly extensions, feed-in braids, stitch braids, and cornrows, creating styles that are both nostalgic and utterly modern.
Her strategic approach to hairstyling makes perfect sense for her busy schedule. By working with extensions and focused braiding techniques rather than full-head styles, Tems can switch up her look frequently without spending excessive time in the salon chair.
5 Viral Tems Hairstyles You Need to Try
1. The Flipped Bob with Stitch Braid Accents
This elegant style went completely viral after Tems wore it during her 2024 appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, where she performed "Love Me JeJe." The look features a sophisticated flipped-out bob that sits just above her shoulders, creating beautiful volume at the ends.
The front section showcases meticulously done stitch braids that blend seamlessly into the rest of the style. This creates a half-up, half-down effect that perfectly combines sleekness with bounce.
How to achieve it: Stylists use weave or extensions for the main body of hair, heat-styled into the signature flip. The stitch braids at the front are created by braiding small sections near the hairline before blending them into the longer hair.
2. The Slicked-Back Braid with Laid Edges
Tems brought high-fashion drama to the Met Gala with this incredibly polished look. Her hair was perfectly pulled back into a single, long braid using extensions, but the true standout feature was the beautifully laid edges styled into a circular design at her temples.
This hairstyle creates a clean, sophisticated canvas that perfectly showcases statement earrings and keeps the face beautifully open.
How to achieve it: This style requires strong-hold gel and edge control to smooth the hair back before adding extensions for the braid. The edges are carefully laid with a brush and gel to create that smooth, defined curl pattern.
3. The Glamorous Boho French Curls
This popular braided look has become one of Tems' signature styles, seen on multiple occasions. It's a creative variation of classic box braids, using French curl hair extensions to create stunning, voluminous curls throughout the braids.
The result is a beautiful, textured look that appears both carefully styled and effortlessly natural, with loose curls flowing freely from the braids.
How to achieve it: After braiding with French curl extensions, stylists tie or crochet additional curly extensions onto the braids, leaving them to hang freely and create that signature boho effect.
4. The Half-Up Cornrows with Loose Waves
Tems showcased this versatile look during her Coldplay performance at Wembley Stadium and in a different color variation in Marbella. The style cleverly mixes braids and loose hair for a dynamic effect.
The top section features straight-back cornrows that create a neat, pulled-back appearance, while the remaining hair flows freely in loose waves, following the Shuku pattern.
How to achieve it: The front hair is braided into cornrows and gathered into a ponytail, while wavy or curly extensions are added as leave-out to create the flowing bottom section.
5. The Messy Braids and Beads from "Crazy Tings"
This iconic 2021 look from her "Crazy Tings" music video set the tone for the hairstyles we now associate with Tems. It features long, chunky box braids with distinctive beads and cowrie shells strategically placed throughout.
The intentionally "undone" styling gives the look raw, beautiful energy that perfectly complemented the song's vibe, often styled in messy buns for added texture and movement.
How to achieve it: After standard box braiding with extensions, various beads, shells, or hair cuffs are threaded onto the hair before sealing the ends, typically with hot water dipping.
Transform Your Look with Tems' Hair Inspiration
Tems continues to set hair trends by blending traditional Nigerian hair techniques with contemporary fashion sensibilities. Her styles demonstrate how classic African hairstyles can be reinvented for modern red carpets and everyday wear.
Whether you're looking for elegant sophistication or bold statement pieces, these five Tems-inspired hairstyles offer plenty of inspiration for your next salon appointment. Each look proves that with creativity and skill, traditional techniques can produce truly revolutionary results.
