B.A.P.S. (1997), an acronym for Black African Princesses, flawlessly embodied the exquisite great thing about each Halle Berry and the late Natalie Deselle-Reid. The late Nineties film epitomizes the essence of Black beauty. Very like Hair Show (2004), the allure of B.A.P.S. represents a timeless beauty that continues to influence the industry of today. From the trending “auntiecore” on TikTok to ’90s makeup looks resurfacing, these princesses set trends that not only defined the late Nineties but additionally left an enduring impact on the twenty first century.

Though the film never won any awards, B.A.P.S. was a touchstone to the essence of Black women and our beauty routines, personifying what Black beauty is. Berry and Desselle-Reid’s daring and exaggerated appearances tapped into the nostalgia related to the round-the-way girls. From earrings present in beauty supply stores to finely arched eyebrows, and gold caps to structured bouffant hairstyles, let’s take a nostalgic look into the fascinating beauty showcased in B.A.P.S.

Hair

B.A.P.S. leading ladies, Halle Berry and Natalie Deselle-Reid, had their hair parted, greased, straightened and curled. From pin to barrel curls, zig-zag and side parts, their hairstyles played a pivotal role in shaping the film’s aesthetics. These pin-straight, curled, and cut styles, which dominated the late Nineties to the mid-2000s, were harking back to the fascinating styles often featured within the hair shows of yesteryear. Under the expertise of Hairstylist Kim Kimble, the larger than life styles, described by Kimble as “fantasy type hair,” not only garnered attention for the film, but additionally provided essential representation for the wealthy landscape of Black beauty culture.

Makeup

To match the meticulous pin curls, pin-thin eyebrows were the right accompaniment. Plucked, waxed, and threaded, Berry and Deselle-Reid’s eyebrows were lined with light concealer. In stark contrast to their lips, the actresses employed deep lip liners combined with a vivid, shimmering fill. The dark eyeliner drew attention to their theatrical gazes, complemented by a subtle, powdered eyeshadow. Employing a light-weight foundation and a fragile blush as ending touches, this approach allowed the innate great thing about the actresses to radiate effortlessly.

Nails

The epitome of lengthy nails is vividly displayed throughout B.A.P.S. The film features long, square-shaped nails adorned with a fragile light blue polish, enhanced by dark blue suggestions accented with jewels. These elegantly curved nails perfectly complement the bumped ends of hairstyles, accompanied by regular visits to the nail salon to experiment with a plethora of fresh nail sets. From gently curved nails sporting vibrant orange polish to extravagantly elongated nails adorned with intricate designs, manicures have consistently held an important place in the sweetness regimen of Black women.

Teeth

From Recent York to late-’90s Georgia, the Black community adorned their teeth with gold, creating a particular style. Gold caps seamlessly complemented the extravagant hair show hairstyles. Within the context of B.A.P.S., these gold caps adorned each front and side teeth, perfectly aligning with the sweetness supply store earrings they were paired with. Gold teeth have grow to be synonymous with rap culture, just as gold caps have grow to be synonymous with the fascinating allure of the fabulous Black African Princesses.

Accessories

Aside from gold caps, jewelry has consistently been an integral part of Black beauty. Starting from earrings sourced from beauty supply stores to cherished family heirloom rings, accessories possess significance beyond adorning the neck. In B.A.P.S., gold-plated jewelry served as a particular touch, featuring pearls, hearts, and various gemstones that added a flair to the style. In a specific scene, Halle Berry donned a gold belt that not only cinched her waist over an orange jumpsuit but additionally harmonized with all of the gold accessories in her ensemble.