I Want to Take a Magnifying Glass to Willow Smith's Massive, Sculptural Updos

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ICYMI, Willow Smith is Allure's latest cover star, and both the interview and Smith's stunning sculptural hairstyles are not to be missed.

The musician, whose new album empathogen drops on May 3, discusses this new chapter of her career; the record sees Smith moving away from the rock sound she's become known for and instead incorporating elements of jazz, as inspired by Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, and Sarah Vaughan. “Everyone wanted me to make another rock album. I just always do the thing that everyone thinks is a bad idea," she explains in our interview. "People thought that doing a rock album was going to be a bad idea, and then it turned out to be a good idea, and so I just have to trust myself because you live and die by your own hand. That's the life of an artist.”

Hairstylist Vernon François, who frequently works with Smith, created several braid-centric looks for the star, including a sky-high updo that begins with braids and evolves into a wrapped, multi-layered oversized knot at the top of Smith's head. Teeny tiny microtwists descend from the top of said knot, flowing all the way down nearly to Smith's waist, a gorgeous complement to the avant-garde Iris van Herpen and Issey Miyake looks.

In another shot, Smith wears a plethora of variously sized braids wrapped around her head and woven together, then twisted outwards. (See the full look in this BTS snap by François.)

We can't talk about these pics without mentioning the equally gorgeous makeup courtesy of makeup artist Raoul Alejandre, especially the sunset hues painted across Smith's eyes in several shots. Alejandre applied a molten gold shade to her lids, then blended it into a warm, vibrant red tone at the outer corners of her eyes and past her temples, concentrating a blend of the two colors between Smith's brows. Later in the shoot, the red shadow is gone, replaced by a delicate wash of gold on the lids and a mesmerizing, prismatic deep brown and gold glossy lip.

In the interview, the musician shares how her youthful experimentation with dyeing her hair and shaving her head helped her connect with her truest self. “My mother allowed me to do that because she strongly believed that being able to express myself in that way was very important," the star shares. “And I completely agree with her because it helped me figure out who I am.”

More about braids:

• Freestyle Braids Are Not Your Grandma's Cornrows

• 7 Braided Hairstyles to Wear for the Ultimate Hot Girl Summer

• I Discovered My New Favorite Protective Style on a Trip to Ghana

Now, watch Janet Jackson revisit her best music video looks:

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Originally Appeared on Allure