Kerry Washington Pairs Timeless Fashion With Pamela Anderson Hair

Kerry Washington married timeless fashion with bombshell hair at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on Thursday night, where she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dressed in a baby pink Brandon Maxwell slip and a slouchy leather jacket, the 49-year-old “Scandal” actress posed on the cream-colored carpet ahead of the ceremony. Washington’s inky black hair was styled in a tangled updo, with freshly trimmed fringe framing her face and loose curls spilling out the top of her head.

The messy hair aesthetic, styled by artist Rio Sreedharan, resembled Pamela Anderson’s quintessential style. It wasn’t, however, a look Washington dons often. Typically, the “Shadow Force” star will opt for a slicked-updo, a bouffant bob or free-flowing ringlets. On Wednesday, at An Unforgettable Evening by the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, Washington sported sleek, straight ends.

Her makeup, designed by Kenneth Soh, was on par with her signature skin-first look. For eyes, Soh blended brown hues with a subtle bronze shadow in the crease, carrying the darker tones into Washington’s waterline. Using concealer, the artist cut the shadow from the outer corners up toward the tips of her eyebrows for a winged effect. Washington’s cheeks were blotted with pink blush, and her lips were dressed in a matte nude.

Elsewhere at the ceremony, actress Chase Infiniti dressed in a knit, one-shoulder gown from the Schiaparelli Spring 2026 runway. Instead of her usual serving of frizzy curls, hairstylist Coree Moreno imagined a slicked bun with a braided accent around the face. The elegant aesthetic was paired with sultry makeup by artist Amber Dreadon, featuring lashes by Andi Soon.

Next to Infiniti was her “One Battle After Another” costar Teyana Taylor, the reigning recipient of the coveted Fierce and Fearless Award. The 35-year-old multifaceted talent celebrated the night in a nude Sabina Bilenko Couture gown adorned with butterflies.