Eartha! Josephine! Whitney! The beauty secrets inspired by icons from Keke Palmer's cover shoot in July.

      Scroll through our breathtaking July cover featuring Keke Palmer, and you'll experience nearly a century of star-studded time travel. Palmer, with her vibrant scarlet hair, headlines the feature before transitioning into a heartfelt tribute to three influential Black women who have profoundly inspired her: 1920s Josephine Baker, 1960s Eartha Kitt, and 1980s and 1990s Whitney Houston. In her cover interview, Palmer shared that embodying these icons went beyond merely replicating their appearances; it was about capturing the essence of each woman's influence. "These women found ways to express themselves in a world that had no space for them," Palmer noted. "They were always so much more than what society expected them to be."

      Wardrobe undoubtedly played a crucial role during the shoot, but the hair and makeup transformations held equal importance, offering a deeply meaningful experience for hairstylist Kira Hameed and makeup artist Kenya Alexis. "Each look was deeply rooted in cultural nostalgia and legacy—this was a full-circle moment for me," Hameed reflected. "As a Black woman, honoring these iconic figures through hair was more than styling; it was storytelling. I thought about my roots, how my grandmother did hair in the kitchen, and the tools and traditions passed down through generations. It reminded me that hair is history. It's legacy. I'm grateful to portray that story through my work." Alexis added, "This shoot was about more than just glamour. It celebrated legacy, power, and storytelling. Watching Keke transform into each of these iconic women was motivating, and I felt honored to help realize that vision through makeup."

      Below, we delve into each of the three looks, exploring their strength and inspiration along with the artistic tips and products that were essential. continue scrolling for more. To recreate Eartha Kitt's signature curly crop, Hameed aimed to maintain a sleek, timeless, and sultry look. "It centered around finger waves coupled with a dramatic side part to capture Kitt's signature feline allure," she explained. (One of Kitt's most famous roles was Catwoman in the 1960s Batman television series.) Throughout the shoot, Hameed utilized traditional techniques to ensure utmost authenticity in Palmer's various hair looks (think hot tools on the stove, old-fashioned rollers, and pressing combs), reminiscent of her grandmother's methods. Key products used on set included Kenra's Volume Spray ($22) for lasting hold with touchable softness, KeraCare's Oil Sheen ($11) for lightweight shine and hydration, and The Frontal Queen's Lace Melting Spray ($21), a popular alcohol-free adhesive for lace installations.

      For makeup, Alexis emphasized precision in capturing Kitt's essence: "minimal eye makeup, sharply defined dark brows, and a bold red matte lip for timeless elegance." To create a solid base for all three looks, Alexis depended on a handful of beloved skincare classics such as Tatcha's Luminous Dewy Skin Mist ($49), Embryolisse's Lait-Crème Concentré ($17), and Milk Makeup's top-selling Hydro Grip Makeup Primer ($29) to secure everything in place.

      When Palmer first expressed her vision to honor three iconic women who laid the groundwork in the industry, the wardrobe, hair, and makeup teams all brought distinct ideas to the forefront. "From a hair standpoint, this shoot focused on creating silhouettes and textures that would be immediately recognizable," Hameed noted. "These styles make it clear who they represent. Josephine Baker's look emphasized vintage glamour, so we embraced sculpted waves and precision." Hameed highlighted the deliberate decision to switch Keke's signature red hair to jet black. "This was not about trends, but about tribute," she clarified. "Black hair felt like the appropriate homage to the women we were honoring. I researched historical photos, vintage films, and even beauty supply catalogs from the past to deeply immerse myself in their eras."

      When I asked Alexis which look was the most enjoyable to recreate through makeup, she quickly selected Josephine Baker. "It was bold, glamorous, and allowed me to experiment with structure and color," she noted. "I especially enjoyed crafting the thin black brows—they added so much character and completed the transformation." Alexis infused vintage drama with matte skin, ample berry-toned blush and contour, the previously mentioned black curved brows, and Baker's iconic deep lip. Despite the external inspirations for all three looks, Alexis still leaned into Palmer's standout features: her eyes and cheekbones. "She's incredibly expressive, and I love using soft, smoky liners and lashes to enhance her gaze," Alexis shared. "I always layer cream and powder blush to add warmth and dimension to her face. It's a signature technique I enjoy using on her."

      One might think that switching between multiple looks for wardrobe, makeup, hair, and nails could complicate matters on set, but Hameed assured me that