Few stars have gone through transformations like Alicia Keys.
Early days
And it wasn’t just her looks that had critics fired up.
Keys spoke withMakersabout how difficult it can be to break into the male-dominated music scene.
“I had these different guy producers who wrote me off from the beginning,” she said.
“I definitely love my braids,” sheshared withInStyle.
“They make me feel regal and individualistic.”
Tough girl style
Alicia Keys has always had a strong style and point of view.
However, in her early days, her strong style might have been more armor than fashion statement.
She has shared that she hid behind her tough style.
Keys wanted to avoid the whistles and catcalls, so covered up to keep away the attention.
“And so I started hiding.
I chose to hide.”
When her first album debuted, she kept her tough exterior.
Fortunately Alicia has stopped hiding and fully embraced her true self.
You are allowed to be sexy … You are allowed to be yourself!!"
She ditched the braids for a pin-straight style and rocked long bangs.
Her debut albumSongs in A Minorcleaned up at the Grammys, but didn’t win Song of the Year.
After the show, Mayer actually took his Grammy apart and send the top half to Keys.
“So as far as I’m concerned, I won that!”
She began to really come into her own style and opted for soft, more natural waves.
Keysspoke withThe Telegraphabout her decision to fully embrace herself and her style, regardless of what anyone else thought.
So I did feel like I had to control it.
I had to claim my space," she explained.
Keys is a proud NYC native and credits her upbringing for making her who she is today.
She sharedin a blog postthat growing up in New York gave her that tough exterior.
“People needed to know that you weren’t scared to fight!”
Mindful mama
2010was a big yearfor Keys.
With all those changes at once, it took Keys a little time to find her groove again.
“I’m overly accommodating, like sickeningly so.
I’m becoming better at that,” she shared.
Keys used the example of placing your mask on first when on an airplane.
“That’s my favorite thing they say on the plane,” she shared.
“Like, ‘You don’t do that, you don’t secure your own mask?
What’s the matter with you?’
And somehow I do that same thing.”
So what is Alicia’s mask in real life?
One word: meditation.
Keys knows that if she neglects her meditation practice, she won’t feel like herself.
“And I can tell the difference in the choices that I’m making… my center is off.
I feel shaken a bit more, but when I do it I feel sturdy.”
Children’s book author
Ahh Alicia Keys!
Stop shaming us with all your accomplishments!
In 2014, the singer/songwriter/actress/producer/wife/mother became achildren’s book author.
I hope my new book, Blue Moon, adds some magic to moments with your little ones!
She ditched the heels and makeup for running shoes and early morning training sessions.
After reluctantly signing up for the New York City Marathon, she eventually got into it.
She shared in ablog postthat her brother asked her to join him in training for the marathon.
“My first instinct was to say, “HELL NO!”
But then I thought,This is my city, so why not?
And it isn’t just Keys' brother who keeps her motivated it’s all for charity.
So how does Alicia fit it all in?
Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak trains Keys with her patented5-Factor Fitnessapproach.
Pasternak likes to keep Keys moving, even when they’re lifting weights.
As for cardio, Pasternak sticks with high-intensity shorter bursts.
Alicia Keys has never shied away from using her public profile for good.
A true activist at heart, she co-foundedKeep a Child Alive.
They released a video calling for “radical transformation” and urged fans to sign the petition for Congress.
One of her team memberstold CNNthat Keys is “honest and real.”
Her warm, caring coaching style is unlike any other judge.
Keys shared that she wastired of trying to be and look like someone she is not.
“Can’t get much clearer than that.
Keys was always used to being scrutinized for her looks.
When you’re a rising star, there’s always someone with an opinion about it.
She just didn’t realize how much it was affecting her until a recent photo shoot.
So what made her decide to ditch the Maybelline for good?
She says it’s “Cause I don’t want to cover up anymore.
Even high-definition TV is kind to Alicia and her ridiculously small pores.
Well, wipe your tears, because even Ms. Keys has help when it comes to skin.
“Alicia gets regular facials, does acupuncture and she eats healthy and exercises,” Dotti shared.
“She knows you have to invest internally for your skin to look great externally.
It’s also about how you process your energy.
She comes from a very strong place and she comes from a very kind place.
That in itself is super important.
But it’s about the choices she’s making and the products she’s using.
It’s the work of a good team.”
So what are some small tweaks we could all make a run at get that glowing look?
“It brings her skin to life, it practically makes her skin say, ‘Hi.
I love you.'”
Cucumber also helps cool the skin and bring that blood flow back to the surface.
Dotti likes to grate an entire cucumber and place it over Alicia’s eyes for a cooling effect.
And according to Dotti, it seems like Keys is not interested in trying makeup again anytime soon.
