Ke$ha's Look: Garbage Chic or Just Plain Trash?

By Jo Piazza Posted Feb 7th 2010 01:00PM

Artfully dirty 22-year-old singing sensation Ke$ha is still leading the Billboard singles chart with her catchy 'TiK ToK.' Reigning pop princess Rihanna recently called her "dope", "incredible" and the new "it" girl. The New York Times is even a little swoony over her, but some fans are grossed out by her trashy look. Does she go too far? PopEater finds out.

Ke$ha's trademark is what she calls her "garbage chic" style, messed hair, smudged makeup, embracing imperfection rather than hiding her flaws.

"It was something that Ke$ha has said evolved from being poor and trying to brand herself as best she could on a budget -- it wasn't about going to Urban Outfitters and paying full price to look 'vintage,' although that's probably exactly what most fans will do," explains Marissa Gold of StyleList. "As for whether the look works or not -- it's definitely a win for the Ke$ha in terms of getting noticed, but it's not something that's going to be as charming in real-life."

Some fans want the girl with the dollar sign in her name to clean up her act just a little bit, especially when stepping out at something as time-honored as the Grammys' red carpet with music legends and rock royalty. From the moment Ke$ha walked out of her car and into the spotlight on Sunday night the twitters-sphere erupted with calls for the singer to at least bother to brush her hair or properly apply eyeliner.

Among the comments that inundated Twitter over Ke$ha's look: "She looks like she never bathes and if she does, it's in booze." "Looks like a mess and not a hot one." "Ke$ha looks disgusting at the Grammys."

Celebrity Stylist Mary Alice Stephenson agrees. "It's not a good sign when Britney is more stylish than you," Stephenson says.

"Messy, bedhead hair should look sexy, not dirty. And what's with the feathers? One of my personal style icons, Debbie Harry (of Blondie fame), was legendary for her tousled blonde mane...Ke$ha should definitely take a page from her book for inspiration. There is nothing 'chic' about garbage," says beauty and style blogger Africa Miranda of The Hairnista Chronicals.

We totally understand that this is a "style choice." Even Christina Aguilera went through her "dirrrty" phase. But Christina finally cleaned up and now flaunts a super glam style. Maybe that is part of Ke$ha's long-term strategy for spotlight staying power.

"It's hard to get noticed in the music industry. You have to create a recognizable image; there are a million pretty pop princess with mile long extensions. Ke$ha was smart by defining her style as 'garbage can chic,'" says Valerie Anderson of Hair on the Brain."She has the stories to back it up. She threw up in Paris Hilton's closet. She lived out of her car. She broke into Prince's house! If she sticks around, Ke$ha's garbage can chic is setting her up for a great transformation later in her career. She'll drop the money symbol and become 'Kesha', scrape off the glitter makeup, wash the bedhead and become glam--major news story. Everyone loves a makeover!"

Even the beauty industry is taking notice. Last month grooming website Lock & Mane composed a blog post entitled, "Ke$ha Can We Brush Your Hair?"

"It was a public service of sorts," explains Lock & Mane's Margaret Kelly. "Maybe she doesn't own a brush. We just want to help a young girl look her best."

Tags: Kesha

Comments

(33)

Sunday 07 February

By Jenni

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I'm sure if she dressed "normal" it would be hard to hide the fact that she is Debbie Gibson's Doppelganger!!!!

By Kristian

With or without makeup. Hair brushed or unbrushed, she's pure animal - and that's hot.

Monday 08 February

By cheryl

i think she is a cutie pie! i love her song tik tok! she is young and having fun! it's what's in your heart that matters! GOD BLESS!

Tuesday 09 February

By Aunty Ne-Ne

well, maybe when she gets a little older, she can be an anchorwoman for Fox News.

...perfect fit...

By foxgirl947

i love tik tok and her style its nothing i would wear but shes just trying to blend in with the rest of the crazy world that we call hollywood it matters if you wear those 800 dollar shoes down the red carpet and that dress that the best disigner in the world made. im not saying that everybody who wrote bad about her needs to think about all the pressure it is to be a star

By Apostate

This Skid Row urchin knows exactly what she's doing by stepping out of her hovel like this,so as far as attention-seeking images go,she gets high marks. As far as her musical career is concerned,I'd be surprised if she doesn't turn out to be one of this year's one-hit wonders...

By DeeWA2009

I think she's going to look back and be dismayed with herself. She really looks BAD! I'm pretty hip and I don't mean that in a good way!

By Songwriter88

Its her style, the way that she expresses herself, and if that is her image then oh well people should just get over it.

By Debbie

Answering some of my fan mail (kidding) -

Peyton says: Wow, you have a lot to say. Why'd you click on the page? I think Kesha's An awesome person. I look up to her. Can you look any better?

I say: I clicked on the page to see who she was. Never heard of her. That's great you think she's awesome. To each is own. Nice to see people are still looking up to others as long as that person is positive.
Can I do better - I already have.

littlepjroll says: Why are you so mean? She has a #1 song on the charts. Can you guys sing, i don't think so. Thank you to people who know what style is! and do you like avril Lavigne's style if you fo you should like hers.

I say: Yes I can sing but I haven't made a career out of it. If that's her calling great but people will have their opinions. Since she doesn't know do you really think she cares or even reads this little blogs?
I never said what her style is. I simply answered a question. I am allowed. You need to chill out. As for Avril Lavigne, this wasn't about her.

Wednesday 03 March

By NANCY

SHE CANT EVEN SING!!!! SHES HORRIBLE UGH,,,,,,,,,,,

Tuesday 20 April

By Sonia

How many of you would dress lik that in public shes famous and she has the guts to do that.... shes awesome and not to mention the best singer ever!

i love kesha

Saturday 12 November

By pumpkinpret

I like how everyone is dissing her feathers and now everyone wears feathers. Obviously she is ahead of the game.

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