35 of Zendaya's Best Hair Looks of All Time

Zendaya 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards - Arrivals

After spending most of her life in the public eye, Zendaya has shown the world that she has serious style in the fashion and hair department. And unlike other stars her age, Zendaya isn’t afraid to experiment. The starlet has been known to switch her hair up three times in 48 hours. From a range of curls and waves to sleek ponytails and textured bobs, Zendaya can do it all. Here is an ode to the star’s 35 best hairstyles of all time.

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Rounded Bob

zendaya lob — PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN / GETTY IMAGES

This fluffy lob is a 1960s callback, but modernized. A round brush and a great blowout can help achieve a similar look but note that Zendaya’s style (seen at the Valentino Womenswear Fall/Winter 2022/2023 show) is all about the cut.

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Straight and Classic

Before Zendaya became the style icon we know and love today, she dabbled in simpler (but classic) hairstyles. During her red carpet appearance at the 2022 Time 100 Gala, she caught everyone’s attention with her sleek Rapunzel-length locks and striking middle part.

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Low Pony With Side Part

Zendaya slicked side part low ponytail — KARWAI TANG / CONTRIBUTOR / GETTY IMAGES

At the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Zendaya sported a stunning low ponytail that featured a slick side part. The part and gelled texture added a beautifully contrasted touch to her overall style.

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Textured Chignon

At the 94th Annual Academy Awards, Zendaya was really feeling the classic look and brought it out via this textured chignon. She paired the classic updo with messy, undone texture,

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Slicked-Back and Tucked Under

At this 2022 Euphoria event, Zendaya was donning one of her most innovative hair looks. Here, she mimicked the look of a bob by wearing her hair slicked back and tucked under (so she got the look of shorter hair without the actual chop).

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Voluminous Curls With Bangs

At a 2021 Dune photocall, Zendaya rocked loose curls with blunt, fringey bangs. The volume just gives us life and provides such a nice counterpoint to the straight bangs.

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Red Carpet Cornrows

Zendaya in cornrows — AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN / CONTRIBUTOR / GETTY IMAGES

Zendaya hasn’t been afraid to wear protective styles on the red carpet and it’s a big reason why so many women of color are inspired by the young star. At one of the premieres for her 2021 film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, the actress and singer wore simple, elegant cornrows.

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Thick Box Braids

Zendaya in box braids — TAYLOR HILL / CONTRIBUTOR / GETTY IMAGES

At the 2021 CFDA awards, Zendaya’s gorgeous choice of a protective style was certainly one that broke the mold from the event’s sea of pressed hair. Her center-parted, box braids were nothing short of stunning that night.

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Barbie Curls

Zendaya with curls — DANIELE VENTURELLI / CONTRIBUTOR / GETTY IMAGES

At a 2021 photocall, Zendaya was a total Barbie girl with her side-parted, voluminous loose curls. It’s an especially fun style considering that she wore it with a more tailored ensemble, adding some personality to the buttoned-up look.

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Chic High Pony

Zendaya high ponytail — AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN / CONTRIBUTOR / GETTY IMAGES

Even when she goes back to basics, Zendaya always gives a style a twist. Case in point: this high ’60s-inspired ponytail worn to the 2021 premiere of Space Jam: A New Legacy. She expertly paired the look with a colorful outfit, and we love that her ponytail is a nod to her character, Lola Bunny.

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Sleek Top Knot

One of Zendaya’s most tried-and-true looks is the chic top knot, seen here at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. The starlet wore a beautiful top knot with smoothed-down baby hairs.

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Golden Globe Waves

Zendaya kicked off 2017 with glossy waterfall waves at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards. We love this look because her smoothed-down middle part served as the perfect frame for her face and earrings.

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Choppy Blonde Bob

Zendaya doesn’t deviate from her natural hair color often, but when she does, it always looks fantastic. Her appearance at the Something New Fan Event at Black Tap is a perfect example with her choppy blonde bob. The loose waves take it up a notch as well.

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Slicked and Romantic Waves

Zendaya with slicked waves — DANIELE VENTURELLI / CONTRIBUTOR / GETTY IMAGES

When Zendaya hit the Dune premiere, she appeared with a glossy center-parted style that was romantic but modern (thanks to the glossy, wet-look twist). What can we say? The girl likes her waves.

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Modern Finger Waves

When she’s not sporting long, luscious waves, Zendaya hasn’t been afraid to sport some short ones. At a 2021 Dune screening, she wore a modern, more avant-garde version of the classic Betty Boop-esque finger waves.

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Air-Dried Waves

Zendaya with textured hair — POOL / GETTY IMAGES

Zendaya certainly knows how to slay a modern take on classic waves. Just check out the air-dried, full-of-texture look she wore at the Marie Claire Fresh Faces Party in 2016 if you need proof.

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Bombshell Blowout

Zendaya with a blowout — JIM SPELLMAN / STRINGE / GETTY IMAGES

When Zendaya attended the 2020 AAA Arts Awards, she completely channeled the theme of the night with an artful blowout. It paired perfectly with her minimalist ensemble.

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Side-Parted Low Bun

At the Ballon D’Or photocall at Theatre du Chatelet in 2021, Zendaya wore a sleek side-parted low bun. She made sure to sweep her tresses tightly so she could show off these dramatic statement hoop earrings.

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Sleek-But-Tousled Hair

Zendaya tousled hair — AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN / CONTRIBUTOR / GETTY IMAGES

Of course, Zendaya has graced countless red carpets throughout her career. But, she looked absolutely stunning with her sleek but lowkey tousled waves at the 2018 MTV Movie Awards.

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Low Ponytail With Volume

Zendaya looked fabulous in a low ponytail at the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. The style was laid back for the fun event.

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Au Naturel

Zendaya got in touch with her natural roots at the 2017 “Art Of The In-Between” Met Gala. Her stretched-out locks created a wispy and whimsical afro that stole the show.

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Curly Shag

When she was done donning hairstyles from the 1960s, Zendaya moved up a decade that summer and wore a full curly shag cut to the 2017 Teen Choice Awards. Her textured bangs and peekaboo brown highlights added a dimension we just adore!

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Afro Chic

It’s not every day that you see an old-school, spherical afro take over the red carpet. And Zendaya totally killed it at the 2017 InStyle Awards with this look.

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Voluminous Waves

Zendaya continued to play around with texture when she attended Glamour’s Women of The Year Awards. Her thick natural curls had the right amount of definition and volume without looking fussy.

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Blonde Pixie

Zendaya pulled up to the British Fashion Council Fashion Awards with an icy platinum do. It looked especially striking with her diamond studs.

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Long Braid

Best Celebrity Beauty Looks: Zendaya With Plaited Hair — GETTY IMAGES

For a simple and sassy look, Zendaya made sure to whip her hair back and forth at the 2018 Beautycon Festival in New York City. It paired well with her statement hoops, of course.

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Auburn Bob

Zendaya turned up the heat with a warm cinnamon bob at the 2018 “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination” Met Gala. This wavy crop looked amazing with her micro fringe.

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Side-Swept Waves

At the 2019 Harper’s Bazaar ICONS event, Zendaya swept her hair to the side for a sultry style. Her loose beachy waves look phenomenal with the suit blazer and tie.

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Burgundy Body Wave

Zendaya made sure to smooth down her tresses when she attended the 2019 HBO Post Emmy Awards Reception. Her burgundy hue paired beautifully with this ultra-loose body wave.

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Box Braids

Zendaya kicked off 2020 with a killer box braid install when she attended the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards. Her lightly smoothed-down baby hairs added a lovely touch.

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Chic Mullet

Zendaya toasted coconut mullet — JASON MERRITT/TERM / STAFF/GETTY IMAGES

Leave it to Zendaya to make a mullet look chic. The rounded bangs help to keep the look fresh while choppy ends keep it from looking too serious.

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Elegant Pageboy

Zendaya pageboy — AMANDA EDWARDS / GETTY IMAGES

This elegant take on the classic pageboy sees longer sideburns and wispy bangs. It’s a really flattering look on fine hair, as it makes hair appear to have more volume.

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Blonde Pixie With Bangs

Zendaya textured pixie — ALLEN BEREZOVSKY / GETTY IMAGES

This blonde pixie is pure 1990s Halle Berry, in the best way. Air-drying and applying a texture spray can help achieve a similar look. Note that this style works especially well on bangs that graze the eyebrows.

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Wet Look

We love a wet look hairstyle and it couldn’t be easier to replicate at home. Start on damp hair that’s been freshly combed, then mix together a gel and a cream—we like Oribe Gel Sérum ($63) and Amika Supernova Moisture and Shine Cream ($26)—and distribute it to ends. Next, comb again with a wide-tooth comb, and lightly blow-dry to set.

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Bubble Flip

In May 2017, Zendaya got a little groovy with a voluminous bubble flip haircut. Pairing the look with a cat-eye and green ensemble was a perfect way to complete the retro style.

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