Just like her ever-changing style, Zendaya’s hair is always a head-turner.
Zendaya never fails to turn heads with her textured hair, from flaunting her natural curls to experimenting with bold colors. The Dune actress celebrates her heritage with proud displays of culturally-inspired styles like waist-length braids, box braids, and oversized cornrows.
She also rocks dramatic updos with equal ease, like the honey-colored highlights she rocked at the 2024 Met Gala (paired with a Maison Margiela by John Galliano gown) and the ’70s bouffant she wore during Dune’s London press tour.
Like any It Girl, Zendaya reinvents her look time and again. Her versatility is on full display on the red carpet, where these looks are both a portfolio and a masterclass in how to pull off any look.
Of course, the spotlight fell not only on the Euphoria star, but also on hairstylists like Ursula Stephens. The renowned celebrity hairstylist has created some of Zendaya’s most iconic hairstyles, including her dramatic blonde look at the summer’s Challenger press tour.
Regardless of the length, color, or texture, her hair always heralds a new chapter. Keep scrolling to see some of Zendaya’s best hairstyles through the years.
In 2015, Zendaya stepped out on the 87th Annual Academy Awards red carpet in an ivory Vivienne Westwood gown, but it was her hair that stole the spotlight (and the racial slur). Her hairstyle featured waist-length hair that was slicked back and parted at the side at her scalp.
Former E! reporter Giuliana Rancic made racist comments about the hairstyle during an episode of Fashion Police, saying, “I think she smells like patchouli oil… and marijuana.” Zendaya called the comments “ignorant” in an Instagram post at the time and spoke further about the matter in a 2021 cover interview with W magazine. “This is how change happens,” Zendaya said, referring to the Barbie dolls made by Mattel that paid tribute to the hairstyle.
In 2019, Zendaya kicked off her red era during press promotions ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home. In order to fully commit to the role of Mary Jane Watson (MJ), Zendaya changed her original brown hair to auburn. (Some speculated that she changed her hair color to play Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, but she confirmed in a tweet from X that it was actually a nod to the Spider-Man character.) She wore the color again at the 71st Primetime Primetime Primetime Emmys, in a look very similar to Poison Ivy.
At the 54th NAACP Image Awards, Zendaya wowed in classic pieces from Versace and Alaïa. She also got the internet talking about her love of the baroque bob. The trendy hairstyle evokes 17th-century opulence and Old Hollywood glamour with a modern twist. With its sculpted shapes and intricate waves, it’s a sophisticated take on the classic look. She’s been spotted wearing the look frequently this year, most recently on a trip to New York with boyfriend Tom Holland.
Zendaya is a lover of braids (in all styles). In 2020, she opted for knotless square braids, which she showed off at the 25th annual Critics’ Choice Awards in a viral Instagram post. For the 2021 CFDA Fashion Icon Award, she opted for giant ombré square braids. Keeping with her love of security, she attended the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere in Los Angeles with a loose cornrow cascading down her back.
In 2023, Zendaya made a stunning appearance at the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2024 Womenswear show at Paris Fashion Week with super long, super straight hair styled by Tai Simon. The waist-length hair was a standout that complemented the cream gown she wore. Her Rapunzel-like tresses have become her signature look, especially this year. In 2024, she paid tribute to one of Cher’s signature hairstyles with a headpiece when she attended her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Zendaya showed off her super straight micro bangs with a long fringe on each side that complemented her neat, smooth hair at the Schiaparelli Spring/Summer 2024 Haute Couture show. She continued the bangs look at the Fendi Spring/Summer 2024 Haute Couture show, paired with a low bun instead of letting her hair down.
In April, Zendaya debuted her bright blonde hair to kick off the “Challenger” promotional tour, and she clearly enjoyed the honey-colored look. We saw her with classic Hollywood waves, a high ponytail, long, jagged bangs, “wet” hair, and seductive waves.