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Home • Hair

Celeb Looks: Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever

Since bursting on the scene on season three of “America’s Next Top Model,” the Yale alumna has appeared in a host of movies, including Lee Daniels’ "The Butler" and "Whitney". These days the natural diva can be seen sporting gorgeous faux locs. Here, we share her favorite looks.
By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
2006: Up and Away

At the premiere of ‘Take The Lead,’ YaYa twisted her tresses up in the back for an elegant upsweep.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
02
2007: Hat Trick

At the launch for the StoryCorps Griot initiative in Harlem, YaYa tucked her coils into a cap for a funky-cool look.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
03
2007: Coily Cues

At the Sebastian International Film Festival, Dacosta piled her curls on top of her head, letting them spill over one eye. So chic!

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
04
2007: Side to Side

At an event in NYC, YaYa sported a sleek side-chignon.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
05
2008: Sex Kitten

At the 2008 Emmy Awards, YaYa let her freedom hair fly with this loose, impossibly sexy ’do.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
06
2008: Sleek Chic

Yaya slicked her hair back into a low bun at the ‘Miracle at St. Anna’ premiere.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
07
2008: Cool Customer

At the premiere party for ‘Full Grown Men,’ YaYa rocked a low bun topped with a super-cool men’s hat.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
08
2009: Guest Star

During a scene in ‘Ugly Betty,’ YaYa sported a smooth blowout pinned back at the nape of her neck.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
09
2009: Pretty Pompadour

At the opening night of ‘August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come And Gone,’ DaCosta sported this beyond elegant pompadour. Perfect for evening!

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
10
2009: Tying the Knot

YaYa rocked a sophisticated, woven updo at the NAACP Image Awards.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
11
2010: Knot Today

At the 9th Annual InStyle Summer Soiree, Yaya parted her hair down the middle, sweeping it back in a casual knot.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
12
2010: High Times

YaYa rocked a sky-high pompadour chignon at the 7th Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
13
2010: Beautiful Blowout

YaYa dazzled all with this high-drama blowout at a Montblanc event in New York City.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
14
2010: Curly Cue

YaYa sported a tumble of every-which-way spirals at US Weekly’s 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers event.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
15
2010: Cute Coils

At the premiere of ‘The Break of Noon,’ YaYa pinned her coily tresses back behind one ear for an asymmetric look.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
16
2010: Rockin’ Ringlets

YaYa sported a mass of adorable ringlets at the premiere of ‘The Extra Man.’

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
17
2010: The Eyes Have It

At the premiere of ‘TRON: Legacy,’ DaCosta let her eyes do the talking with this Evita-inspired bun.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
18
2010: Hot Stuff

At the 2011 Shakespeare In The Park Gala, YaYa turned heads with her voluminous, smoking-hot ’do.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
19
2010: Smooth Moves

We love her curls, but YaYa looks just as stunning with a soft, smooth, subtly waved blowout!

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
20
2011: Soft Touch

YaYa rocked soft waves tucked behind one ear at the ‘Vidal Sassoon The Movie.’

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
21
2012: Sporty ‘Fro

Yaya attends the Women For Women International Gala at Lincoln Center with big, bouncy curls.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
Getty Images
22
2013: Perfect Pompadour

Yaya gives a modern-day on the classic pompadour at Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” New York Premiere.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
Getty Images
23
2014: Side Curls

Yaya DaCosta sports her perfect curls to the left side of her face the the “Fed Up” New York Premiere.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
Getty Images
24
2015: Low Maintenence

Yaya sported a sleek, no-fuss, low ponytail during the Lifetime Network sponsored breakfast for Whitney.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
25
2015: Top Knot

Yaya stepped on the scene in a gorgeous top knot for the world premiere of Lifetime’s Whitney.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever
Valerie Macon/Getty Images
26
2015: Fab Faux Locs

Yaya rocked a pretty faux loc updo to the the American Ballet Theatre’s 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Spring Gala.

Yaya Da Costa's 26 Hottest Hairstyles Ever