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Home • Hair

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do

It's not uncommon for Rihanna to switch up her hair. In fact, in the past six months, the diva has worn more hairstyles than many of us would wear in six years. Let's take a look back at the evolution of the ultimate hair chameleon.
By Nicole Marie Melton · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
2005: Rising Star

On a visit to TRL, a fresh-faced Rihanna sported auburn curls with bangs and flat twists.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
02
2005: Tressed to Impress

At the MTV Video Music Awards, Rihanna stepped out in a ponytails with lush bangs and subtle highlights.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
03
2006: Taking Sides

Rihanna swept her long, lush curls over one shoulder at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
04
2006: Chic Chignon

During an appearance at Total Request Live, Rihanna pulled her sleek strands into a chic chignon.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
05
2007: Down For Anything

At the Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy party, Rihanna glowed in bone-straight, waist-length locks.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
06
2006: Sleek and Sexy

Rihanna let down her hair for a sexy and mature look at the 2006 Billboard Awards

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
07
2007: Signature Crop

Rihanna stepped on stage at Total Request Live in the asymmetrical bob hairstyle that would make her a household name.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
08
2007: Femme Fatale

Rihanna remixed her black bob by adding thick, eyebrow-grazing bangs at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
09
2008: Short Story

Rihanna chopped off even more of her hair, opting for a soft curls and shaven sides at a star-studded dinner party.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
10
2008: Cutting Edge

To light the Empire State Building in celebration of Cartier’s “Love Day,” Ri-Ri sported a bold spiky cropped cut

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
11
2008: Short and Sleek

At a pre-Grammy party, Rihanna slicked her shaven strands to the side, leaving a little height at the top.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
12
2008: Punk Pop Diva

Rihanna looked fierce at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in a smooth, short ’do complete with side-swept bangs.

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2009: It Takes Two

At an autograph signing in Berlin, Rihanna worked two-toned, eyebrow-grazing bangs.

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2009: Golden Hot

Rihanna added a dramatic, blunt-cut bang to her short hairstyle at a VEVO launch event.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
23
2009: Going for the Gold

At the American Music Awards, Rihanna premiered yet another tress switcheroo when she added a honey blonde bang to her jet black crop.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
24
2010: Pomp and Circumstance

At the 2010 Grammy Awards, Rihanna stunned onlookers with a golden, funky pompadour.

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2010: Totally Bangin’

At the Miu Miu Spring/Summer show during Paris Fashion Week, Ri-Ri switched up her look yet again with bright red strands in a low ponytail, leaving out full, side-sweeping bangs.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
32
2010: Red Alert

During a performance at the Rio Madrid Festival in Spain, Rihanna debuted her bright red, buzzed-on-the-sides crop. Within minutes, the world was chattering about her shocking new color!

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
33
2010: Cutting Edge

Performing at L.A.’s Staple Center, Rihanna flaunted a new ’do with longer, heavier bangs.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
34
2010: Primary Color

Rihanna hit Drake’s album release after-party sporting a painstakingly curled, fluffed, shoulder-length ’do.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
35
2010: All Tied Up

When Rihanna turned on the Christmas lights at London’s Westfield shopping center, she sported an artfully messy updo accented with a kooky, polka-dotted ribbon.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
36
2010: Feminine Chic

Rihanna sported an exaggerated bouffant ’do at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
37
2010: Fit for a Queen

During her perfomance at the awards, Rihanna topped off her ’60s-inspired updo with an ornate tiara.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
38
2010: Making the Braid

During an appearance on Italy’s “X Factor” TV show, Rihanna gathered her hair—now longer than ever—in an endless, deliberately messy fishtail braid.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
39
2010: Straight to the Point

On MTV’s “The Seven,” RiRi sported the longest, straightest, brightest red hair we’ve ever seen!

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
40
2010: Cascade of Curls

At the 2010 American Music Awards, Rihanna rocked a head full of super-sweet, Shirley Temple curls.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
41
2011: Going for the Bold

Rihanna went for high-drama with a fierce, frizzed-out wig at a pre-Grammy Brunch.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
42
2011: Crimson Delight

At the Grammy Awards, RiRi went for an elegant, sophisticated look with this smooth bob.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
43
2011: Pony Up

Rihanna sported an oversized, Sixties-inspired ponytail at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
44
2011: Short Cuts

At the Academy Of Country Music Awards, Rihanna sported a sleek, sexy pixie.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
45
2011: Up, Up and Away

We’re obsessed with the bouffant updo RiRi rocked at her Reb’l Fleur fragrance launch. So chic!

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46
2011: Prairie Princess

At the 2011 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rihanna turned heads in this regal, fire engine red side-plait.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
47
2011: Great Lengths

The songstress rocked waist-length mermaid waves at the ‘Nivea And Rihanna Celebrate 100 Years Of Skincare’ event in Paris.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
48
2011: What About Bob?

At the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, RiRi sported a chunky, Ann Margaret-inspired bob.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
49
2011: Retro Glamour

At a performance on ‘The Today Show,’ Rihanna rocked two rolled pin-curls at her hairline for a retro, wartime look.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
50
2011: Big Curls Rock

In concert, the Bahamian goddess rocked a full head of tightly coiled, cinnamon-hued ringlets.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
51
2011: Casual in Crimson

Hanging out in South Beach, Rihanna sported deep, burgundy-red strands with a long, eyelashing-grazing bang.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
52
2011: New Hue

At a fragrance launch for her ’Reb’l Fleur’ scent, Rihanna debuted this bodaciously high, lusciously curled, auburn ’do.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
53
2011: Curly Girl

Rihanna mesmerized the crowd with her sparkly, flawlessly highlighted bright brown curls.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
54
2011: Tie the Knot

At a shoot for her We Found Love video, Rihanna sported a messy knotted updo with a handkerchief headband.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
55
2011: Blonde Streak

Shopping in New York City, RiRi let down her gorgeous, sun-kissed waves and added a sexy red lip.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
56
2011: Easy Breezy

Out and about in Paris, Rihanna piled her blonde-streaked curls on top of her head for an easy breezy vibe.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
57
2011: Going Platinum

At the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball, Rihanna flaunted her brand-new, shockingly platinum bob.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
58
2012: Ride the Wave

At a pre-Grammy event, Rihanna showed off a head full of blonde waves.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
59
2012: Platinum Premiere

At the Grammy Awards, Rihanna turned heads in her bright blonde, Tina Turner-esque waves.

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60
2012: The Blonde and the Beautiful

At a promotional event for her film Battleship, Rihanna glowed in rich blonde tresses with soft curls.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
61
2012: Back to Black

At a press event for the film Battleship, Rihanna revisited her jet black hair color and style her strands in an edgy half-shaven ’do.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
62
2012: Edgy and Elegant

Rihanna arrived at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in an edgy, jet-black cropped coif.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
63
2014: Pink Matter

The bad gal was first seen with the wig while hanging with our BFF in our head, Melissa Forde, and then again at the NBA Playoff game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers. “Wiggin out!!” the 26-year-old also tweeted with a photo of she and Melissa. “We raided Nicki Minaj’s wig closet for the summer! Bad gals just wanna have fun!”

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
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2015: Red Hotness

She’s back! Rihanna returned to her firey red hair for the November issue of Vanity Fair.

Hairstyle File: Rihanna's Evolving 'Do
TOPICS:  Rihanna