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Home • Hair

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014

Our favorite hair chameleons were at it again this year. Flexing from short to long; wavy to straight, and just about everything in between, they kept us guessing what their next hair move would be. Here's a recap of the many ways celebs rocked their locks in 2014.  
By ESSENCE Beauty Editors · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Rihanna Dior RTW Fashion Show
Rihanna shows off a classic bob at the Dior autumn/winter 2014 show
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
PATRICK KOVARIK
02
Beyoncé at the 56th GRAMMY Awards

We love when Beyonce goes curly and wet. Get the tools to master her WOB look here.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
03
Kerry Washington at the 2014 Oscars

Kerry Washington looked romantic, yet sexy, in a half-up hairstyle with curls cascading down her strapless gown.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
04
Chanel’s Colors

Chanel Iman served desert sexy with colored hair at the Spotify Brunch in California.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for Soho House
05
Brandy’s Big Hair

Brandy Norwood proved that big hair pairs well with a beautiful smile while at the premiere of Open Road Films’ ‘A Haunted House 2’ at Regal Cinemas L.A.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
06
Rihanna Front Row at Lanvin
Rihanna accessorizes her choppy bob under a hat at Lanvin Fall/Winter 2014 fashion show
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Pascal Le Segretain / Staff
07
Lupita Nyong’o at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

Not many ladies can pull off a look with hair that’s similar to cat ears, but we were in love when Lupita hit the red carpet at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards with this bold haircut.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Lester Cohen/Getty Images for GLAAD
08
Tamron Hall’s High Glam

The beautiful and talented television personality turned up the glamour at the 2014 Smile Train Power Of A Smile Gala with her tappered ‘do. 

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
09
Rihanna w/ Bantu Knots
Rihanna wears bantu knots to the iHeartRadio Music Awards
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Clear Channel
10
Lady O at the White House Correspondent’s Gala

First Lady Michelle Obama looked ravishing at this year’s annual White House Correspondent’s Association Gala when she sported highlights in face-framing layers.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
11
Kelis in London

Kelis attended the Kopparberg Urban Forest in London, England with big curls cascading down her left shoulder.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
David M. Benett/Getty Images for Kopparberg
12
Rihanna Costume Institute Gala
Rihanna attends the ‘Charles James Beyond’ Costume Institute Gala
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
John Lamparski/Getty Images)
13
Goapele at the Rhythm & Soul Music Awards

Blonde and short is always a great look.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Tibrina Hobson/FilmMagic
14
Rihanna Dior Cruise Show 2015
Rihanna rocks a half up half down do at the Christian Dior Cruise Show 2015
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Christian Dior
15
Elle Varner at ‘The Knick’ Special Screening

Elle Varner nailed the perfect curly updo this summer.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
J. Countess/Getty Images
16
Rihanna Altuzarra Show
Rihanna attends the Altuzarra show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Paul Morigi/WireImage
17
Tracee Ellis Ross’ Curls

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross attended the Premiere of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 with perfect curls.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Jason Merritt/Getty Images for ELLE
18
Rihanna NYFW Hair
Rihanna attends the Edun fashion show duing Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Alo Ceballos/GC Images
19
Tika Sumpter at the American Black Film Festival

Tika Sumpter poses for a portrait at the 2014 American Black Film Festival with pulled back hair.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
J. Countess/Getty Images
20
Teyana’s Sleek Locs

Teyana Taylor attended the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards with long, sleek locs.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET
21
Rihanna CFDA Fashion Awards
Rihanna stuns in a sheer gown and glitzy head wrap at the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Randy Brooke/Getty Images
22
Gabrielle Union’s Crown and Glory

Gabrielle Union’s milkbraid updo made the actress appear as if she walked straight out of the old Hollywood glamour era.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Getty Images
23
Rihanna Straight & Choppy Hair
Rihanna rocks a straight and choppy do out and about in NYC.
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Alo Ceballos/GC Images
24
Lupita Nyong’o at the 2014 MET Gala

Inspired by Josephine Baker, hairstylist Ted Gibson created Lupita’s French roll to give her a “regal feel to it,” he said. “To make the look modern, I colored her hair in a purple hue to compliment the green feathers and stones in the dress.”

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Getty Images
25
Rihanna Big Curls
Rihanna spotted in New York City wearing thick framed glasses and a curly lob.
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
NCP/Star Max/Contributor
26
Kerry Washington at the 2014 Emmy Awards

Kerry debuted a new ombre hair color at the 2014 Emmy Awards that was the perfect compliment to her orange Prada dress.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Steve Granitz/Getty
27
Brandy at the Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Event

Brandy shut down the red carpet the the annual Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Event in L.A with a twisted updo tossed to the side.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Getty Images
28
Rihanna AMFAR Gala
Rihanna attends fifth annual amfAR gala.
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
29
Beyoncé at Coachella

Bey showed off her perfect curls while dancing on stage with Solange.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Getty Images
30
Estelle

Estelle arrived at the official pre-party for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards with polished curls that are both shinny and bouncy. We espically loved the blonde highlights in the front.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
David Becker/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty Images
31
Rihanna Rogue Man Launch
Rihanna launches her new fragrance Rogue Man
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Prince Williams/FilmMagic
32
Solange in Hong Kong

Solange showed off her mega-hair in Hong Kong for the grand opening of a new Hugo Boss store in Central Building, Hong Kong.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Jessica Hromas/Getty Images
33
Beyoncé in New York

Beyoncé sported her trademark cat eye and golden, wavy hair in New York last month.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Getty Images
34
Solange’s Big Day

“Dreaming of these flowers my sister put in my hair at dinner. One by one they bloomed in my afro, and stayed there until I danced them away,” said Solange about the flowers she wore on her wedding day.

Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Instagram
35
Rihanna MAC Cosmetics AIDS Fund
Rihanna rocks a sweet top knot at the MAC Cosmetics AIDS Fund event
Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2014
Steve Granitz / Contributor