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Home • Natural

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle

We know what you’re probably thinking: "a pompa what?!"
25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Getty Images
By Jennifer Ford · Updated October 26, 2020

The pompadour hairstyle is making a huge comeback. The most classic version of the style has been worn by men like Elvis Presley and Bruno Mars, while others have put their own twist on the standout look. Even Beyoncé rocked a variation of the style in her “Single Ladies” music video.

It’s typically fashioned with tapered sides and the middle portion of your hair swept up and back. However, the retro coiffure has taken a modern twist over time and we can’t get enough of the pompadour looks being worn by our favorite celebrities. From the red carpet to runway, this timeless do is literally perfect for any occasion and can be construed a number of ways to compliment the face.  

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Whether you have short hair, long hair, natural, straight or curly, the hairstyle is super achievable and universally flattering on everyone. For inspiration on how to rock this trendy do, click through the celeb looks we love in the gallery below.

01
Keke Palmer

Slay this extra dimensional version like the Scream Queens star. 

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Jeffrey Mayer
02
Taraji P. Henson

Sport a messy and perfectly imperfect version like Taraji.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Jason Kempin
03
Danielle Brooks

Complete the look with a braided fishtail like actress Danielle Brooks. 

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Jamie McCarthy
04
Ava Duvernay

Director Ava DuVernay proves that even girls with locs can slay this hairdo and look equals parts regal and classy.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Gilbert Carrasquillo
05
Teyonah Parris

Actress Teyonah Parris styled her natural strands into this fierce variation.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Prince Williams
06
Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union’s knotted Pompadour is everything!

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Jason LaVeris
07
Tamera Mowry

Even curly girls can get in on the trend. 

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Gabriel Olsen
08
Grace Gealey

Create a softer version like Empire actress Grace Gealey.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Jason LaVeris
09
Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita gives a quick lesson on how to effortlessly slay the look.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Robert Kamau
10
Jazmyn Simon

Keep it sweet and sassy like Jazmyn Simon.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
JB Lacroix
11
Janelle Monae

Ace pompadour hair goals like Janelle Monae.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Greg Doherty
12
Tyra Banks

Banks completed a nine-week program at Harvard Business School back in 2012, earning a certificate. She returned in 2014 for a non-degree certificate program while working on her beauty brand, Tyra Beauty.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Amanda Edwards
13
Queen Latifah

The icon celebrates her birthday March 18. 

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle

Amanda Edwards

14
Ta’Rhonda Jones

Creates a slicked back version like Empire actress Ta’Rhonda Jones.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Noam Galai
15
Fantasia Barrino

If you have short hair, take a cue from Fantasia.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Astrid Stawiarz
16
Regina King

Rock it sleek and chic like actress Regina King.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
David Crotty
17
Meagan Good

Don’t let goddess locs stop you from taking on the classic style in a new way. 

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Allen Berezovsky
18
MC Lyte

MC Lyte’s braided version is definitely something we can all pull off.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Leon Bennett/BET
19
Issa Rae

Create a twisted version like actress Issa Rae.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
David Livingston
20
Brandy

Even if you have rope twists, this style is achievable. Brandy’s pouf is goals.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Frederick M. Brown
21
Yara Shahidi

Pull your curly hair into this braided style, as seen on Yara Shahidi.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Frazer Harrison
22
Tamela Mann

Take a completely different approach with the hairdo like Tamela Mann’s brilliant blonde variation.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
John Shearer
23
Tichina Arnold

Nail it like actress Tichina Arnold.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Vivien Killilea
24
Tamron Hall

If you have shorter strands, try this chic variation, as seen on Tamron Hall.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Walter McBride
25
Imani Presley

Go blue and bold like singer Imani Pressley.

25 Celeb-Approved Ways To Rock A Poppin' Pompadour Hairstyle
Earl Gibson III
TOPICS:  Celebrity Hairstyles