Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks

Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks

From the Grammys, to music videos, to the Met Gala, the “Umbrella” star always brings new hairstyles to the fashion world.

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Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Arturo Holmes (Getty Images)

Rihanna once again shocked the world with a new look when she debuted her new waist-length blonde hair. She’s one of those rare people who can make literally any style work. From the moment she came on the scene, she’s been keeping us on our toes with her looks, so we’re taking a trip down memory lane with some of our favorites.

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2005: “Pon de Replay”

2005: “Pon de Replay”

Rihanna - Pon de Replay (Internet Version)

Her first hit introduced to the sweet “girl next door” singer. She had the 2000s pop star look with a crop top, jeans and long hair with a few curls and waves. Nothing adventurous in her first outing, but enough to make us take notice.

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2006: “SOS”

2006: “SOS”

Rihanna - SOS (Official Music Video)

Though she still had the long hair, the “SOS” video presented us with a much more mature Rih. One who openly embraced her sex symbol status.

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2007: “Umbrella”

2007: “Umbrella”

Rihanna - Umbrella (Orange Version) (Official Music Video) ft. JAY-Z

One of her biggest hits brought us RiRi’s first major change. The “Umbrella” video gave us the short bob we were all envious of.

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2008: BET Awards

2008: BET Awards

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Frazer Harrison (Getty Images)

She surprised us once again with her first foray into a pixie cut. It showed off her perfect features and became one of her signature looks.

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2009: Met Gala

2009: Met Gala

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Larry Busacca (Getty Images)

Over the years Rihanna’s has given us multiple unforgettable Met Gala looks. Her most underrated came in 2009 with her short hair and glam tuxedo.

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2009: “Hard” (feat Jeezy)

2009: “Hard” (feat Jeezy)

Rihanna - Hard ft. Jeezy

“That Rihanna reign just won’t let up.” We got our first glimpse at a blonde Rih in the “Hard” video, where she delivered Mad Max realness.

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2011: 53rd Annual Grammy Awards

2011: 53rd Annual Grammy Awards

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Jason Merritt (Getty Images)

The red bob she rocked at the 2011 Grammys showed us all she was really entering her world domination era.

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2012: 54th Annual Grammy Awards

2012: 54th Annual Grammy Awards

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Jason Merritt (Getty Images)

Her curly short ‘do definitely said blonde bombshell, who also happens to be a badass boss.

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2013: American Music Awards

2013: American Music Awards

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Jason Merritt (Getty Images)

She returned to a pixie cut, but wore it bone straight giving off simple, uncomplicated beauty vibes.

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2014: Met Gala

2014: Met Gala

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Neilson Barnard (Getty Images)

This gorgeous updo really highlights how statuesque the “Diamonds” singer is.

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2014: CFDA Fashion Awards

2014: CFDA Fashion Awards

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris (Getty Images)

Yes, technically there’s not a hair look to showcase here. But we couldn’t celebrate Rih’s best looks without highlighting this stunning headwrap.

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2015: RiRi By Rihanna Fragrance Unveiling

2015: RiRi By Rihanna Fragrance Unveiling

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris (Getty Images)

What’s so gorgeous about these reddish brown upswept curls is how perfectly the color matches her skin tone. It’s so brilliant.

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2017: Met Gala

2017: Met Gala

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris (Getty Images)

When you have an attention grabbing gown like this, the hair can sometimes be an afterthouht. However, the Barbadian superstar manages to bring a style that’s simultaneously simple and captivating.

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2018: Ocean’s 8 Premiere

2018: Ocean’s 8 Premiere

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Jamie McCarthy (Getty Images)

She entered her movie star era with old Hollywood glamour at the red carpet for the premiere of Ocean’s 8.

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2019: 5th Annual Diamond Ball

2019: 5th Annual Diamond Ball

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Diamond Ball (Getty Images)

There’s just something interesting about this sleek, dark look. You can’t stop staring at it.

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2020: 51st NAACP Image Awards

2020: 51st NAACP Image Awards

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Rich Fury (Getty Images)

The braids bring an island authenticity to her awards show glam.

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2022: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Premiere

2022: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Premiere

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney (Getty Images)

For her first major red carpet after having her son, RZA, Rihanna went for full pin-up glam with gorgeous waves.

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2023: Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

2023: Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

Image for article titled Red Carpet Revolutionary: Rihanna’s Best Hair Looks
Photo: Gregory Shamus (Getty Images)

Rihanna returned to live performing with this Janet Jackson-style ponytail.

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2023: Rih Goes Blonde

2023: Rih Goes Blonde

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The star’s new long blonde hair marks her first major change in a few years. Once again, she makes every style work, leading fans to wonder where she’ll go next.

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