Selena Gomez Hair Evolution: Every One Of Her Most Standout Hairstyles
From punky blue highlights to sleek, sophisticated updos.
Few can say they skipped past the ‘awkward teen phase’ of questionable make-up choices and embarrassing hair moments, but Selena Gomez is one of them. Journeying through a decades worth of TV episodes, music videos, red carpet appearances, and Instagram posts is far more inspiring than it is cringe-worthy. The big-bounce curly blow-dry I’m still trying to master? She’d perfected it back in 2010. Her lived-in caramel balayage and wispy bangs of 2016? I’m taking it to my hairdresser this month.
‘Selena has this amazing ability to switch effortlessly from one genre to another. She’s mastered retro waves, sleek, centre-parted lobs, ashy blondes, retro-inspired updos, supermodel lengths, full-coverage bangs… practically everything,’ notes Neale Rodger, style director at STIL Salon.
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Though the Rare Beauty founder has never strayed far from her chocolate tresses, she’s served up heaps of hairstyle inspiration since she arrived on TV screens in 2007, and each look is as covetable and copy-worthy today as it was at its conception. Whether it’s her chest-length natural curls in 2014, her blonde experiments in 2017 or the chic tousled lob she debuted just this week, where better to look than the Gomez archives when your brunette lengths are in need of a facelift?
Ahead, we’ve curated a timeline of Selena’s most iconic hair looks from her Wizards of Waverly Place days to now.
December 2024
Congratulations, Selena! We all know how important a crisp, understated mani is when we hear wedding bells, but Selena just reminded us to remember our 'do too.
Her baroque bob is fairly simple: it's a one-length, blunt bob cut, but it's the styling that sets it apart. Blown-out and flicked-in, its name derives from the elaborate charm of early 17th century art and architecture. 'Health and wealth signalling are two key themes in hair trends at the moment, and this luxurious yet modern look ticks both boxes very well,' says hair forecaster Tom Smith.
October 2024
Selena's shoulder-grazing long bob was debuted at the world premiere of new Disney spin-off show, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. With a singular loose wave, positioned skillfully beside her jaw to enhance and define her face shape, this lob screams elegance and sophistication.
May 2024
Selena's equestrian-style ponytail was a standout red-carpet moment at the Emilia Perez premiere, which took place at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival. Neatly slicked and elegantly perched at the crown of her head, this sleek updo is incredibly glamorous and compliments her off-the-shoulder gown perfectly.
December 2023
Looking to put a new-season twist on your monochrome tresses? Feather a honey blonde hue in and around the hair's money piece. It adds subtle dimension and feels different enough when you look in the mirror, without completely transforming your look. Selena demonstrates it to the class here.
March 2022
The French girl bob has never looked as chic. Enough Parisian charm and sultry, just-rolled-out-of-bed texture to last a lifetime. To recreate at home, lift the hair away from the face and mist a texturising spray into the roots. Or, roll out of bed.
September 2019
At this 2019 meet and greet in California, Selena proves that brunette balayage really can be subtle. Not a blonde strand in sight; instead her inky roots graduate into a mousy hazel-brown, adding depth without stark demarcation.
December 2017
Who remembers blondie Selena? Spotted out and about in London in 2017, Selena styled her newly-buttered lengths into a boho wave and wispy full-fringe. Brunettes, take notes: incorporating a root smudge is key to mask harsh regrowth if you're considering taking the plunge.
June 2016
The bangs that made us all want bangs. We're still obsessed with her wispy fringe and syrupy caramel balayage era.
May 2015
All aboard the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2016 in California, Selena benched her signature chestnut hue for this near-black shade. Loosely crimped to add natural texture: very 2015.
May 2013
Some may say Selena was ahead of her time with these copper-brown highlights. Playing to her hair's natural undertone, these ultra-warm strands instantly add depth and dimension without being too striking.
November 2011
For the 2011 American Music Awards, Selena tried an Old Hollywood curl on for size, paired with a swept side-parting and a finish so glossy it's reflecting light. Perhaps my favourite look of all.
June 2011
The 22nd Annual MuchMusic Video Awards in 2011 saw Selena sporting a tighter ringlet-style curl than she'd previously worn. To replicate this look, resist brushing your curls out once cooled and hairspray to set in place.
April 2010
The highly covetable blow-dry in question. In her element at the 2010 Wizards of Waverly Place Fashion Show, Selena's natural chocolate lengths are perfectly coiffed into a voluminous, bouncy curl. Her layers serve this style well, adding body and shape to give the appearance of thicker hair.
June 2009
In 2009, Selena debuts a rounded bob with a thin side-fringe and fine, golden highlights. This shapely crop would go on to become Selena's most returned-to hairstyle, experimenting with various fringes, lengths and textures to boot.
August 2008
The 2008 NCLR Alma Awards saw Selena gather her glossy espresso tresses into a loose bun, fit with a swooping side-fringe. Asymmetry was all the rage in 2008: think ponytails, fringes, plaits and buns all worn off-centre. Much cooler.
September 2007
Perhaps her most iconic and internet-famous hairstyle of all? This electric blue moment for the 2007 Teen Vogue Party, of course (cue the viral interview clip). A very 'Alex Russo' move, if there's ever been one.
Chloe Woodland is the Group Beauty Assistant at ELLE UK, Harper’s Bazaar UK, Red and Prima, working across print and digital features. She’s worked in the industry for two years, beginning her career writing for trade publications Hairdressers Journal and Professional Beauty. When she’s not demystifying the science behind growing your hair, gathering the best make-up products of all time or investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, you’ll most likely find her rewatching Modern Family for the thousandth time or trying to tame her two working cockers (who’ve never worked a day in their lives).
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