Madonna's Hair
Madonna's Tried Every Hairstyle in the Book, but She Always Goes Back to This 1 Look
Image Source: Getty
For over 35 years, Madonna has been the reigning queen of pop (not to mention an actor, author, fashion designer, and director). The Golden Globe- and Grammy-winning artist has been pushing boundaries throughout her entire career, and along with her many hits, she's been famous for her ever-changing image. With each new record comes a brand-new Madonna. Who could forget the slip-dress-and-crucifix days that came with "Like a Prayer" or her dark and sultry makeover for "Frozen"?
As her music has evolved, Madonna has tried just about every hairstyle in the book, and while she almost always returns to blond curls in the end, she's dabbled with brunette hair, pixie cuts, retro waves, clip-in ponytails, and so much more. Most recently, she debuted a dramatic brunette makeover and perhaps the shortest cut we've seen on her to date. As we wait to see how long that new look will last, take a look back at Madonna's incredible hair evolution, from the '80s through to today.
A Fluffy Updo in 1983
Image Source: Everett Collection
Like a Virgin in 1984
Image Source: Everett Collection
Textured Waves in 1985
Image Source: Everett Collection
A Curly Updo in 1985
Image Source: Everett Collection
Crimped Curls in 1985
Image Source: Everett Collection
Slicked-Back Bangs in 1985
Image Source: Getty / Chris Walter
Going Brunette in 1985
Image Source: Getty / Kevin.Mazur/INACTIVE
Sideswept Curls in 1986
Image Source: Everett Collection
Bouffant Blonde in 1986
Image Source: Everett Collection
Blond Pixie in 1986
Image Source: Getty / Terry McGinnis
Peroxide Pixie in 1987
Image Source: Everett Collection
White Blond in 1987
Image Source: Everett Collection
Swept-Back Short Cut in 1987
Image Source: Everett Collection
Short Blond Curls in 1987
Image Source: Getty / Chris Walter
Wet and Wild in 1987
Image Source: Getty / KMazur
A Brunette Bob With Bangs in 1989
Image Source: Everett Collection
Tight and Light Curls in 1990
Image Source: Everett Collection
Spiral Curls in 1990
Image Source: Everett Collection
That Famous Ponytail in 1990
Image Source: Everett Collection
Getting Wiggy With It in 1990
Image Source: Getty / Kevin.Mazur/INACTIVE
Classic Curly Updo in 1991
Image Source: Everett Collection
Slicked Down in 1992
Image Source: Everett Collection
A Flicked-Out Brunette Bob in 1992
Image Source: Everett Collection
Brunette With a Scarf in 1992
Image Source: Everett Collection
Sideswept and Short in 1993
Image Source: Everett Collection
Big Curls in 1995
Image Source: Everett Collection
Half-Up in 1995
Image Source: Getty / Jeff Kravitz
A Side-Parted Updo in 1995
Image Source: Getty / Barry King
Slicked Back in 1996
Image Source: Everett Collection
Roller Set in 1996
Image Source: Everett Collection
1940s Waves in 1996
Image Source: Everett Collection
Lived-In Waves in 1996
Image Source: Getty / Steve Granitz
A Sleek Blowout in 1997
Image Source: Getty / Steve.Granitz/INACTIVE
Long With a Center Part in 1998
Image Source: Everett Collection
A Wavy Lob in 1998
Image Source: Getty / KMazur
Romantic Ringlets in 1998
Image Source: Getty / Steve Granitz
Sleek and Brunette in 1999
Image Source: Getty / KMazur
Dark Blond Curls in 2000
Image Source: Everett Collection
Straight Layers in 2001
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter
A Wavy Bob in 2002
Image Source: Everett Collection
Barrel Curls in 2002
Image Source: Everett Collection
Long and Sleek in 2003
Image Source: Getty / Carlo Allegri
A Chic Ponytail in 2003
Image Source: Getty / Jo Hale
Strawberry Blond Curls in 2003
Image Source: Getty / KMazur
Brunette Waves in 2003
Image Source: Getty / Stephen Lovekin
A Brunette Braid in 2003
Image Source: Getty / KMazur
Center-Parted and Soft in 2004
Image Source: Getty / Mike Marsland
Strawberry Blond Curls in 2004
Image Source: Getty / KMazur
'70s Flicks in 2005
Image Source: Getty / Niki Nikolova
Flipped-Out Bangs in 2006
Image Source: Getty / Jo Hale
Center-Parted Curls in 2006
Image Source: Getty / Dave Hogan
Short and Choppy in 2006
Image Source: Getty / Jun Sato
Straight and Flipped Out in 2006
Image Source: Getty / Steve Granitz
Voluminous Waves in 2007
Image Source: Getty / Evan Agostini
Straight Layers in 2007
Image Source: Getty / Stuart Wilson
A Curly Bob in 2007
Image Source: Getty / Michael Loccisano
Bright Blond and Curled in 2008
Image Source: Getty / Pascal Le Segretain
Big Curls in 2008
Image Source: Getty / Bryan Bedder
Golden Waves in 2008
Image Source: Getty / Brian Ach
Crimped Waves in 2008
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur
Top Hat and Waves in 2008
Image Source: Getty / C Flanigan
A Blond Clavicut in 2008
Image Source: Getty / Tony Barson Archive
Sideswept Waves in 2009
Image Source: Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Twisted Topknot in 2009
Image Source: Getty / Randy Brooke
Super Straight in 2011
Image Source: Getty / Pascal Le Segretain
Vintage Waves in 2011
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur
Long and Golden in 2012
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter
Sexy Waves in 2012
Image Source: Getty / Stephen Lovekin
'60s Volume in 2012
Image Source: Getty / Ilaria Vangi
A Mini Quiff in 2012
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter
A Short and Sharp Wig in 2013
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur
A Loose Updo in 2013
Image Source: Getty / Ian Gavan
Long and Luscious in 2014
Image Source: Getty / Jason Merritt
Under the Veil in 2015
Image Source: Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Superlong Waves in 2015
Image Source: Getty / Rabbani and Solimene Photography
Dark Roots in 2016
Image Source: Getty / Karwai Tang
Fluffy Waves in 2018
Image Source: Getty / David M. Benett
