20 Times Lupita Nyong’o Had an Unforgettable Hair Moment on the Red Carpet
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If there's one thing Lupita Nyong'o is known for (besides her Oscar-winning acting), it's her willingness to try just about anything with her hair. Between intricate braids and fabulous ponytails, we can't help but stay inspired by all of her versatile hairstyles. But what we love most is that the actress has been quick to shut down the notion that straight, silky hair is the golden standard when it comes to "beautiful hair." Over the years, she's been extremely vocal about how proud she is to show off her natural hair texture, and she sure has the looks to back it up.
Scroll on to see 20 of the star's best hair moments — we dare you to pick just one favorite.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Elevated Topknot in 2020
The actress served looks at the 25th annual Critics' Choice Awards with her elevated (and accessorized) topknot that added both height and a boss-lady aura to her overall look.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Blunt Bangs in 2019
Blunt bangs have never looked as good as they do on Nyong'o at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 11th Annual Governors Awards.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Side Puff in 2019
Nyong'o arrived at her interview on Sunday Today With Willie Geist donning a voluminous side puff that gave us major '70s vibes.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Low Ballerina Bun in 2019
A sophisticated take on what we know as a playful ballerina bun, Nyong'o's avant-garde hair look for the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards was simple yet polished.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Ode to Color in 2019
Maybe it's a combination of the neon-yellow blazer with the multicolor headband, but we're digging Nyong'o's cool-girl look as she stepped out in Midtown.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Afro With Picks in 2019
The actress arrived at the 2019 Met Gala to make a statement: a towering 'do featuring five perfectly positioned golden picks paid homage to Black culture as well as the actress's natural hair texture.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Waterfall Side Braid in 2019
To promote Us, Nyong'o visited Un Nuevo Dia with waterfall side braids ready to steal the spotlight.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Exposed Alligator Pins in 2019
If there's anyone who could pull off exposed alligator pins and make it look chic, it's Nyongo'o at the 2019 SXSW premiere of Us.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Natural Bob in 2019
It's official. We're swooning over Nyong'o's entire look at the Us screening, from the bright-red contacts and vampy lips to the posh bob.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Front Top Knot in 2018
Whoever said topknots were reserved for the top of your head was clearly mistaken — Nyong'o's front puff stuns at the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Golden Braids in 2018
This list wouldn't be complete without this iconic look: perfectly executed braids with gold strands woven throughout.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Braid-Wrapped Pony in 2018
The feathered choker and metallic lips were the perfect complement to Nyong'o's feminine braid-wrapped short ponytail.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Looped-Up 'Do in 2018
At the Black Panther New York Fashion Week Showcase, Nyong'o donned a head-turning updo consisting of braided loops.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Split-Tied High Pony in 2018
Every side is Nyong'o's good side as she sports a split high-top ponytail that falls to either side of her head.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Modernized Mohawk in 2018
The star stopped for some autographs at Jimmy Kimmel Live with a biker-chic mohawk and black shades to match.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Sky-High Topknot in 2018
A more subtle version of her ultra-sky-high 2016 Met Gala topknot, Nyong'o managed to still look stunning even when she took it down a notch for the Los Angeles premiere of Black Panther.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Refined Low Bun in 2017
The actress kept things low and in charge as she arrived at the Calvin Klein Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Effortless Topknot in 2017
On the flip side, she donned a relaxed yet playful topknot here that had us wishing we could wake up like that.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Netted Pompadour in 2015
As she accessorized with a netted pompadour and futuristic earrings, Nyong'o proves yet again that she's a force to be reckoned with at the European Premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
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Lupita Nyong’o’s Triple-Braided Headband in 2015
Who needs one headband when you can have three, made all out of your own hair? Nyong'o made us do a double take with her pulled-back hairstyle at the 2015 Glamour Women of the Year Awards.