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10 Iconic, Career-Changing Celebrity Haircuts

If you ever doubted the transformative powers of a haircut, look no further than the ten celebs below for proof of what a difference one can make. (You know, in case you’re itching for a change anytime soon.)

7 Celebrity Hair Transformations That Surprised Us This Year


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Victoria Beckham: Before

Before she was Victoria Beckham, internationally acclaimed fashion designer, she was a chart-topping pop star who went by the nickname "Posh."

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Victoria Beckham: After

This sharp, asymmetrical cut (also nicknamed the "Pob" or "Posh Bob") was a turning point in her evolution to fashion icon.

 

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Jennifer Hudson: Before

She first captured our attention as a contestant on American Idol with a sparkling grin and voluminous hair to match her incredible belt.

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Jennifer Hudson: After

Then, she came out with this sleek angled pixie in 2014, which has since become her signature style.

michelle williams hair before
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Michelle Williams: Before

Though her shoulder-grazing waves and cherubic cheeks were a winning combo on the Creek...

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Michelle Williams: After

Michelle Williams's soft, face-framing chop has inspired countless pixie cuts since 2010.

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Katie Holmes: Before

Speaking of the Creek, remember Joey Potter (sorry, we mean Katie Holmes) with her long, brown hair?

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Katie Holmes: After

Her sleek bob and bangs is still one of our favorite styles to date.

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Rooney Mara: Before

Did anyone else have to do a double-take to recognize who this was? (Is anyone still not entirely sure?)

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Rooney Mara: After

It’s none other than Rooney Mara, who reportedly had to cut, dye and shave parts of her hair to transform for her pivotal role in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

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Halle Berry: Before

To be clear, Halle Berry is one of those rare unicorns who manage to look stunning with any hairstyle.

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Halle Berry: After

But there’s something about her spiky pixie that stands out.

beyonce hair before
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Beyoncé: Before

Here’s Beyoncé in all of her flowing-haired goddess glory.

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Beyoncé: After

And here she is making a very strong case for a blunt, blonde bob.

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Taylor Swift: Before

There was a time when Tay Tay was just a curly-haired country singer crooning about her first heartbreaks and high school.

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Taylor Swift: After

Her music, along with her hair, has taken an edgier turn since.

rihanna hair before
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Rihanna: Before

It’s hard to recall Rihanna ever being this bubblegum pink popstar.

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Rihanna: After

But somewhere around the "Umbrella" (ella ella) era she started morphing into the style chameleon we know her as now.

reese witherspoon hair before
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Reese Witherspoon: Before

Reese Witherspoon was the ultimate girl next door with her Southern charm and sweet, face-framing tendrils.

reese witherspoon hair after
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Reese Witherspoon: After

Then she showed up on the red carpet with the best side-sweeping fringe we’ve ever seen (and made "breakup bangs" an actual thing following her split from Ryan Phillippe).



Jenny Jin Headshot Vertical 2023

Beauty Director

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director and is currently based in Los Angeles. Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine, she has become a human encyclopedia of...