35 Zendaya Hairstyles That Prove She’s a Beauty Icon

Before the big red carpets (and guidance from Law Roach, her stylist), Zendaya was making her mark on the Disney Channel. At 13-years-old, she kept things simple and sweet, adding loose curls to her natural ‘do.

By 2013, Zendaya was “shaking things up” professionally and style-wise. She switched up her look with layers on layers on layers and some curtain bangs to frame her face.

While making her foray into the music world (who can forget “Replay”?), we began to see a new side of the young star. During this time, Zendaya replaced her shoulder-length waves for long, sleek extensions.

2014 marked the first of many times we would see Zendaya experiment with her hair color. She made a memorable appearance at the MTV Movie Awards that year with peek-a-book highlights that were subtle, yet enhanced her natural hue.

Although she was still repping the Disney Channel, Zendaya was slowly breaking away from her childhood image by diving deeper into the world of beauty and fashion. While she kept her hair sleek and simple, she paired it with a bold red lip and striking brows, which lent an air of maturity (and made her look like she came straight off the runways).

Aside from experimenting with her hair color and length around this time, Zendaya also started trying out different wigs. One of our favorites? This chic wavy bob with full bangs.

By the end of 2014, Zendaya was already cementing herself as the person in Hollywood who was willing to take hair risks. See her super long, voluminous curls at the American Music Awards that year.

The wispy pixie Zendaya wore to the 57th Grammy Awards made it clear that she could rock just about any hair length and style.

Zendaya's gorgeous locs turned heads at the 87th Annual Academy Awards in more ways than one. This red carpet hairstyle sparked a bigger conversation on how we talk about and represent Black hair in mainstream media.

At Nickelodeon’s 28th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards, Z channeled her inner Cher. Add a smoky eye and collared necklace to that statement bob and you have a winner on the red carpet.

Zendaya’s half-up ‘do is elevated further with her tousled texture, slicked down edges and minimal makeup (which gives her mane the full attention it deserves).

Yup, Zendaya was rocking wet, textured waves way before it became a bonafide trend.

The swooped over bangs, barrel curls and silver jewelry all scream vintage beauty.

We love it when Zendaya experiments with her hair, but we’re also big fans of her natural curls, which are equally stunning on the red carpet as her other looks.

Zendaya is no stranger to a bob, but she still manages to change up the classic cut. At the Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiere, she kept things straight, sleek and slightly angled.

As seen above, bobs are a staple to Zendaya’s style. Adding choppy bangs and tousled waves make the cut even edgier than before.

Many of us would never dream of getting a bowl cut as an adult and yet, we reconsidered our stance once we saw this blunt cut on our girl. Plus, going for a dirty blonde shade elevated the schoolgirl style entirely.

And speaking of making an unconventional style look chic, take a look at the mullet she wore to the Grammy’s in 2016. The minute she stepped onto the red carpet that night, we knew that no one else was on her level.

While Zendaya was making waves in Hollywood, she was also rocking them…literally. The slicked down waves combined with her smokey eye gave off a sultry, ‘20s vibe.

Proof that you can never go wrong with a high ponytail moment.

Though Zendaya had attended the Met Gala before, 2017 was the year she turned heads and became the person to look out for at every big fashion event and red carpet thereafter. Her ‘70s ‘fro combined with her Dolce & Gabbana gown checked off the theme of 2017 (Red Kawakubo/Comme des Garçon-inspired) and then some.

At the Spider-Man: Homecoming premiere, the actress showed off her voluminous blow out and a custom hot pink gown to mark her feature film debut.

Zendaya’s shag cut is the reference pic we have stored in our hair inspo folder and return to over and over again.

The 3rd Annual InStyle Awards proved that Zendaya loves exploring chic looks from the ‘70s.

Yes, blondes do have more fun.

Zendaya returned to the 2018 Met Gala with an even better and bolder look than the previous year. She sported a textured chin-length fiery bob to match her custom Versace gown. Again, proving she can master any theme.

The Spider-Man star shut down any trolls who said they couldn’t connect with her turn as MJ because “she didn’t have the signature red hair” by attending a press junket with the exact auburn shade as her character. Take that, naysayers!

In 2019, her locks got a golden boost. At the Harper’s Bazaar ICONS event, her long and newly lightened curls popped against her all-gray suit.

We couldn’t stop talking about Zendaya’s Tom Ford metallic breastplate at the Critics’ Choice Awards, but we also fell in love with her box braids.

This tousled look blends a bit of glam with bohemian, beach vibes in a way we didn’t think possible.

This ‘60s hairstyle was all the rage in 2021 thanks to TikTok, so it’s no surprise that Zendaya showed up to the Space Jam: A New Legacy premiere sporting the look (while giving a nod to her character, Lola Bunny).

All the looks Zendaya wore during the press junket for Dune were great, but these shoulder-length curls (with perfectly carved bangs) is our favorite.

It's no secret that Zendaya loves her protective styles and the knotless braids she wore to the CFDA Awards were an instant fav. The dramatic length adds a stylish flair that’s fitting for someone who was being awarded “Fashion Icon of the Year.”

Somehow Zendaya finds a way to top herself at every Spider-Man premiere. At the No Way Home premiere in Los Angeles, she wore waist-length cornrows that paired brilliantly with her web-inspired gown.

The Euphoria star kept things glam at the season two premiere of the hit show by rocking an auburn updo that we’re pretty sure Rue would never be caught wearing.