Jennifer Lopez, aka J.Lo, Jenny from the Block (what do you want to call her?) has been killing the game for two decades. From Fly Girl on In Living Color to reigning supreme as one of the most ubiquitous pop culture icons, Lopez has never failed to impress us, whether it's with her daredevil fashion choices or, of course, ever-changing hairstyles. Whether she's hitting a red carpet or taking center stage, J.Lo's hair has become a dynamic part of the changing landscapes of her career, as if it too had its very own life.
Jennifer's Natural Hair: The Path to an Iconic Style
Before we get to all the glam and glitz of her most famous hairstyles, just take a minute and appreciate Jennifer's hair in its natural state. Lopez was endowed with naturally thick, curly locks that scream volume. Since then, she's continued to celebrate said texture in various ways: from loose, bouncy curls to slicked-back buns showing off her natural beauty. For many of her fans, seeing J.Lo rock her curls is relatable and an inspiration; it's proof that embracing your natural hair is just as powerful as any styled look.
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1. The Iconic Grammy Look: Green Dress Half-Up Hairstyle
Okay, let's go back in time to one of the most iconic moments to ever hit the red carpet: the 2000 Grammy Awards. We all remember THE dress-that daring, plunging green Versace gown that dropped jaws worldwide. But how about its equally iconic hairstyle? J.Lo smartly opted to keep things simple with a half-up, half-down style that showed the dress is truly the star. Understated yet oh-so-elegant, soft waves cascaded down her back. It was all about the balance, complementing the dress while making it sexy.
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2. The Slicked-Back Chignon: Perfect for Formal Affairs
Jump to J.Lo at the 75th Annual Academy Awards, sleek with a slicked-back chignon that sizzled in sophistication. Perfectly on cue, this hairstyle moved hand in hand with the resurgence of the middle part-part trend and is fitting for weddings and other formal events. This is chic, classy, and looks good at any moment in time.
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3. Mature Elegance: Slight Waves with Center-Split Bangs
Jennifer Lopez knows how to make a basic look pop, with the great subtlety of her long, slightly waved tresses. It's mature yet playful, subtle, yet texturized with a hint of wave. Her center-split long curtain bangs are the finishing touch for that added dose of sophistication.
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4. Voluminous Curls: The 74th Annual Academy Awards
At the 74th Annual Academy Awards, J.Lo stepped onto the red carpet with a head full of ultra-volumized curls. Everything about this look was drama and volume - from large, bouncy curls that framed her face.
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5. The Grammy Hat Moment: The Stylish Solution for Wash Day
J.Lo proved that a hat paired with an evening gown could be a fashion moment unto its own at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. This look is perfect when you want to cover up your roots, or whenever you want a break from the usual. The undone feel of this chic look is ideal for any old wash day, or just for any occasion that demands some quick styling magic.
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6. The Layered Blowout: Timeless J.Lo Glamour
One of her most classic looks, on the 2015 Billboard Music Awards red carpet, J.Lo was promoting a layered blowout. This hair is pure Jen Lopez-long, flowy, and with great body. The layers add some movement and dimension to this look, while the blowout leaves it looking glossy and polished. Whether it's fringe, longer, or even blonder, this look is undeniably Jennifer Lopez and has been for years a real favorite among fans.
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7. Soft Boho Updo: Curtain Bangs Perfection
Bring versatility with this soft, boho updo, courtesy of J.Lo - romantic yet relaxed. Perfect to emphasize curtain bangs, this involves pulling back the hair at the back while allowing those face-framing strands to do their thing. For a more deliberate look, start styling from the front of your face back; this creates a more cohesive, more intentional updo. And it works on everything from casual outings to more casual formal events.
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8. Effortless Glam: Understated Style for Everyday Elegance
Not all red carpet looks need to go overboard, and J.Lo most certainly knows how to keep it chic even with the most minimal of styles. Consider, for example, the quick and easy updo she donned on the red carpet at the world premiere of Second Act. Ideal for running errands or for a laid-back day at work, this updo nevertheless doesn't lack anything in terms of being red carpet-worthy in every way. This casual updo can be pulled together in a matter of minutes with just a couple of pins and a little texturizing spray.
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9. The Dramatic Long Ponytail: Curls for Days
At the CFDA Fashion Awards, J.Lo turned heads with this über-glamorous dramatic long ponytail. What got this ponytail unique is big curls at the end that add a romantic vibe to the sleek, straight style.
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10. Ultra-High Ponytail: High Energy, High Fashion
J.Lo.'s ultrahigh ponytail is one of those looks that never go out of style. All about height and energy, whether pulled back into a whole or half ponytail, with straightened hair, pull all or just the crown back into an ultrahigh ponytail for a youthful yet fierce look. This is just one of those styles that works as well for a night out as it does for a casual day look.
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11. Goddess Vibes: Braided Updo at the Golden Globes
For the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards, J.Lo was serving serious goddess realness with this braided updo. She had a bun created with her hair with some braided clip-ins wrapped around the bun to add some volume and texture. The result is a regal, detailed updo that sure turned heads.
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12 Natural Curls Shine: Loose Topknot at the LAFCA Awards
Jennifer knows exactly how to let those natural curls shine, as she did at the 2020 LAFCA Awards in Los Angeles. Here, she curled her hair and then pulled it into a loose topknot, freeing some face-framing curls. In this case, this kind of hairstyle is just perfect since it allows showcasing natural curls in a very formal setting without stripping them of their texture and bounce.
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13. Sleek Chignon: How to Get Volume and Sleekness Simultaneously
At the 2020 Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, J.Lo pulled off a sleek chignon - full-bodied and oh-so-sophisticated. This might take some clip-ins or even a sock bun to get it voluminous, but trust us, it's so worth it for such an exemplary updo-good for any kind of formal occasion.
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14. The Wet-Look Lob: Flipped-Out Perfection
This wet-look, flipped-out iteration she debuted at the 2020 American Music Awards takes the lob to new levels of glamour. It’s easy to do and looks effortlessly cool.
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15. Retro Waves: A Blast from Classic Glamour
J.Lo pinned up a throwback of classic glamour on the red carpet for us all to envy at the 79th Annual Academy Awards. The base is teased for volume and flipped-out ends grazing the shoulders look very classy and glamour.
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16. Short and Curled: A Breath of Fresh Air at the Tony Awards
Short hair, don't care! At the 69th Annual Tony Awards, Jennifer was rocking this short curled hairstyle that is so fresh yet so glamorous. This hairstyle just goes to prove that for making a statement, you do not need long hair. It is very easy to style using a curling iron and may be finished off with a little hairspray just for hold.
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17. Layered Spirals: Bringing Back the 80s
Jennifer Lopez did the 80s justice with her spirals, complete with oodles of added body and movement to amplify her natural curls. This look is all about embracing natural texture while adding a bit of retro flair. The key to this style is volume, so don't be afraid to go big.
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18. Over-the-Top Ponytail: Volume and Drama for Days
J.Lo loves her a good dramatic ponytail, and this über-over-the-top version is no different. Volume, length, and curl - this pony's all about the drama.
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19. Glamorous Updo: Jeweled Headband at the Dolce & Gabanna Show
J.Lo dolled up with an exquisite updo adorned with a jeweled headband on the runway of a Dolce & Gabanna fashion show in Milan. Loose tendrils that fringed the face softened this otherwise intricate look. This is such a beautiful hairstyle to add class to any outfit.
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20. Extra-Long Extensions: For Added Drama
Ultra-long extensions are one of Jennifer's go-to ways to bring drama to her look. Adding not only extra inches in length, these extensions also lend her hair a lighter, less heavy texture with a slight wave to display the dimensional color. All about adding length and volume for that extra oomph.
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21. Half-Up, Half-Down Pigtails: A Grown-Up Take on a Childhood Classic
Jennifer Lopez isn't above having a little fun with her hair, as evidenced with these half-up, half-down pigtails. It's the grown-up take on the childhood style, adding bounce and loose waves throughout the bottom for a sophisticated and chic finish.
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22. Ballerina Bun with Braids: Bringing Modernity to a Classic
A ballerina bun is so classic, but thanks to J.Lo, adding braids modernized it. To get this look, you pull your hair high and tight into a ponytail, then do two or three little braids at the end of your hair. You then wrap those braids around the elastic and secure for a both elegant yet current appeal.
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23. Caramel and Honey: Face-Framing Curls
Jennifer's caramel locks looked absolutely stunning brushed out and framing her face, kicking in just below the eye line. This look was all about volume and bounce, so a round brush and a blow dryer are going to be your best friends if you want to pull off this style.
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24. Glossy Curls: The Ultimate Hair Accessory
You’d think the hat would be the main attention-grabber of this look? Wrong! Those glossy bronde curls absolutely stole the show. These curls melt down just about as they pool exquisitely around her shoulders - a proof that sometimes your hair is your best accessory.
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25. Soft Era: Cascading Half-Up Style with Curtain Bangs
We are obsessed with J.Lo's soft era lately, but most especially, this cascading half-up style with the most perfectly layered curtain bangs really seals the deal. This look is all about softness and romance, with the layers adding depth and dimension to the overall style.
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26. Glamorous Lob: Sweeping Side Part and Loose Curls
Does this gorgeous lob get any more glam? The sweeping side part, loose curls. it's a masterclass in romance and elegance in one go. So simple, yet oh so sophisticated, the look of this hairstyle is suitable for anything.
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27. Piecey Bob: A Nod to 90s
J.Lo sent jaws dropping at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show in her ultra-chic, piecey bob. A refreshing departure from her usual waves, this delivered a hit of nostalgia that we didn't even know we were craving.
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28. Tousled Messy Bun: The Hair Dream of Effortlessness
Now officially decreed timeless - with J.Lo as the official ambassador, might we add this tousled take, replete with swooping fringe, is what effortless hair dreams are made of. It works just as well for a night out as it does for a casual day look.
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29. Textured Bedhead Topknot: Giving the Humble Hairdo a Promotion
J.Lo has made it her mission to take the humble topknot to the most formal heights. This full-of-texture version works in concert with a heavily beaded gown, never fighting its grandeur. It is, in fact, the very definition of how a simple style is taken all the way to red carpet status.
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Jennifer Lopez has never been one to shy away from a hair change, and this timeline of her locks is proof she's a versatile and fearless artist and style icon. From embracing her natural curls to rocking sleek chignons and making statements with ultra-long extensions, J.Lo keeps setting trends and inspiring us all. Although there are so many iconic looks to choose from, one thing is crystal clear: when it comes to hair, Jennifer Lopez always takes things to the next level.
by Jane Minkoff
September 03, 2024
