As an actress and model herself, Jane has embodied diverse roles and styles while fearlessly experimenting with an array of haircuts and colors. Her journey from being in front of the lens to behind the scenes as a makeup artist and hairstylist has enriched her understanding of style and beauty. Armed with this experience and coupled with a journalism degree, Jane now thrives as a writer at the Right Hairstyles. Outside her editorial pursuits, Jane revels in expressing her creativity through writing, makeup artistry, fashion styling, and immersing herself in the worlds of cinema and literature.
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Explore Nicole Kidman’s 22 iconic hairstyles, from fiery red curls to elegant blonde waves.
Nicole Kidman is undoubtedly one of the most versatile actresses and her hair changes just as drastically as her roles. Over the years, Kidman has tried everything from naturally wild red curls to sleek blonde bobs. Whether she’s playing a Victorian beauty or a modern-day fashionista, Nicole’s hairstyles tell a story of fearless evolution. Following are 21 of her most iconic looks, beginning with her natural locks and journeying through the many stunning transformations that followed.
One really can’t discuss Nicole Kidman’s hair without at least mentioning her naturally red, curly locks. Long before the polished waves and sleek straight looks were Kidman’s wild, voluminous curls. This was the style that stole the spotlight in her early roles, such as Dead Calm and Days of Thunder. Her signature red ringlets captured a sense of freedom and authenticity, oozing warmth and boldness all at once. Whereas the latter stylistic variants are neatly organized, this wild and unruly look is quintessential to the early part of Kidman’s career.
In Far and Away, Nicole’s red curls had been somewhat reined in, yet voluminous in texture. An auburn shade gave her an entirely romantic and earthly look. The waves cascaded down her back, fitting the period costumes and her onscreen romance with Tom Cruise. Merging her natural color with a more finished feel lent grace to her unruly curls.
As Kidman progressed into the early 90s, she did a full-on with an even more fiery copper red, usually worn in ringlets. This was definitely the period when her signature bouncing, shoulder-length curls seemed to define her early Hollywood persona. Be it in movie premieres or during interviews, the ringlets stole the show, avowing confidence and warmth – much like her career at that time.
By the late 90s, Nicole was well and truly on the golden blonde trend, and during The Peacemaker press tour, we saw one of her first transitions into this lighter shade. Her golden blonde locks were straight, a huge contrast from the naturally curly texture. Sleek and smooth, the tresses signified a transition into a more refined, Hollywood glam version of herself.
In Moulin Rouge, Kidman sported a head of auburn hair often styled into classic, polished updos. It was that certain regal quality added to the whimsical, over-the-top aesthetic of the movie. With her hair neatly swept back and with loose tendrils framing her face, Kidman’s updo was the perfect combination of classic glamour and soft romance.
In the early 2000s, Nicole Kidman began to take on soft blonde waves that carried an air of refinement, much like Old Hollywood. This was an example of subtle elegance: her perfectly sculpted waves cascaded down with relaxed softness. It felt effortlessly luxurious and rapidly turned into one of her trademark red carpet looks.
Nicole surprised the audience by donning an elegant blonde bob with bangs. A shoulder-length cut parted at the side looked really flattering. It was the icing on the cake with that creamy blonde color that made it head-turning and trendsetting.
The farther Nicole went into the blonde evolution, the sleeker and straighter the style became – tht’s how she stepped onto the red carpet throughout the 2000s. Her poker-straight look along with her blonde hue gave her a modern, chic appeal. And straightened locks allowed her beauty to show through with much ease, we must say.
In slight deviation from more structured styles, Nicole wore loose, tousled waves that added a relaxed and beachy feel to her blonde hair. Many times, the waves were complemented with subtle highlights that will result in a sun-kissed glow. This can be seen as undone and carefree, opposed to her many polished hairstyles.
Nicole briefly tried Bardot bangs in the mid-2000s that rounded out her golden blonde hair and made it all playful. The fringe and blowout styling softened her features and became a fun, light-hearted style we all love.
Kidman returned to her roots with a roller-set version of her natural curls. These soft, voluminous waves gave her such a whimsical and dreamy look while nodding back to her past, all the while keeping things classy and refined. Root shadow helped honey blonde curls pop.
Sleek and powerful, the slicked-back high ponytail became one of Kidman’s go-to looks for more modern and daring red carpet appearances. Her blonde hair, pulled taut and slicked, exuded confidence and sharpness. This is a perfect look for showcasing her stunning face features and couture outfits.
At the Academy Awards, Nicole wowed with those strawberry blonde waves and expertly sculpted root lift. The shade was a real success that really worked well with her pale skin, and her waves were perfectly styled to perfection for a blast of volume and glamour.
More often than not, the side-swept hairstyle made her blonde hair a little more dramatic. The loose hair which fell right over the shoulder made her look like an aristocratic woman-greatly polished, and just perfect for any formal event.
For a time, Kidman went back to auburn hair color and opted for straight styling. This mid-length cut was stylish, yet subtle. Because it didn’t scream red-carpet fashion, neither did it overpower her overall look.
Somewhere along the lines of all her style makeovers, Nicole had sported a textured long bob or lob. Playful yet elegant, the shoulder-length cut featured soft waves, adding movement and texture to the look. It was, in some ways, the perfect marriage between sophistication and casual chic.
More recently, Kidman has gone even icier with a sleek platinum blonde look. Straight and glossy, this style has a modern, high-fashion edge that really puts a stamp on the evolution of her sense of style. A middle part and subtle face framing layers were both flattering and trendy.
Nicole’s auburn waves return in a cascade of long, flowing locks down her shoulders. It is timeless, really-making one imagine bygone times with a freshness contained within it. Adding that warm and inviting glow to her appearance in general makes for a striking effect.
While not too often, Nicole once tried a short hairdo – a pixie cut. A very spiky cut was edgy, but the actress carried it with poise and sophistication.
In a full-circle moment, Nicole went back to her natural curls and let them flow. The difference is this time they were done with more current products. that gave them a controlled, polished finish. It’s the ultimate blend of her natural beauty with a touch of modern style.
This look shows Nicole with signature long, blowout style swept to one side. The subtle highlighting adds depth and dimension to the blonde, making her hair look fuller and more voluminous. It accentuates the ageless appeal of her glowing personality.
The clean lines of the cut give an edgy touch to the bob, while the platinum blonde color gives it a sleek almost futuristic finish. A slight deviation of the hair towards one side gave it an asymmetric feel and added some volume to this usually straight and structured style.
Nicole Kidman’s hair history speaks volumes about her fearless sense of style and ability to reinvent herself time and time again. From wild, natural curls to sleek platinum blondes, she never stepped away from making bold changes. Whether channeling Old Hollywood glamour or embracing fresh, new trends, Kidman continues to inspire with every look that hits the red carpet.
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