The Biggest Celebrity Hair Transformations of 2022
2022: The year Kendall Jenner went ginger, Doja Cat got a buzz cut and Billie Eilish went back to black.
A lot can change about a person in a year. And when you spend that year as a celebrity in the spotlight, major hair transformations or buzzy celebrity hairstyles 2022 never go unnoticed. With the instantaneous nature of social media, paparazzi sightings and photographer-packed red carpet events, how could it?
Based on the hair makeovers we spotted on celebrities in 2022, the general consensus is that bangs are back on trend, dramatic dye jobs have mega-shock value, and cropped haircuts are cool. But don’t just take our word for it — look to some of 2022’s buzziest babes, from Emily in Paris star Lily Collins and her Jane Birkin-fringe to newly blonde Bella Hadid, for the biggest celebrity hair transformations of the year.
Because we all need a little hair inspo for 2023 — new year, new you and all that, right?
Lily Collins made 2022 the year of Birkin bangs
Though we first caught a glimpse of Lily Collins’ Birkin bangs last December just before the new year, she gave us a 12-month masterclass in how to consistently rework a fringe. The Emily in Paris leading lady spent 2022 with her hair in character as she flaunted her French-girl bangs ahead of the season 3 premiere — where the eclectic Emily Cooper *also* debuts bangs.
Kendall Jenner went ginger
What began as a runway dye job for Kendall Jenner appearance in Prada’s fall/winter 2022 show became one of the biggest celebrity hair transformations of the year. As a model worth millions, Jenner knows that extreme beauty transformations are often part of the job — and she’s no stranger to bleached brows or platinum blonde hair in the name of fashion. But there was life beyond the runway for this redhead months after the Prada show, as she flaunting her new ginger status from the Vanity Fair Oscar party to social soirées with friends.
Billie Eilish went back to black
Back in February, Billie Eilish bid her blonde and brunette eras goodbye to dye her hair back to black. We’ve watched Eilish evolve since 2017, rocking everything from silver strands to bright blue locks, and who can forget her shocking neon green roots? This return to jet black — which was revealed by way of an Instagram post captioned only with a black square emoji — plays up the star’s Ocean Eyes and has lasted all year long. After partaking in the gothaissance at the Met Gala and releasing a dark new fragrance, this edgy raven hairdo feels more fitting than ever.
Doja Cat rocked a buzz cut
For Doja Cat, this summer was the season of the buzzcut. If we know anything about this pop star, it’s that she’s not one to shy away from making abeauty statement. We even witnessed her having a candid conversation with fans about her buzzing her hair to the scalp on an Instagram live in August. “I don’t like having hair. I never liked having hair. I cannot tell you one time since the beginning of my life that I’ve ever been like, ‘This is cool.’ I just do not like to have hair,” she shared live with viewers. With a newly buzzed canvas, we’ve watched the star deliver some of her most creative beauty looks yet ever since.
Aubrey Plaza went blonde
Last month, Aubrey Plaza debuted a blonde bob fit for a Sicilian summer at The White Lotus. Sure, we’re used to seeing the actor take on red carpets and big screens as a classic brunette, but we’ve welcomed this recent “uptown blonde” look with open arms. Captioning a recent Instagram post, Plaza wrote, “Someday the blonde will all make sense…” followed by a winking emoji. Whatever the reason, we’re eternally grateful.
Sydney Sweeney went back to her roots
In 2022, Sydney Sweeney came a long way from her Euphoria character Cassie Howard’s signature bottle blonde. Like Kendall Jenner, Sweeney rode the redhead wave for a stint earlier this year, but she’ll likely be closing 2022 out as a brunette. Everybody say thank you to Sweeney’s go-to hairstylist, Glenn Coco Oropeza, for this trip back to the star’s natural chestnut roots.
Jenna Ortega tried the “wolf cut”
With a shaggy new cut by stylist David Stanwell, Jenna Ortega could take on a second role in season two of Wednesday as Nevermore’s newest werewolf pupil. Quite the departure from Wednesday Addams’ trademark ink-black braids, but fitting in the Tim Burton universe nonetheless. The “wolf cut” (which lies somewhere between a shag cut and a mullet) has been on trend since 2021, but if Ortega is any indication we expect to see more of this look in 2023. Fine by us!
Zendaya debuted a chic bob
2022 was undoubtedly the year our favourite stars loved a bob, and Zendaya is the latest to test out the trend. Spoiler alert: she nails it. The Emmy Award-winning actor stunned on the red carpet of a Euphoria event this month as she introduced the paparazzi to her newly cropped auburn bob. When it comes to hair, there’s nothing Zendaya can’t do and there isn’t much she hasn’t done, but Z’s hairstylist Love Taije assures us that styling this bob is one of her more low-maintenance looks. “Just a simple blowout (round brushed),” she shared on Instagram.
Bella Hadid ended 2022 as a blonde
Attention: Bella Hadid is a blondie! We typically know the Hadid sisters as Gigi the blonde and Bella the brunette — but this sibling duo looked more alike than ever since Bella went blonde earlier this month. It’s not her first rodeo as a blonde, but it has been a while and this time she’s sporting her own custom shade. The pro behind this colour job, blonde connoisseur Jenna Perry, told Vogue that the honey blonde hue has been titled “Baby Bella” and “Aspen Blonde” — take note of that for your 2023 appointments. Let’s see what 2023 brings the supermodel and whether or not blondes really do have more fun.
