The Most Iconic Curly Hair of All Time

When it comes to being in the limelight, celebrities often opt for sleek, glossy hairstyles that are often understated enough to let their perfectly styled outfit do all the talking. While a chic, pared-down ‘do is appropriate and oh-so-stylish in many cases, you’ll never hear onlookers ogling over them quite as much as when a starlet steps out in big, bold, look-at-me curls. As with rare gems such as redheads, curls are reserved for only the boldest of ladies who never shy away from making waves on the red carpet (and wherever they go, for that matter). Curly girls today are well represented, but still draw inspiration from decades of women past who shamelessly rocked curls like it was their job. Decades defined by all kinds of curls, whether bold and glamorous in the 50’s, wild and natural in the 80’s, or glossy and defined in the early 2000’s prove that this hairstyle is truly deserving of its title as a style icon of the ages —and it’s not going anywhere soon. Curly girls, like myself, find inspiration in every walk of life from fellow curly-headed ladies both past and present. Though I’ll always identify with Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally and Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City, I don’t think their characters would have been half as memorable (and adorable) without their signature wild piles of curls atop their heads. In honor of this iconic hairstyle that just refuses to quit, we’re rounding up our favorite famous curly hairstyles of all-time that continue to inspire us today.

1 of 26 Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Shirley Temple

2 of 26 MGM Studios/Getty Images

Judy Garland

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Lucille Ball

4 of 26 Paramount Pictures/Getty Images

Olivia Newton John in 'Grease'

5 of 26 Ron Wolfson/Getty Images

Elizabeth Berkeley in 'Saved by the Bell'

6 of 26 Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Julia Roberts

7 of 26 Archive Photos/Getty Images

Kate Winslet in 'Titanic'

8 of 26 Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Meg Ryan in 'When Harry Met Sally'

9 of 26 Jim Smeal/Getty Images

Nicole Kidman

10 of 26 Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker

11 of 26 CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Fran Drescher in 'The Nanny'

12 of 26 Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kate Hudson

13 of 26 Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images

Mariah Carey

14 of 26 J. Vespa/Getty Images

Rita Wilson

15 of 26 Jim Spellman/Getty Images

Bette Midler

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Style An Elegant Braided Updo

If you're looking for wedding, bridesmaid, or event hair inspiration – look no further than this oh-so-elegant hairstyle from our friend Hannah Holsomback. Known on Instagram as @bighairedhannah, this Birmingham, Alabama-based stylist and Southern belle has mastered the art of the braid, from luscious french braids to crowns to long, textured fishtails. This sweet, Southern look by Hannah combines a fishtail braid with a messy bun, and is much less complicated than it looks. It's a great, easy updo to keep the Southern heat from ruining your hair and it looks incredibly impressive from all angles. You can easily dress up this look with a formal gown and some heels, or play it off as more casual in a sundress at an outdoor wedding. One key to this Elegant Braided Updo is to spray liberally – this will hold the look in place as well as provide some texture to your 'do.

Hair: Hannah Holsomback
Model: Ellen Mitchell

17 of 26 Images Press/Getty Images

Brooke Shields

18 of 26 Jim Spellman/Getty Images

Janet Jackson

19 of 26 J. Vespa/Getty Images

Charlize Theron

20 of 26 Chris Polk/Getty Images

Carrie Underwood

21 of 26 Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Taylor Swift

22 of 26 Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Emmy Rossum

23 of 26 Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez

24 of 26 Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

Beyonce

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Kerry Washington

26 of 26 Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images

The Most Iconic Curly Hair of All Time

Shirley Temple

Judy Garland

Lucille Ball

Olivia Newton John in 'Grease'

Elizabeth Berkeley in 'Saved by the Bell'

Julia Roberts

Kate Winslet in 'Titanic'

Meg Ryan in 'When Harry Met Sally'

Nicole Kidman

Sarah Jessica Parker

Fran Drescher in 'The Nanny'

Kate Hudson

Mariah Carey

Rita Wilson

Bette Midler

Style An Elegant Braided Updo

Brooke Shields

Janet Jackson

Charlize Theron

Carrie Underwood

Taylor Swift

Emmy Rossum

Jennifer Lopez

Beyonce

Kerry Washington

Tori Kelly

You May Like

Read More

The Most Iconic Curly Hair of All Time

Shirley Temple

Judy Garland

Lucille Ball

Olivia Newton John in 'Grease'

Elizabeth Berkeley in 'Saved by the Bell'

Julia Roberts

Kate Winslet in 'Titanic'

Meg Ryan in 'When Harry Met Sally'

Nicole Kidman

Sarah Jessica Parker

Fran Drescher in 'The Nanny'

Kate Hudson

Mariah Carey

Rita Wilson

Bette Midler

Style An Elegant Braided Updo

Brooke Shields

Janet Jackson

Charlize Theron

Carrie Underwood

Taylor Swift

Emmy Rossum

Jennifer Lopez

Beyonce

Kerry Washington

Tori Kelly

You May Like

Read More

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