StoryInColor
2000s-present

Rihanna

The reigning style chameleon of her generation

Rihanna has cycled through more distinct visual identities than almost any contemporary star, with hair changes that became album rollouts and fashion choices that defined Met Gala cycles. She has worn most major hair lengths, colors, and shapes at least once, and her willingness to commit to a complete style change every season made her the dominant red-carpet figure of the 2010s. Her Fenty brands have extended the influence into commerce.

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Signature looks

  1. The fiery red bob

    A blunt chin-length bob in saturated fire-engine red, worn through her 2010-2011 era. One of the most-referenced color moments of the decade.

    Flatters an oval faceFlatters a heart-shaped face

  2. The shaved-side mohawk

    A high voluminous mohawk with the sides shaved short, worn at the 2011 Grammys. Recurring touchstone for editorial directional cuts.

    Flatters an oval faceFlatters a square face

  3. Long natural waves

    Long, voluminous, sometimes platinum, sometimes black hair worn with soft waves and a centre part. Her standard red-carpet shape between bigger style swings.

    Flatters an oval faceFlatters a round face

  4. Slicked-back high pony

    A long, sleek, glassy high ponytail with no fringe or face-framing. A red-carpet default for the 2017-2020 cycle.

    Flatters an oval faceFlatters a heart-shaped face

Fashion signatures

  • Saturated bright color (especially red, yellow, neon)
  • Vintage tailored coats
  • Statement hats (the 2018 papal mitre at the Met)
  • Fenty pieces from her own collection
  • Sneakers with formal dresses

Why their style endures

Rihanna's influence has been to make the complete reinvention a default career move rather than a risk. The fire-engine red bob, the mohawk, and the long platinum waves are each cited continuously in editorial styling, but her larger contribution is the permission slip she gave celebrity hair to cycle through significantly different identities without it reading as instability. Most A-list red-carpet hair in the 2020s borrows that license from her.

Try Rihanna’s hair on your face

Hairstyle Analysis renders eight cuts directly onto a selfie of you, including the shapes Rihanna is most associated with. See which signature suits your features before any salon visit.

Run a Hairstyle Analysis

$4.99 one-time, no subscription.

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