Dua Lipa’s Hair Evolution: Iconic Styles, Colors, and Transformations

Explore every dazzling look from Dua Lipa’s ever-changing hairstyle journey, inspiring trends and self-expression.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach
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Since bursting onto the music scene in 2015, Dua Lipa has established herself not only as a chart-topping singer but also as a bona fide style icon renowned for her fearless approach to hair. Her ever-changing looks—from sleek waves and punk baby bangs to vibrant two-tone dyes and daring mullets—represent both her artistic spirit and her commitment to experimentation. This article chronicles Dua’s most memorable hairstyles, colors, and transformations, offering inspiration for anyone ready to shake up their look.

Why Dua Lipa’s Hair Inspires Millions

Dua’s hair journey stands out for its bold reinventions and boundary-pushing color choices. With each new look, she manages to combine high fashion and current hair trends, encouraging fans and beauty lovers to embrace change, self-expression, and creativity. Whether performing on stage or gracing the red carpet, her hair is consistently a central part of her signature aesthetic.

  • Never afraid of extreme changes
  • Leader in trendsetting haircuts and colors
  • Pushes boundaries between classic and experimental
  • Regularly collaborates with top stylists to craft standout looks
  • Embraces natural texture and creative styling

35 Best Dua Lipa Hairstyles: Year-by-Year Transformation

Bendy Waves in 2016

In 2016, Dua Lipa favored long, bendy waves—a style defined by subtle S-shapes that emphasized her natural hair texture. She often parted her hair down the center, adding shine for a chic, effortless appearance. Bendy waves, easily recreated with a flat iron, offered a laid-back vibe perfect for her early career and red carpet appearances.

  • Key Features: Long length, center part, glossy texture
  • Styling Tip: Use a flat iron to create gentle bends for natural movement

Two-Toned Hair in 2019

By October 2019, Dua debuted the biggest transformation yet—a blunt lob featuring jet-black ends and honey-blonde highlights. This reverse ombré effect became instantly iconic, setting social media abuzz and sparking a new trend among fans and beauty professionals alike.

  • Contrast: Darker roots with platinum blonde top sections
  • Styling Insight: Bold color separation for dramatic impact
  • Trend: ‘Oreo hair’—striking visual contrast resembling a cookie’s layers

Two-Toned Bun at the MTV EMAs, 2019

At the 2019 MTV EMAs, Dua showcased the versatility of her two-tone hair by styling it in a sleek bun. The slight root grow-out added an extra layer of cool, making the look both sophisticated and edgy. The seamless blend of colors turned a simple updo into a style statement.

High Ponytail at the AMAs, 2019

Paying homage to pop contemporaries, Dua rocked a high ponytail at the American Music Awards. Her naturally dark hair created a vivid contrast with extended blonde lengths, delivering an Ariana Grande-inspired effect that perfectly complemented her playful style.

  • Elements: High ponytail, voluminous extensions, visible contrast
  • Effect: Dynamic and performance-ready style

Rainbow Highlights and Space Buns in Japan, 2019

While visiting Japan, Dua upped her color game, incorporating a few rainbow extensions styled into playful space buns. This vivid transformation demonstrated her willingness to experiment with fun, temporary dyes—inviting fans to join her in creative self-expression.

  • Key Features: Multicolored highlights, space buns, temporary dyes
  • Trend Note: Festival-inspired, whimsical style

Super-Contrasted Dark Roots with Bendy Waves, Mnet Asian Music Awards 2019

Dua’s appearance at the Mnet Asian Music Awards featured pronounced dark roots paired with bendy waves. This look underscored the beauty of intentional grow-out, proving that non-traditional blonde hair doesn’t have to be high-maintenance and can thrive with visible roots.

  • Low-maintenance blonde technique
  • Natural root contrast as a fashion statement

Dua Lipa’s Hair Cut Transformations and Styling Choices

Baby Bangs and Micro Fringe

In several red carpet appearances, Dua wowed with bold baby bangs—a style characterized by short, blunt fringe cut dramatically above the eyebrow. Her micro fringe brought an avant-garde edge to classic hairstyles, mixing French girl chic with punk spirit.

  • Perfect for high fashion looks
  • Instantly transforms facial features by accenting the eyes

Mullet and Shag Styles

Dua Lipa experimented with the mullet and shag haircuts, incorporating choppy layers, heavy fringe, and exaggerated volume. These styles recall vintage rock ‘n’ roll yet remain thoroughly modern, especially when paired with bold color choices.

  • Mullet: Shorter front and temples, longer back
  • Shag: Multiple uneven layers for texture

Fresh Fringes and Accidental Cuts

Some of Dua’s most talked-about hairstyles—such as her choppy fringes—arose out of moments of spontaneity and even accidental breakage. Rather than hiding damaged hair, she embraced fringe as a fashion-forward styling solution, blending necessity and creativity.

  • Using fringe and layers to mask breakage
  • Turning hair mishaps into new trends

Color Transformations: Blonde, Brunette, Two-Tone, and Pink

The Platinum Blonde Phase

Peroxide-powered platinum blonde signaled another major shift in Dua’s look, but these high-lift blondes are notoriously tricky to maintain. She suffered some breakage, reminding fans of the challenges that come with bold bleaching.

  • High maintenance, requires regular treatments
  • Inspired followers to try daring color despite risks

Half-Oreo, Cruella-Inspired Two-Tone

The ‘half-Oreo’ look merged chocolate brown underlayers with platinum blonde on top—a playful, dramatic update on classic two-tone coloring that recalled iconic movie villains but with Dua’s signature cool girl twist.

  • Visual impact through horizontal color blocking
  • Instantly Instagrammable and memorable

“Pink Hair Game” Experimentation

During lockdown, Dua dabbled with pink, adding vivid hues to her style repertoire. Temporary pink dyes highlighted her embrace of DIY hair trends and adaptability to changing circumstances.

  • DIY approach for at-home experimentation
  • Casual, fun, and accessible for fans

Back to Brunette with Split Fringe

Recently, Dua returned to an all-over brunette color complete with a split fringe, signaling both a restorative phase for her hair and a pivot toward sleek, classic styles. This transition aligned with efforts to regrow damaged strands while retaining her trademark edge.

  • Rich brunette for shine and recovery
  • Split fringe frames the face elegantly

Signature Styles on Stage and Red Carpet

  • Sleek, glass-like hair at major performances
  • Space buns, messy waves, and ponytails on tour
  • Creative braids and updos for fashion events
  • Always maintaining a sense of individuality

Glass Hair: How Dua Achieves That Shiny Finish

Dua’s ultra-lustrous glass hair look is a frequent fan favorite. Achieving that mirror-like shine requires a combination of professional products and strategic styling.

  • Kératase Resistance Bain Force Architecte Shampoo: Works to revive brittle hair, protect against breakage, and leave strands soft and shiny.
  • Bumble and Bumble Prep Detangling Hair Primer: A weightless mist that smooths and refreshes hair, prepping for flawless styling while adding a signature fragrance.
  • L’Oréal Paris EverPure Glossing 5-Min Lamination Mask: Delivers a glossy finish while preserving hair health.
  • Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment: Infuses intense shine and sleekness, used by stylists for photo-ready looks.
  • Pattern Beauty Shine Spray: Offers additional gloss and a fragrant finishing touch.
  • Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray: Fights frizz and humidity while delivering glass-like shine.

These products, alongside expert styling tips like blow-drying with a round brush and finishing with a flat iron, are integral to Dua’s high-gloss perfection on stage and Instagram.

Hair Health and Self-Care in Dua’s Journey

Bold experimentation sometimes comes with a cost—especially breakage from bleach and constant coloring. Dua’s journey highlights both the excitement of quick change and the importance of recovery and self-care. Restorative masks, protective styling, and returning to natural roots are crucial steps after periods of intense transformation.

ChallengeSolution
Breakage from bleachingBond-repair treatments, protein-rich masks, minimal heat styling
Dryness after coloringMoisturizing shampoos, conditioning primers, oil serums
High maintenance upkeepRoot shadow techniques, low-lift dye, embracing natural grow-out
Wanting new look quicklyTemporary dyes, wigs, clip-in extensions

Stylists Behind the Scenes: Peter Lux & Katie Jane Hughes

Collaborating with acclaimed stylists like Peter Lux and Katie Jane Hughes, Dua transforms each vision into reality. Their expertise, product choices, and creative flair play pivotal roles in every hair moment that’s shared online and on the red carpet.

  • Peter Lux—Dua’s hairstylist, architect of her signature glass hair
  • Katie Jane Hughes—responsible for flawless makeup coordination

How to Recreate Dua Lipa’s Iconic Hair Looks at Home

  • Choose a style that suits your face shape and hair texture
  • Try temporary hair dyes or extensions for dramatic color without commitment
  • Invest in shine-enhancing products for glass hair finish
  • Use heat protectant and nourishing treatments before styling
  • Embrace bold fringes or layered cuts for instant transformation
  • Don’t fear root grow-out—rock contrast as a statement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the most iconic Dua Lipa hairstyles?

A: Dua’s most iconic styles include her two-toned lob, glass hair, rainbow space buns, mullet and shag cuts, and bold micro fringe—each capturing a unique moment in her beauty evolution.

Q: How does Dua Lipa keep her hair healthy after constant transformations?

A: She uses professional reparative shampoos, conditioning masks, and regularly returns to deeper brunette hues to restore hair health and reduce damage from bleach.

Q: Can I recreate Dua Lipa’s hair looks at home?

A: Yes, many of her hair transformations can be recreated with temporary hair colors, professional glossing products, and careful heat styling. Consult your stylist for dramatic cuts.

Q: What products Does Dua Lipa use for glass hair?

A: Items spotted in her dressing room include Kératase Resistance Bain Force Architecte Shampoo, Bumble and Bumble Prep Detangling Hair Primer, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Glossing Mask, Oribe Mirror Rinse, Color Wow Dream Coat, and Pattern Beauty Shine Spray.

Q: Has Dua embraced her natural texture in any styles?

A: Yes, Dua often wears bendy, S-shaped waves and messy textures early in her career and returns to natural movement even in high-fashion settings.

Final Thoughts: Dua Lipa’s Hair as Trend Inspiration

Dua Lipa’s hair evolution is a testament to fearless self-expression, adaptability, and trendsetting influence. Each transformation challenges conventional beauty norms, invites artistic creativity, and—most importantly—empowers fans to explore their own style. Whether craving minimalist waves or maximalist color, Dua’s journey offers endless inspiration and serves as a reminder: the best hair moments often start with a willingness to embrace change.

Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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