15 Times Your Favorite Celebrities Rocked Their Real Hair

Thanks to extensions, wigs, strengthening treatments, and many more advancements in the hair industry, it's now easier than ever to change your look overnight. This is especially true for celebrities who have access to tons of intricate hair pieces and some of the world's top colorists and stylists.

Suffice it to say, it's hard to tell what's real and what's the work of skilled artistry or the latest coloring science, so we decided to take a look back to when some of your favorite celebrities stepped out sans styling, color, and hair pieces. For some stars, these photos are very recent, while others haven't donned their natural 'do in years.

To be clear, we think that everyone should be able to express themselves however they please (including celebs) and there is nothing wrong with coloring your hair, wearing a wig, or styling your strands however the heck you please — or not! Whether your current vibe is to leave your hair au naturel or you're daydreaming about a totally new look, we've rounded up before and after shots to help inspire your next hair journey — whatever that may be.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande and her trademark ponytail are inseparable, but her iconic style wouldn't be possible without the help of extensions and styling. Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.

Believe it or not, Grande actually has mid-length, loose waves right now, which the singer showed off on Instagram while self-isolating.

Kerry Washington

While playing her famous character Olivia Pope on seven seasons of Scandal, we got used to seeing Kerry Washington with a sleek style. Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.

But get ready to see Washington's beautifully-coily, natural texture a lot more in her latest role in Little Fires Everywhere.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone's fire-red hair color is so good, it's easy to think that she was born with it.Photo: Stewart Cook/REX/Shutterstock.

And though her red strands are convincing, many don’t realize that blond is her natural color — which her colorist Tracey Cunningham confirmed in a 2018 interview.

CAN WE FIND ONE OF HER WITH NATURAL BLONDE HAIR? THIS IS VERY COLORED AND SHE HAS ROOTS
Photo: Amanda Schwab/StarPix/REX/Shutterstock.

Katy Perry

Platinum has been Katy Perry's go-to hair color as of late, but it isn't her OG shade.

Recently, Perry posted a makeup-free selfie, which also revealed her naturally dark roots.

IS THIS THE RIGHT SHOT? SHE DOESN'T HAVE ROOTS HERE.

Michelle Obama

For eight blissful years, we were blessed with Michelle Obama's style, grace, and plenty of photos of her glossy silk presses to take to our hairstylist. Photo: Cheriss May/NurPhoto/Getty Images.

However, the former FLOTUS sometimes puts her curly hair on display, like in this video from Essence Fest, where fans praised her natural coils.

Scarlett Johansson

You're probably used to seeing Scarlett Johansson as some variation of blonde — or even light red in last year's Oscar-winning role in Jojo Rabbit...Photo: Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock.

So it's easy to forget that Johansson's natural hair color is actually a warm brown. Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock.

Zendaya

Zendaya isn't one to hold back from taking a risk with her hair, whether for the red carpet or when sinking her teeth into a new role. From cropped wigs to sleek and straight styles, she's done it all.Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock.

Despite being a beauty chameleon, Zendaya wears her natural curls just as often as a fun new look.

Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss got her start modeling as a fresh-faced, light brunette.Photo: Kyle Ericksen/Penske Media/REX/Shutterstock.

But her hair has gotten gradually blonder as her career progressed, and she hasn't looked back.

I'M CONFUSEDPhoto: Zach Hilty/BFA/REX/Shutterstock.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson's weave and wig game is unmatched, especially as her Empire character, Cookie Lyon.Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

But when she's not in an expertly-laid wig, she's usually rocking her natural texture, which she recently dyed bright red.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union has a storied career that spans decades and mediums, but her long, glossy waves have been relatively consistent, from 2000's Bring It On all the way to her current show, L.A.'s Finest.Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images.

Union has cultivated a signature on-screen look, but when she's off-duty, she sports intricate braids, buns, her natural hair, and many more gorgeous styles.

Cardi B

If we went through all the inventive, beautiful wigs the Bronx native has worn, we'd be here all night. In short, Cardi's red carpet looks always deliver.Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.

When she's not in a perfectly-plucked unit, she lets her long natural hair flourish.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears is rarely without her buttery-blonde hair color and lengthy extensions.Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.

But she actually hit the scene as a light brunette back in the the early aughts.Photo: The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox nearly rivals her idol, Beyoncé, when it comes to rocking gorg blonde highlights and booty-length extensions. Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage.

However, Cox isn't shy about showing off her natural hair while she gets glam on Instagram. "I live in wigs," Cox told R29 in an interview last year.

Sanaa Lathan

The actress has worn straight hairstyles for a variety of her famous roles, including The Perfect Guy and Brown Sugar.Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images.

But as a committed actress, Lathan buzzed it all off for a role in the 2018 hit, Nappily Ever After. Since then, her hair has grown into a gorgeous set of curls that she wears almost exclusively.

Blake Lively

If you close your eyes, there's a good chance you picture Blake Lively as a blonde — and maybe even as Gossip Girl's Serena van der Woodsen — which makes sense given it's her mainstay color. Photo: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock.

But when she lets her roots grow in, it's easy to see that her color is actually a light brunette.


Photo: Debby Wong/Variety/REX/ Shutterstock.

Selena Gomez

When it comes to hairstyle inspo, Selena Gomez easily has some of the best styles in Hollywood.

Her latest look, a textured shag haircut with bangs, is — by far — one of our favorites.

THESE LOOK THE SAME TO ME...

Viola Davis

Like many award-winning actresses, Viola Davis changes up her hair for different roles. Photo: Rachel Murray/Getty Images.

But she's equally stunning when rocking her natural texture, often styled in a versatile tapered Afro.Photo: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images.

Jennifer Lopez

Big, bold, blonde hair is, usually, one of the first things that come to mind when we think of Jennifer Lopez.

Occasionally, Lopez and her stylist Chris Appleton show off her wavy texture on the red carpet, like at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards back in January.
I GET CAUGHT HERE ONLY BC HER HAIR IS SO BLONDE HERE, LET'S FIND A DIFFERENT OPTION FOR THE AFTER IF WE INCLUDE!

Megan Thee Stallion

No matter what style Megan Thee Stallion is rocking, you can always count on it to be laid, like this sleek black unit she rocked during New York Fashion Week.Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.

The breakout star's natural hair is no different. Back in August, the rapper shared a video revealing her natural curls while on vacation in Jamaica, further proving that this hot girl isn't limited to just one look.

Beyoncé

Long, highlighted hair has become Beyoncé's iconic beauty look...Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images.

But when Queen Bey's hair isn't straightened, her strands are naturally curly. Hairstylist Neal Farinah shared a video of his client's curl pattern back in April of 2019. "Serving all-natural curly hair," he captioned the image.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys loves a good braid, and sometimes uses extensions to add length and volume to her styles.Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.

When her braids are out, Keys sometimes rocks a simple pony with her natural texture.
I FEEL LIKE SHE'S BEEN NATURAL FOR SO LONG THIS REVEAL IS SORT OF LACKLUSTER, SO LET'S SKIP!

from refinery29