For over 35 years, Madonna [1] has been the reigning queen of pop (not to mention an actor, author, fashion designer, and director). The Golden Globe- and Grammy-winning artist has been pushing boundaries throughout her entire career [2], and along with her many hits, she's been famous for her ever-changing image. With each new record comes a brand-new Madonna [3]. Who could forget the slip-dress-and-crucifix days that came with "Like a Prayer" or her dark and sultry makeover for "Frozen"?
As her music has evolved, Madonna has tried just about every hairstyle in the book, and while she almost always returns to blond curls in the end, she's dabbled with brunette hair, pixie cuts, retro waves, clip-in ponytails, and so much more. Most recently, she debuted a dramatic brunette makeover [4] and perhaps the shortest cut we've seen on her to date. As we wait to see how long that new look will last, take a look back at Madonna's incredible hair evolution, from the '80s through to today.
A Fluffy Updo in 1983
Launching her first album, "Burning Up".
Like a Virgin in 1984
An iconic look at the MTV VMAs.
Textured Waves in 1985
Filming Desperately Seeking Susan.
A Curly Updo in 1985
Filming Desperately Seeking Susan.
Crimped Curls in 1985
Performing "Crazy For You" in the movie Vision Quest.
Slicked Back Bangs in 1985
Appearing at the American Music Awards.
Going Brunette in 1985
Performing during the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, PA.
Sideswept Curls in 1986
Filming Shanghai Surprise.
Bouffant Blond in 1986
Filming Shanghai Surprise.
Blond Pixie in 1986
Filming the music video for Papa Don't Preach.
Peroxide Pixie in 1987
Filming Who's That Girl?
White Blond in 1987
Filming Who's That Girl?
Swept-Back Short Cut in 1987
Filming Who's That Girl?
Short Blond Curls in 1987
At the American Music Awards.
Wet and Wild in 1987
During her tour.
A Brunette Bob With Bangs in 1989
Filming Bloodhounds of Broadway.
Tight and Light Curls in 1990
Filming Dick Tracy.
Spiral Curls in 1990
Filming Dick Tracy.
That Famous Ponytail in 1990
During her "Blond Ambition" tour.
Getting Wiggy With it In 1990
At the MTV VMAs.
Classic Curly Updo in 1991
Filming Truth or Dare.
Slicked Down in 1992
Filming the music video for "Erotica".
A Flicked-Out Brunette Bob in 1992
Filming A League Of Their Own.
Brunette With a Scarf in 1992
Filming A League Of Their Own
Sideswept and Short in 1993
Filming Body of Evidence.
Big Curls in 1995
Filming Four Rooms.
Half-Up in 1995
At the MTV VMAs.
A Side-Parted Updo in 1995
At the American Music Awards.
Slicked Back in 1996
Filming Evita.
Roller Set in 1996
Filming Evita.
1940s Waves in 1996
Filming Evita.
Lived-in Waves in 1996
At a Director's Guild screening of Evita.
A Sleek Blowout in 1997
At the Golden Globe Awards.
Long With a and Centre Part in 1998
Filming Will and Grace.
A Wavy Lob in 1998
At the MTV EMAs.
Romantic Ringlets in 1998
At the Oscars.
Sleek and Brunette in 1999
At the Grammy Awards.
Dark Blond Curls in 2000
Filming The Next Best Thing.
Straight Layers in 2001
At the premiere of Snatch.
A Wavy Bob in 2002
Filming Swept Away.
Barrel Curls in 2002
Filming Swept Away.
Long and Sleek in 2003
At an event for her book, "Mr Peabody's Apples".
A Chic Ponytail in 2003
At the launch of her book "The English Roses".
Strawberry Blond Curls in 2003
Reading from her book The English Roses.
Brunette Waves in 2003
At a Kabbalah event.
A Brunette Braid in 2003
At the MTV studios.
Centre-Parted and Soft in 2004
At the UK Music Hall of Fame final.
Strawberry Blonde Curls in 2004
On the opening night of her Reinvention Tour.
'70s Flicks in 2005
At the premiere of her documentary, I'm Going to Tell You a Secret.
Flipped Out Bangs in 2006
At the BRIT Awards.
Centre-Parted Curls in 2006
At the Bizarre Awards.
Short and Choppy in 2006
At an exhibition.
Straight and Flipped Out in 2006
At the Grammy Awards.
Voluminous Waves in 2007
At a screening of Arthur and the Invisibles.
Straight Layers in 2007
At the launch of her H&M clothing range.
A Curly Bob in 2007
At a screening of Revolver.
Bright Blond and Curled in 2008
At the Berlinale Film Festival.
Big Curls in 2008
At her Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction.
Golden Waves in 2008
Visiting BET's 106 & Park.
Crimped Waves in 2008
At an event for her film Filth and Wisdom.
Top Hat and Waves in 2008
Performing in Las Vegas.
A Blond Clavicut in 2008
At the Cannes Film Festival.
Sideswept Waves in 2009
At the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Twisted Topknot in 2009
At the MET Gala.
Superstraight in 2011
At the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Vintage Waves in 2011
At the MET Gala.
Long and Golden in 2012
At the Golden Globe Awards.
Sexy Waves in 2012
At the launch of her fragrance.
'60s Volume in 2012
Filming the video for her single "Turn Up the Radio".
A Mini Quiff in 2012
On tour in LA.
A Short and Sharp Wig in 2013
At the MET Gala.
A Loose Updo in 2013
At the Chime For Change: The Sound of Change Live concert.
Long and Luscious in 2014
At the Grammy Awards.
Under the Veil in 2015
At the Grammy Awards.
Superlong Waves in 2015
At the MET Gala.
Dark Roots in 2016
At the premiere of The Beatles: Eight Days a Week.
Fluffy Waves in 2018
At the launch of the Moschino x H&M collection.