Lupita Nyong'o's Best Hairstyles

20 Times Lupita Nyong’o Had an Unforgettable Hair Moment on the Red Carpet

If there's one thing Lupita Nyong'o is known for (besides her Oscar-winning acting), it's her willingness to try just about anything with her hair. Between intricate braids and fabulous ponytails, we can't help but stay inspired by all of her versatile hairstyles. But what we love most is that the actress has been quick to shut down the notion that straight, silky hair is the golden standard when it comes to "beautiful hair." Over the years, she's been extremely vocal about how proud she is to show off her natural hair texture, and she sure has the looks to back it up.

Scroll on to see 20 of the star's best hair moments — we dare you to pick just one favourite.

Image Source: Getty / Leon Bennett

Lupita Nyong’o’s Elevated Topknot in 2020

The actress served looks at the 25th annual Critics' Choice Awards with her elevated (and accessorised) topknot that added both height and a boss-lady aura to her overall look.

Image Source: Getty / Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

Lupita Nyong’o’s Blunt Bangs in 2019

Blunt bangs have never looked as good as they do on Nyong'o at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 11th Annual Governors Awards.

Image Source: Getty / Steve Granitz

Lupita Nyong’o’s Side Puff in 2019

Nyong'o arrived at her interview on Sunday Today With Willie Geist donning a voluminous side puff that gave us major '70s vibes.

Image Source: Getty / NBC

Lupita Nyong’o’s Low Ballerina Bun in 2019

A sophisticated take on what we know as a playful ballerina bun, Nyong'o's avant-garde hair look for the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards was simple yet polished.

Image Source: Getty / Jerod Harris

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Lupita Nyong’o’s Ode to Colour in 2019

Maybe it's a combination of the neon yellow blazer with the multicolored headband, but we're digging Nyong'o's cool-girl look as she stepped out in Midtown.

Image Source: Getty / Raymond Hall

Lupita Nyong’o’s Afro With Picks in 2019

The actress arrived at the 2019 Met Gala to make a statement: a towering 'do featuring five perfectly positioned golden picks pays homage to African American art as well as the actress' natural hair texture.

Image Source: Getty / Rabbani and Solimene Photography

Lupita Nyong’o’s Waterfall Side Braid in 2019

To promote Us, Nyong'o visited Un Nuevo Dia with waterfall side braids ready to steal the spotlight.

Image Source: Getty / Alexander Tamargo

Lupita Nyong’o’s Exposed Alligator Pins in 2019

If there's anyone who could pull off exposed alligator pins and make it look chic, it's Nyongo'o at the 2019 SXSW Festival premiere of Us.

Image Source: Getty / Gary Miller

Lupita Nyong’o’s Natural Bob in 2019

It's official. We're swooning over Nyong'o's entire look at the Us screening, from the bright red contacts and vampy lips to the posh bob.

Image Source: Getty / Mike Marsland

Lupita Nyong’o’s Front Top Knot in 2018

Whoever said top knots were reserved for the top of your head was clearly mistaken — Nyong'o's front puff stuns at the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards.

Image Source: Getty / Bennett Raglin

Lupita Nyong’o’s Golden Braids in 2018

This would not be complete without this iconic look: perfectly executed braids with gold strands weaved throughout.

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Lupita Nyong’o’s Braid-Wrapped Pony in 2018

The feathered choker and metallic lips were the perfect complement to Nyong'o's feminine braid-wrapped short ponytail.

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Lupita Nyong’o’s Looped Up 'Do in 2018

At the Black Panther New York Fashion Week Showcase Nyong'o donned a head-turning updo consisting of braided loops.

Image Source: Getty / Jamie McCarthy

Lupita Nyong’o’s Split-Tied High Pony in 2018

Every side is Nyong'o's good side as she sports a split high-top ponytail that falls to either side of her head.

Image Source: Getty / Samir Hussein

Lupita Nyong’o’s Modernised Mohawk in 2018

The star stops for some autographs at Jimmy Kimmel Live with a biker chic mohawk and black shades to match.

Image Source: Getty / RB/Bauer-Griffin

Lupita Nyong’o’s Sky-High Topknot in 2018

A more subtle version of her ultra sky-high 2016 Met Gala topknot, Nyong'o managed to still look stunning even when she takes it down a notch for the Los Angeles premiere of Black Panther.

Image Source: Getty / Jon Kopaloff

Lupita Nyong’o’s Refined Low Bun in 2017

The actress kept things low and in charge as she arrives at the Calvin Klein Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week

Image Source: Getty / Gilbert Carrasquillo

Lupita Nyong’o’s Effortless Topknot in 2017

On the flip side, she donned a relaxed yet playful topknot here that has us wishing we could wake up like that.

Image Source: Getty / Joe Maher

Lupita Nyong’o’s Netted Pompadour in 2015

As she accessorises with a netted pompadour and futuristic earrings, Nyong'o proves yet again that she's a force to be reckoned with at the European Premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Image Source: Getty / Karwai Tang

Lupita Nyong’o’s Triple-Braided Headband in 2015

Who needs one headband when you can have three, made all out of your own hair? Nyong'o made us do a double take with her pulled back hairstyle at the 2015 Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

Image Source: Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris