Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter—affectionately known as "Queen Bey" to her fans—is one of the most influential artists of all time. So much so that countless icons in her industry have publicly expressed their immense admiration for the Texas-born, including Halle Bailey, Lizzo, and Adele (just to name a few).
Needless to say, her music defined a generation, from her time as the lead singer of Destiny's Child, to full global superstardom. During her more than 30 years performing hits like "Bills, Bills, Bills" or more recently, "CUFF IT," she "too" took every opportunity to experiment with her hair.
Rita Hazan, Beyoncé's go-to person when it comes to coloring her hair, recently told Bustle that most people look good in warmer tones. Similar to Beyoncé, she explains that she looks best with a "warm honey blonde, but not too light or ashy" so it doesn't overshadow her — especially on stage. What's more, Hazan noted that the "sunny blonde" shade the icon sported during her headline-grabbing Renaissance World Tour is her favorite look to date, one that really stood out under the stage lights.
Want to take a quick trip down memory lane? Here are the 20 best hair moments of Beyoncé's career.
1. Ears of corn
During her Destiny's Child days, Beyoncé was known for wearing long cornrows and earrings.
2. Slim bangs
Queen Bey is having a lot of fun with her bangs. She either wears her hair in a ponytail - like in the photo above - or wears it down.
3. Chic braided bun
This hairstyle should be considered Beyoncé's official announcement that she is queen. Isn’t it just singing about the royal family ?
4. Micro braids and curls
I remember when Beyoncé was first seen wearing micro braids, mostly because a few weeks later, most of the girls in my middle school were also wearing micro braids (no joke). Even before the "Lemonade" era, Bay's braids inspired an entire generation of young black women.
5. Wavy Honey Blonde Hair
When Beyoncé announced she was "madly in love," she also debuted a new hairstyle: a wavy honey blonde.
6. Big curly hair
I have to say, this is one of my favorite Beyoncé hairstyles of all time. In my opinion you can't go wrong with curly hair and this hair color complements her skin tone perfectly.
7. Espresso Skewers
When Beyoncé goes so dark, it seems to me that she completely becomes a new person (maybe Sasha Fierce). While she doesn't stay dark for too long, I love that she's able to switch from one end of the color wheel to the other, killing every shade along the way.
8. Blonde on top, brown on bottom
In a look that modern muses — namely Miley Cyrus — have tried lately, Beyoncé did it first.
9. Regal Pony
When announcing her pregnancy with Blue Ivy (who is now on stage touring with her mom), Bey opted for a relaxed low pony moment.
10. Textured Blonde Bob
As always, Beyoncé had everyone talking about her new hairstyle at the 2014 Grammy Awards, a blonde bob with some dark roots that are "still" in style.
11. Mermaid Core Wet Bob
Bey arguably started the wet hair trend, which would be revived a few years later thanks to her obsession with mermaids.
12. Medium and long hair
Bey is the queen of many things, including the middle part. In the evolution of Beyoncé's hair, she always goes back to the center parting, and I understand why. The look is always sleek and simple, but never boring.
13. Naughty high horse
"Queens are never late. Others are just early." Although this is a line from "The Princess Diaries" , I believe Queen Bey followed this sentiment. She's the celebrity who arrives at red carpet events later than anyone else , but always makes a grand appearance every time she arrives.
When this high ponytail showed up at the 2015 Met Gala, it became the talk of the town (or Twitter and Instagram). Everyone wants a gorgeous high pony for the next formal event or even for the work day. Some believe Beyoncé is imitating the soon-to-be queen from the movie Coming to America . But no matter who she's copying, Bey is officially proving that she'll always be the queen of all hairstyles.
14.Goddess inches
Back in 2017, Beyoncé embraced her divine feminine power when she performed at the Grammy Awards (while, of course, she was pregnant with twins Rumi and Sir Carter). As for her hair? Her extra-long curly hair was styled loose and she wore a gold-plated tiara that almost complemented the stunning look.
15. Braided Pony
The following year at the 2018 Grammy Awards, Queen Bey had her sandy blonde hair braided into thick braids that truly looked like a work of art.
16. XXL Mermaid Waves
Return. Coachella Music Festival. Caramel curls. Need I say more?
17. Artistic Edge
Bey voices Nala in "The Lion King " (the live-action version of "ICYMI"), and when she arrived on the premiere red carpet, her edges looked more like a real-life work of art. The intricate hairstyle was styled by Bey's frequent collaborator Kim Kimble.
18. Full volume
Beyoncé takes the volume to the next level, debuting a blondie that's as loud as her voice.
19. Smooth Caramel Curls
Looking back at wet hair years later, Bey's hair looks darker than it did at the Grammys in February 2023 (although her ends are still a deep honey color).
20. Renaissance Tour "Sun-soaked Blonde"
Beyoncé's current hair color, painted by Hazan, is a "sun-washed blonde" that's full of warmth and dimension.
