When we think of Blake Lively, her impressive acting career, stunning style transformation, and gorgeous hair come to mind. Lively has worn more than her fair share of epic hairstyles — and she knows we’re obsessed with her vibrant, golden locks. “Since childhood, through puberty, early adulthood, motherhood, work, personal life, whenever, wherever, the only recognizable part of me has always been my personality — right? Not my personality? Oh… my hair,” she joked on Instagram in July 2024. Her locks are so iconic that she even launched her own haircare brand, Blake Brown Beauty.
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It’s no surprise, then, that New York City salon owner John Barrett, speaking to The New York Times in 2009, compared the public’s love for Lively’s hair to that of Jennifer Aniston at the height of her “Friends” fame. He claimed Lively’s “Gossip Girl” hairstyles could rival the popularity of Aniston’s infamous “The Rachel” (a throwback ’90s cut that was back in style in 2024). “(Lively’s) hair is a big trend right now (but) whether anyone can handle it is a question mark,” he said. But Lively’s iconic hair looks extend far beyond her “Gossip Girl” days.
Blake Lively’s braid at the 2009 Emmys was iconic yet doable
Blake Lively has embraced an undone, beachy hair aesthetic over the years, embracing some very loose styles early in her career. The super long slicked back braid she wore to the 2009 Emmys was proof of that. This hairstyle isn’t perfect, and that’s why we love it. There are a few natural and traceable curls, and the braid features small and large sections, as well as tight and loose twists. This is easy to recreate as it doesn’t look too “done” and also shows us her stunning face and glowing complexion.
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Speaking to W in 2017, Lively’s hairstylist Rod Ortega explained that her haircut allows her to create variety. “It’s a long, layered haircut. The right amount of layers around the face makes the cut versatile, from a ponytail to a bun to down and wavy. It all starts with a really great cut,” he said.
Her personalized red curls with the Blake Wave attracted attention
Of course, Blake Lively is known for her blonde hair, but we can’t say it was anything less than iconic when she debuted red locks at the 2011 TIME 100 gala. The star wowed with glossy locks over her shoulder and a deep side part. The shade was chosen specifically for her cool blue eyes and her skin’s golden undertones. “We mixed cool and warm tones. We didn’t want the red to be too yellow,” Rona O’Connor told Beautylish that year. O’Connor told that she also incorporated “golden strawberry, an apricot and a ruby copper orange” to add dimension.
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But even though her color was different, she still incorporated something familiar: her signature wave, which Rod Ortega dubbed “The Blake Wave.” “Waves really suit her hair. A lot of people know her with those waves,” he told W. He also revealed how to replicate her signature hairstyle by starting with a blow-dry. Then he uses the Ibiza 7 hairbrush and T-3 Trio curling iron and applies serum. “I don’t use too much product. Then it’s about brushing it out so it falls nicely,” he explained.
Blake Lively’s Old Hollywood curls showed how healthy her hair is
Blake Lively proved in 2012 that she can pull off bigger, more defined, voluminous curls just as well as her signature waves. She attended the premiere of her film Savages with stunning blonde locks and a glamorous side part. Her look exuded old Hollywood glamour as her hair was curled towards her face, rejecting the more modern method of curling outwards. Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2016, Rod Ortega revealed that her seductive curls were inspired by Hollywood icon Rita Hayworth.
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The effort Lively put into her hair was clear to see. Her curls were shiny and bouncy, and it seemed like Lively’s mom’s trick for properly moisturizing her hair really worked. “She used to apply oil or mayonnaise to the bottom half of her hair before showering,” the actress told Byrdie in 2017, revealing that she did it too. “That way, when she shampooed, the soap wouldn’t dry out the bottom of her hair and make it brittle.” There was no dry end in sight that evening.
In 2016, her updo at the Met Gala was absolutely unique
When Blake Lively attended the Met Gala in 2016 (one of our favorite Met Gala appearances of hers), she had her blonde hair tied back. But not in just any old bun. This was a bold, extra-large version, including a smaller bun swirled outward to give the most beautiful twist on the classic – literally. Also, strands of hair were wrapped around the outside. Rod Ortega told the Daily Mail the updo was inspired by the 1960s and 1970s, as well as ancient Greece. That might not sound like the most natural combination, but if anyone knows how to bring different aesthetics together into a gorgeous final product, it’s Blake Lively.
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This look showed off some real hair flexibility from the One for Four star, something she’s become known for. “Blake’s hair and style is versatile and I think that’s what people love about it so much,” Ortega told Harper’s Bazaar in 2017. “She takes risks and is always open to trying different styles and taking ideas from different cultures and history.”
Her tight curls were stunning (and made her feel comfortable)
In 2019, Blake Lively let her hair down for the Pokémon: Detective Pikachu red carpet, where she confirmed her pregnancy. She wore voluminous but tighter curls, and the warm honey tone flattered her skin and gave it a beautiful glow. Lively knew all eyes would be on her and her belly, which may explain why she wore her hair down. “Honestly, I’m a shy person and my hair is a safety net for me, so I love wearing it down and full and relaxed,” she explained to Hello! in 2014 (via Daily Mail). “Often you see people on the red carpet with strictly updos, but that makes me feel stiff.”
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To get her hair so big, Lively may have used the Mason Pearson Hand Boar & Nylon Hair Brush. She told Marie Claire in 2013 that she used it to achieve volume. “I use it for backcombing. Just one or two strokes under the top layer gives my hair a sexy, full look,” she said. This influential star knows the benefits of a boar bristle hairbrush.
Blake Lively’s flower braid rounded off her entire look
In August 2024, Blake Lively changed things up yet again to deliver another iconic hair look. At a Betty Blooms pop-up, the beauty imitated Rapunzel from Disney’s Tangled by wearing her hair in a loose and low side braid with several seemingly real flowers. And fans noticed (and loved!) the similarities. “I’m obsessed with this hairstyle, looks like a version of Rapunzel,” one person commented after Lively shared photos from the event on Instagram. “This hairstyle is just WOW,” another fan wrote.
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The floral accessories proved that Lively knows how to turn a trend into something special. Floral fashion was big for spring and summer 2024 and Lively knew it, as she wore a striking pink floral outfit. But by also incorporating flowers into her curls, her curls tied the pieces together and highlighted her feminine and glamorous style. In this case, it also gave her a particularly ethereal, garden-like vibe that we’re dying to try out for ourselves. What a hair queen.
