Rihanna's Dramatic Hair Journey Through the Years, From Marvelous Mullets to Blond Bobs

Rihanna sporting long black tresses at the Fenty Beauty and Skin celebration in Los Angeles. (Credit: Courtesy of Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Rihanna has cemented herself as one of today's biggest stars with a host of talents. Her boundary-pushing looks from the streets of New York City to the red carpet are second to none and we're still singing along to hits like "Work" and "Needed Me" from her last album (which dropped eight years ago). Let's not forget her trailblazing Fenty empire that keeps on growing now with Fenty Hair set to drop June 13. In classic Rihanna fashion, the superstar broke the news with a creative ad video and a new hairstyle in the form of a shaggy, blond bob.

The multihyphenate's newest 'do is just one of many styles that mark her on-again and off-again blond era, which the star debuted at April's Fenty x Puma Creeper launch party with long tresses and blunt bangs. Rihanna switches her hair all the time, not for the sake of remaining relevant, but strictly for her own satisfaction. "I get bored, and I need to move on to something, or I'm going to crawl out of my body," she told Allure. "Cut it. I don't care. It's hair. It'll grow back. Bleach it, whatever. Just do something."

The mom of two's hair choices have also dictated and solidified trends. Most notably, Rihanna proudly wore perfectly-parted Bantu knots at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards, ushering a revival of the cultural style. She also rocked a high bun with simple bangs at the 2017 Met Gala, a look that many try to emulate today.

Scroll through to see Rihanna's best hairstyles throughout her two-decade career, from short pixie cuts to long pink hair.

Fenty x Puma Creeper Launch Party, 2024

Rihanna at the Fenty x Puma Creeper Phatty Earth Tone Launch Party in London. (Credit: Courtesy of Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Rihanna stuns in a bold red lip and honey-blond bangs at the Fenty x Puma Creeper Phatty Earth Tone launch party in London.

Oscars, 2023

Rihanna at the 2023 Oscars. (Credit: Courtesy of Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

We love how the star made a perfectly messy bun red carpet-worthy.

Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Press Conference, 2022

Rihanna at the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Press Conference. (Credit: Courtesy of Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

The star showed us the best way to make a ponytail stand out by adding two pin-straight front bangs.

Barbados Presidential Inauguration Ceremony, 2021

Rihanna at the 2021 Barbados Presidential Inauguration Ceremony. (Credit: Courtesy of Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images)

These sculptural braids were the style fit for the occasion of being crowned National Hero of Barbados.

The British Fashion Awards, 2019

Rihanna at The British Fashion Awards 2019. (Credit: Courtesy of Isabel Infantes/AFP via Getty Images)

If there's anyone who can rock braids on the red carpet, it's RiRi.

Fenty Pop-Up in New York City, 2019

Rihanna at a Fenty pop-up in New York City in 2019. (Credit: Courtesy of Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Fenty)

The singer entered her red box braids era for a Fenty New York City event and we didn't want the era to end.

Paris Fashion Week, 2018

Rihanna at Paris Fashion Week in 2018. (Credit: Courtesy of Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

A bob that's navy blue and black? Only Rihanna can pull it off.

Grammy Awards, 2018

Rihanna at the 2018 Grammy Awards. (Credit: Courtesy of Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)

The star showed off her Caribbean side with bouncy waves and a tropical flower for her performance at the 2018 Grammys.

Fenty Beauty Launch in London, 2017

Rihanna at a London Fenty Beauty launch in 2017. (Credit: Courtesy of Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

This black half-up, half-down style wonderfully complemented her Molly Goddard dress.

Met Gala, 2017

Rihanna at the 2017 Met Gala. (Credit: Courtesy of Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images For Entertainment Weekly)

Maximalist beauty at its finest as seen with this blunt bang and extreme blush combo.

Diamond Ball, 2015

Rihanna at the 2015 Diamond Ball. (Credit: Courtesy of Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

There's nothing classier than slicked-back tresses for a fancy soirée.

Met Gala, 2015

Rihanna at the 2015 Met Gala. (Credit: Courtesy of Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

As one of the most memorable Met Gala looks of all time, Rihanna elevated her look with a flipped, ginger-red bob and gold headband.

iHeartRadio Music Awards, 2014

Rihanna at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards. (Credit: Courtesy of Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

These Bantu knots are nothing short of iconic.

Los Angeles Clippers Game, 2014

Rihanna at a Los Angeles Clippers Game in 2014. (Credit: Courtesy of Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

The viral Twitter moment of 2014: Rihanna's pink pixie cut at the Clippers game.

New York Fashion Week, 2013

Rihanna at New York Fashion Week in 2013. (Credit: Courtesy of Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)

Rihanna debuted the 80s-favorite style during New York Fashion Week and it reigns as one of her most iconic hairstyles ever.

Grammy Awards, 2013

Rihanna at the 2013 Grammy Awards. (Credit: Courtesy of Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)

These loose, ombre waves just scream summer.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, 2012

Rihanna at the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. (Credit: Courtesy of Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

During her edgiest era, the star rocked shiny waves during her memorable runway walk at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

MTV Video Music Awards, 2012

Rihanna at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. (Credit: Courtesy of Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Have you seen a more perfect pixie cut? This look for the 2012 VMAs is one of Rihanna's most underrated hairstyles.

MTV Europe Music Awards, 2010

Rihanna at the 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards. (Credit: Courtesy of Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Rihanna's Loud album ushered in her bright red era and we're still not over it.

American Music Awards, 2009

Rihanna at the 2009 American Music Awards. (Credit: Courtesy of Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

She rocked undercuts like no other and this honey blond one was the perfect addition to her pink eyeliner.

Paris Fashion Week, 2009

Rihanna at Paris Fashion Week in 2009. (Credit: Courtesy of Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The star dominated Paris Fashion Week early on in her career with this curled version of the style she wore on the Rated R album cover.

MTV Video Music Awards, 2006

Rihanna at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. (Credit: Courtesy of Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

A then 16-year-old Rihanna looked stunning with loose curls and a side part.