Nicole Kidman's Most Stunning Hair Looks

Like many Hollywood A-listers, Nicole Kidman has experienced her share of dramatic hairstyles over the years. Throughout the '80s and '90s, the Australian actor appeared — both in character and on the red carpet — with gorgeous, natural red-tinged ringlets. However, after starring as the scarlet-haired Satine in 2001's "Moulin Rouge," a character whose hair is as famous as her voice, it seems Kidman's hair made a dramatic shift. Soon, her go-to look was a long, sleek mane. Years later, the actor spoke to Australia's Who magazine about her regret over this choice. She claimed that the treatments and hot tools required to keep her hair straight ended up destroying her natural curl pattern. "I wish I had my curls back," Kidman told the outlet (via Hello!).

Based on photographs of the star post 2020, it seems Kidman has since returned to her curly roots; at least when she's not attending a major event. Nevertheless, Kidman continues to rock all kinds of hairstyles and hair colors, from straight to curly, red to brunette, and even platinum blonde, giving women over 50 tons of endless hair inspiration. And, like many celebrity women, she also isn't afraid to be honest about her penchant for wearing wigs. Because we love her styling creativity, we're excited to dig into some of her best ever hair looks. 

Nicole Kidman's curls have always been a topic of conversation, ever since her debut several decades ago. Her natural curls look so great, particularly in throwback shots, where she is seen sporting natural makeup and rocking high-waisted mom jeans. It's the quintessential late '80s vibe. Of course, Kidman herself has admitted it took a while for her to appreciate her natural ringlets. She once told People that fellow Aussie actor Russel Crowe celebrated them. "The thing you hate about yourself tends to be the thing that everyone likes about you. Russell [Crowe] always says, 'Nic, just wear your hair curly and leave your glasses on. That's how you look best.'" 

Kidman became synonymous with red carpet beauty in the 1990s, and no better was that shown than in her iconic 1991 Oscars hair. The star looked absolutely radiant that evening with her natural curls styled in a loose, easy updo at the top of her head that left her gorgeous, golden spirals falling to the side. 

In 2007, Nicole Kidman attended the Oscar's in a red, fitted Balenciaga gown that featured a bow tie at the neck, with a red train. The iconic red dress would eventually go down in red carpet fashion history, but it was also Kidman's hair that really tied it all together. She wore her strawberry blonde locks totally straight, giving the look a sleek, contemporary edge. Kidman's hair choice for this event was a perfect one; the dress was daring enough that simple, polished hair complemented the overall effect without overpowering it. Plus, the warm, pinkish tones in her hair really popped against the crimson gown. 

Nicole Kidman has often returned to curls throughout her adulthood, and even though she shared that she struggled with her natural hair style as a younger person, she's obviously embraced her locks over time. On Instagram in March 2023, Kidman posted a candid shot of herself sitting outside in a blue dress, with her hair its traditional strawberry blonde color, and her hair falling in bouncy curls past her shoulders. The look was a lovely one; Kidman's styling was relaxed, evidenced by the casual pose, and her loose, full curls amplified the easy contentment of the scene. Judging from the evident health of her hair, we also have to push back on her previous statement that she destroyed her natural curls. They look like they're back in spades! 

In March 2024, Nicole Kidman took to Instagram to debut a look that left fans absolutely stunned. Instead of long, Botticelli-like curls, Kidman embraced big 2024 short hair trend: a shaggy, textured bob in platinum blonde with face-framing pieces. Kidman's hairstylist, Adir Abergel, shared pics of the actor's new 'do on Instagram alongside the caption: "New vibes while in Germany." Kidman's edgy look worked perfectly with the oversized leather jacket she wore, and the lightness of her hair made a striking contrast against the jet black of her attire.

The 2021 Golden Globes saw Kidman adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols and participating in the ceremony from home. But that didn't stop the star from going all out with her glam for the evening. For the occasion, the star compiled her reddish-colored tresses into a complex-looking up-do that seemed straight out of a wedding magazine. Complete with a black headband and a long, black halter gown, the star looked like a straight up renaissance painting. In a now-deleted Instagram story showing off the look, the star wrote, "Some glam for the evening. Boy have I missed this."

At the 2024 Met Gala, themed "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," Nicole Kidman chose Balenciaga yet again. She opted for a black and white gown that was recreated from a 1950s, flamenco-inspired gown created by Cristobal Balenciaga. Kidman wore white opera gloves and, aside from a diamond bracelet, kept other accessories to a minimum. For the ocassion, Kidman kept her hair simple and wore it parted down the middle in loose, breezy waves. The middle part gave her hair a contemporary feel, as did the undone finish, which worked perfectly alongside such a structured, conceptual gown. She kept her hair relaxed and casual, so that the dress could really shine.