11 Iconic Madonna Hairstyles from the 1980s,1990s to Now

Pop sensation Madonna has reinvented herself more times than we can count, with each new era revealing a whole new hairstyle to match. From her ‘80s wild child vibes to Marilyn Monroe-inspired curls (and even the occasional foray into darker hair colours), she’s always been famous for her hair.

And since the Queen of Pop turns 60 this year, what better occasion to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce over some of her best looks?

Click through the Madonna hair gallery, above, for a sneak peek at some of our personal highlights or keep on reading to learn more about each look. How many of them you can remember from over the years?

Madonna in the '80s with a messy blonde high side ponytail with a black scrunchie.

Madonna was the original side ponytail pioneer! Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Probably one of Madonna’s most iconic looks of all time, it’s only fitting that we start things off with one of her trademark ’80s styles.

Along with stars like Cyndi Lauper, Madonna took the side ponytail and not only made it cool again, but made it the hairstyle of the moment.

Madonna in 1988 with a Marilyn Monroe inspired blonde curly perm hairstyle.

Marilyn, is that you?! Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

A host of leading ladies like Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus and Kate Upton have all played dress up as Marilyn Monroe over the years, but Madonna’s short hair was the first to spark the trend with this lookalike style. Paying homage to the actress with cropped blonde curls and a slick of red lipstick, she’s a total bombshell!

Editor’s tip: This look commands lifted, voluminous curls, so a mousse is a must. Apply a handful of the Bed Head Rockaholic Amped Up Volumizing Mousse, concentrating it on the roots where the extra height is needed.

Madonna in 1989 with long brunette hair wearing a white blouse with patterned waistcoat and long beads

She hasn’t always been a blondie! Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

We tend to think of Madonna as a through-and-through blonde, but this hasn’t always been the case. The Material Girl is actually a natural brunette (who knew?!) and in 1989 she traded her platinum ‘do for something a little closer to her natural hue, rocking a chocolate-brown shade for her Like A Prayer music video.

Madonna’s dark hair gave her a more natural, fresh-faced appeal which she must have been a fan of, as she has returned to the dark side several times since!

Madonna in 1990 with her iconic Blond Ambition braided high ponytail

This look is a strong contender for best ponytail of all time! Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

How could we do a round-up of Madge’s best mane moments and not mention this ponytail of dreams? During her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour, Madonna introduced the world to one of her most iconic looks ever with her conical bra and high-impact braided ponytail.

The clip-on ponytail she wore recently sold for £12,000 at auction, so it’s safe to say the world is still just as Hung Up over this style as ever!

Madonna at the 1997 Golden Globe awards with shoulder length flipped out layered honey brown hair.

And the award for greatest ’90s layers goes to… Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Thanks to the power of the Rachel Green effect, the ’90s were all about face-framing layers and textured cuts. Staying true to the trend of the moment, Madonna accepted her 1997 Golden Globe Award for Evita with softly curled layers and a sweeping side fringe, showing off her natural beauty.

Madonna in 2007 with short curly honey blonde hair with a centre parting

The star styled her natural waves into glam curls for the red carpet. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Proving that you don’t have to have flowing locks to Express Yourself, Madonna rocked these short, bob-length Hollywood waves for a red carpet premiere.

With a chic centre parting and honey blonde hue, this flirty ‘do is super flattering look for the mother of six.

Madonna in 2009 with her honey blonde hair in a retro looking bouffant style wearing a black detailed dress

Who could forget this ’60s inspired quiff style? Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Always one step ahead of the trends, Madonna was a fan of backcombing long before the rest of us caught on to the Brigitte Bardot trend.

This sky-high bouffant and blown-out layers combo screams ’60s glam, but somehow she still manages to make it look modern and fresh. Jealous, us?! Never…

Editor’s tip: Fancy giving Madonna’s ’60s style a try? Prep your strands with a volumising dry shampoo (like the TIGI Bed Head Oh Bee Hive! Dry Shampoo), before backcombing to help boost limp locks at the roots for gravity-defying volume!

Madonna at the 2013 met ball in a dark brunette bob length wig with a blunt short fringe.

Madonna wowed at the 2013 Met Ball with this striking style! Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Never the retiring wallflower, Madonna committed to the punk theme of the 2013 Met Ball with this edgy get-up. With a sharp brunette bob and statement micro fringe, it’s safe to say Madonna with black hair is a winning combo!

Madonna on the red carpet in 2016 with long blonde wavy hair swept over one shoulder.

Lately she’s traded in her wild ’80s curls for more natural-looking kinky waves. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

As you’ve seen, Madonna is far from shy when it comes to playing around with her look. Yet in recent years, she’s traded in her wild child card for a more demure bohemian-inspired vibe.

Madonna’s long hair with grown-out roots and kinky waves makes this effortless look may be more pared back than her past endeavours but is certainly no less stylish!

Editor’s tip: To recreate these lived-in waves for yourself, prep towel-dried, freshly-washed hair with a wave-enhancing product, such as the Toni&Guy Wave Memorising Balm. Then divide your hair into sections and braid, leaving them to dry overnight.

When you wake up in the morning and take out your braids, you’ll be left with the soft, natural-looking waves that you’ve always dreamed of!

Madonna at the 2018 Met Gala with her blonde hair in two pigtail braids with a black veil and gold crown.

2018’s Met Gala theme was made for Madonna. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Another Met Gala, another hairstyle for the history books. Fully embracing 2018’s Catholicism theme, the Queen of Pop showed off her regal status with this gothic queen look. Complete with black net veil, pigtail plaits and an ornate golden crown, she ruled the red carpet.

Close up shot of Madonna with dark hair, with retro curls, wearing a floral top and fur coat with necklaces posing for photo

Don’t blame it on the sunshine, blame it on the moon. Credit: Instagram.com/madonna

The last time we saw Madonna with dark hair was in 1999 and 2013! But, it seems the recent super blood wolf moon inspired the star to switch up her signature blonde style for something more mysterious…

Taking to Instagram to showcase her drastic new look, the icon sported noticeably short dark tresses, choosing to style them into sultry, retro curls (anyone else getting Betty Boop vibes?).

While we aren’t 100% sure this look is real, like Madonna, we’re now definitely going to start looking to the stars for hair inspiration.