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All the many hairstyles and hair colours of Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson Hair - Hairstyle & Colour Timeline

Spoiler: Brunette isn’t her natural hair colour!

By Chelsea Tromans

Beauty Crew Contributing Editor / August 22 2018

As Melanie Griffith’s daughter, Dakota Johnson has had more than her fair share of time in the public eye. So, as you can imagine, she’s well-versed on how to impress on the red carpet. She's also had decades to find that perfect balance between having a signature look and always evolving her appearance to keep things fresh.

When we think of Dakota Johnson, her curtain fringe and messy bed-head brown hair come to mind first and foremost. A look that’s not too far from her career-making character, Anastasia Steele from the Fifty Shades of Grey movies.

You may be surprised to learn that she hasn’t always been a mousy brunette with long hair. She used to rock blonde locks, regularly sways between wavy hair and dead-straight hairstyles, and has played around plenty with her hair length. But that fringe – it’s her thing and she’s sticking with it.

Here are all the many, many hairstyles and hair colours she’s worn over her 20+ years in the spotlight.

Like mother, like daughter

Where: Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party

When: 23 September, 2004

Just 14 years old at the time, attending Hollywood’s top parties was all part of being the daughter of two actors. Notice that side-swept long fringe – it’s always been in her repertoire.

Blonde and beachy

Where: Fox TV comedy night screening

When: August 26, 2012

Fast-forward eight years and her locks are even lighter. Her blonde, beach-inspired waves are a far cry from the Dakota we know today, but we have to say we're big fans of this softer look on her.

Natural blonde

Where: Tommy Hilfiger West Coast Flagship grand opening

When: February 13, 2013

While you'd be forgiven for assuming she’s a natural brunette, her colourist, Tracey Cunningham, revealed in an interview with Refinery29 that Dakota Johnson's natural hair is actually dark blonde. It’s not too surprising given how equally incredible she looks as a blonde and a brunette.

Edgy bronde

Where: Paris Fashion Week - CHANEL Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014-2015

When: July 8, 2014

This is when Dakota started dabbling in the dark side. We love the warm-red brunette tone with sun-kissed highlights and the sharp edges in her bangs.

Bleached blonde

Where: London Fashion Week

When: September 14, 2014

Just when it looked like Dakota was about to go full brunette, she did a full 180 and went extra light. This is the blondest Dakota has ever gone. Her blonde-all-over colour and natural texture is giving us major 'girl next door' vibes.

Her brunette debut

Where: 2014 LACMA Art + Film Gala

When: November 1, 2014

2014 was full of hair colour changes for Dakota. She went from dark with sunburnt highlights, to bronde to very blonde, before finally landing on this chestnut brown hue.

Sleek ponytail

Where: 87th Annual Academy Awards

When: February 22, 2015

When Dakota opts for an updo, ponytails are her thing. This sleek ponytail may be effortless, but it delivers the right amount of elegance for a red carpet event.

The messy bob

Where: 'China: Through The Looking Glass' Costume Institute Benefit Gala

When: May 4, 2015

Since going brunette, Dakota Johnson’s hair colour changing ways were put on hold. Instead, she tried new hairstyles, including this sweet bob. Note the first glimpses of messy texture starting to make an appearance…

The glossy lob

Where: People's Choice Awards 2016

When: January 6, 2016

Does anyone ever not look good with a lob? A grown-out version of Dakota Johnson's short hair look, we love how laidback this hairstyle looks on the actress.

Bouncy, barrel curls

Where: New York premiere of 'How To Be Single'

When: February 3, 2016

Barely a month since her lob days, we can only assume this thick, luscious look is the work of hair extensions. Her fringe falling around her face softens her features perfectly.

Straight and shiny

Where: 2016 Costume Institute Gala

When: May 02, 2016

Straight, shiny with a wispy fringe. When you find what works for you like Dakota has, you'd be crazy not to embrace it again and again. We never tire of this look on her.

The loose topknot

Where: Fifty Shades Darker UK Premiere

When: February 9, 2017

Dakota Johnson without a fringe is a rare sight. Pinned back here, we love the carefree feels of this tossed-up topknot.

Side-swept fringe

Where: 2017 LACMA Art + Film Gala

When: November 4, 2017

By now you will have noticed that Dakota Johnson's hairstyles tend to be fuss-free and left down. But 2017 was her year of updos.

The textured ponytail

Where: 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards

When: January 7, 2018

This is how you make a ponytail look sexy. Love the kinks, love the highlights, still love her signature fringe.

Elegant updo

Where: 2018 Big Screen Achievement Awards

When: April 26, 2018

Was there ever a better advertisement for trying a fringe than Dakota Johnson? We think not. Even after all these years, she continues to show off how versatile a fringe can be. We need to all take note.

For more A-lister before and after shots, check out our favourite celebrity beauty transformations. And to find the perfect fringe for you, follow this guide to matching your fringe to your face shape.

Which one of Dakota's hair looks is your favourite? Share with us below.

Image credits: Getty

Chelsea Tromans

Chelsea is BEAUTYcrew’s Contributing Editor. She has a sweet spot for anything that claims to make skin glow and won’t leave the house without a slick of mascara. Chelsea has 10 years of experience as a beauty editor and her words can be found on BEAUTYcrew, Women’s Health, Daily Addict, The Joye and Primped.